Diamonds are the traditional gift for a 60th anniversary, but the Bermuda Audubon Society has received something even more precious for their special anniversary — a gift of 2½ acres of open space in St George’s Parish.

Three undeveloped lots east of Mullet Bay Road and south of Stokes Point Road have been donated to the society by the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous.

The land will now be protected in perpetuity as a nature reserve. It includes an arable field that will remain in production.

“The Bermuda Audubon Society is enormously grateful for this generous gift made in its 60th anniversary year,” said Andrew Dobson, the society’s president.

“On our increasingly overdeveloped Island, every piece of open space is precious. By placing this land in our care, our private anonymous benefactor has provided a permanent safe haven for native and endemic flora and fauna, and a green oasis for the enjoyment of generations of Bermudians to come.”

The Bermuda Audubon Society already owns the nearby Stokes Point Nature Reserve, to the west of Mullet Bay Road.

This 3.6-acre reserve was purchased on generous terms in 1980 and includes a restored pond. It has walking trails and is open to public. The new reserve may also be open with a trail in due course.

For more information, contact Karen Border on 238-8628 or Mr Dobson on 238-3239.