Photos: BNT Annual Children’s Nature Walk
The Bermuda National Trust [BNT] hosted the annual Children’s Nature Walk yesterday [Feb 14] at Spittal Pond.
A spokesperson said, “Valentine’s Day was the perfect day for children to grow their love for nature at the Bermuda National Trust’s [BNT] Children’s Nature Walk at Spittal Pond, sponsored by Arch.
“Around 200 children, parents, grandparents and camp leaders enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air at Spittal Pond on Tuesday 14 February. They were guided in small groups to several different stations in the reserve, where they learned about its different habitats and cultural features from local experts.
A 360° panorama tour of Spittal Pond
“This annual event is so important as it gets children outside for a couple of hours in a natural space, which enhances their learning and their attention span and connects them with nature so that they might become good stewards of the environment,” said Dr. Dörte Horsfield of BNT, who talked to the children about pond life.
“Mahtorrie Wilkinson of ‘Camp Pioneers’ said that her campers had a wonderful time and that the walk was peaceful, very informative and eye opening. She liked the hands-on approach to learning – children were allowed to use magnifying glasses, refractometers and binoculars. They had so many questions and were very much engaged.
“The 64-acre reserve is one of the Bermuda National Trust’s most spectacular open spaces held in trust for the Bermuda community. It is Bermuda’s largest bird sanctuary providing a diversity of habitats and an amazing variety of birds, especially during the migration seasons. It is also a very important cultural heritage site, with Portuguese Rock, the oldest evidence of humans on the island, and Jeffrey’s Cave, where an enslaved man was said to have hidden from his enslavers for several weeks.
“Dr. Alex Amat from the Bermuda Zoological Society gave insight into the different salt levels in the large and small ponds. Dr Miguel Mejias and Erich and Janice Hetzel of the Bermuda Audubon Society talked to children about birds and helped them observe them through scopes and binoculars.
“Dr Kim Dismont Robinson, Director of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, told the story of Jeffrey’s Cave, and Dr Charlotte Andrews talked about the significance of Portuguese Rock. Dr. Robbie Smith, curator of the Natural History Museum at the Aquarium, explained the geology of the “checkerboard” rock formation and the natural forces that shaped our island.
“Spittal Pond is owned by the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Government owns the surrounding parkland. Those interested in more information on Spittal Pond or private tours can contact education@bnt.bm.”
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