BNT Invites Community To Spittal Pond
The Bermuda National Trust [BNT] is “inviting the community to come out for a walk at Spittal Pond on Saturday, 27 January to see the new sign at Portuguese Rock and learn about the recently completed project to prevent pollution of the pond from the nearby dairy, “adding that “if you are willing to get your hands dirty, you can even sign up to plant a tree or two.”
“Spittal Pond has been polluted by run-off from the adjacent dairy farm for many years, especially since hurricanes damaged the fence that prevented the cows from accessing the pond,” said Myles Darrell, Head of Natural Heritage for BNT.
“Last year we secured a Darwin Plus Local grant from the UK Department of the Environment, to reinstate the fence to stop the cows getting to the pond and to create an embankment or ‘berm’ to prevent run-off of pollutants into the pond.
“The goal is to improve the health of the pond and at the same time increase the presence of native and endemic plants at the reserve. We are looking for volunteers to help plant the new berm and they will have the chance to learn more about the site’s natural history in the process.”
360° tour of Spittal Pond
The public is also invited to see the new sign at Portuguese Rock, the site of a pre-settlement inscription dated 1543.
“The shipwrecked mariners who engraved into the limestone cliff in 1543 were likely from a slave-trading vessel and the reinterpretation acknowledges this link to the Atlantic Slave Trade,” explained Dr Charlotte Andrews, Head of Cultural Heritage at BNT.
“This change was informed by a CURB-facilitated focus group with members of the community who responded to an open invite to join a group discussion about the site and its signage. Our heritage team will be on hand to answer questions about the site and its evolving story as part of the Trust’s commitment to re-imagining sites of enslavement under our care.”
The spokesperson said, “Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about the natural and cultural heritage of Spittal Pond!
“Everyone is welcome and there is no charge. Click here to sign up.
“When: Saturday, 27 January [rain date Saturday, 3 February] 10am – 1pm
- Planting Session 1: 10 am until 11 am [meet at 10 am at west car park]
- Planting Session 2: 12 noon until 1 pm [meet at noon at west car park]
“Parking: East/West Parking Lots. Additional parking on the field behind Harrington Hundreds, access off Harrington Hundreds Road.”
Read More About
Category: All, Environment, News
