A law firm, a primary school and commercial trucking business were honoured at the Bermuda National Trust (BNT) award's ceremony last night.

Mello Jones & Martin, Elliot Primary School and Darren DeSilva of Green Machine Bermuda were some of the many individuals, organisations, groups and schools praised for protecting Bermuda's natural and cultural heritage.

Mello Jones & Martin took home the highest honour- the Silver Palmetto Award for providing BNT with years of legal services to protect the Island's sensitive lands and buildings.

Andrew Martin, Partner at Mello Jones & Martin, said: "We are proud to have received the Silver Palmetto award as a reflection of our support for the aims of the Bermuda National Trust.

"The organisation works extremely hard to protect and promote Bermuda's natural and cultural heritage and we're delighted to have assisted them with legal support to help preserve lands and buildings for the benefit of Bermuda."

According to BNT Director Jennifer Grey, the legal advice in the last eight years alone exceeded $180,000.

Elliott Primary School won the 2010 Michael Darling Shield for encouraging its students to harvest flowers, vegetables and herbs, as well as care for butterflies. They were praised as the Island's first 'green school' after embarking on a Green Project organised by Greenrock.

Mr. DeSilva was given an environmental award for developing Bermuda's first water trucking business run exclusively on vegetable oil.

Other winners included honorary life membership award recipients Diana Chudleigh, Sharon Vesey, Jim Smith, Molly White and Bill Holmes.

All five provided BNT with outstanding service including volunteering for their Historic Buildings Survey of the 1980s and 1990s or donating land to the Buy Back Bermuda project.

Long serving volunteers like Laura Butterfield, Dana Goodfellow, Pamela Langton and Patsy Phillips were honoured for more than 20 years of community service.

While long serving staff members like Pansy Pitcher, who was a dedicated worker for over 25 years; and Saleem Madyun, who remained committed to the Trust's mission for more than two decades were highlighted.

Mr. Madyun works in the horticulture department and said of his service: "It's a labour of love. The conditions are very good and I enjoy contributing each day and helping to make an impact in society. It's like family working for the Trust," he added.

Anson Nash, Keith Whiting and the late John Pitman were praised for building a 24 foot wooden rowing boat, known as a gig, from scratch.

The vessel was christened 'Memory II' after 'Memory' the last vessel of its kind believed to have been built in Bermuda.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering was awarded for the careful removal of 20th century additions to Fort Victoria. While the Department of Parks was handed this year's Clipper Award for its restoration of Fort St. Catherine, the Martello Tower and Fort Scaur.

Other recipients included Robin Marirea who propagated rare Bermuda native and endemic plant species and Keith Rossiter for caring and maintaining bluebird boxes at Tucker's Point Club.

J-P Rouja of Bermuda's Look TV was presented with an awareness award for his documentary 'Riddle of the Crest'. While Devonshire Preschool was given the 'Wee Environmentalist Award' for helping youngsters transform the school with sensitive plantings, gardens and benches made from reused industrial materials.