Tucked away in the heart of Harrington Sound sits Trunk Island, a slice of Bermuda that’s evolved from a simple patch of green to a hub of hands-on conservation. Overseen by the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), the island serves as a ‘Living Classroom’, bringing together volunteers, corporate partners, and scientists to protect critically endangered species, restore native habitats, and inspire a new generation of environmental stewards.
A Jewel for Conservation Within the BZS Strategy
For the BZS, Trunk Island is a magnet for corporate and community involvement — its accessibility and unique ecosystems draw everyone from weekend volunteers to international researchers:
“Trunk Island has been a shining gem for attracting private, corporate and educational activism in conservation.” Says Rawson. “By providing an accessible landmark in the heart of Harrington Sound, Trunk has become a hub for thousands of individuals to not only experience but also contribute toward the goal of preserving Bermuda’s biodiversity.”
These community-driven efforts range from replanting native flora to monitoring reintroduced species—showing that, with collaboration and a shared vision, local ecosystems can be revived from the ground up.
Projects That Protect Bermuda’s Biodiversity
Trunk Island’s conservation initiatives all tie into each other. The reintroduction of Bermuda skinks and land hermit crabs relies on carefully restored coastal forests and protected mangrove zones.
Trevor Rawson explains that every project is designed to integrate into a single, thriving ecosystem. “For local biodiversity to thrive, the habitat restoration must blend seamlessly. The coastal red mangrove project provides a hatchery for juvenile marine species and acts as a refuge for Harrington Sound’s unique invertebrate population.”
These red mangroves don’t just shelter marine life — they capture and store carbon, protect the island’s shoreline from storms, and create a buffer for the relic palmetto forest that lies beyond.
Battling Invasives: A Collective Effort
One of the island’s biggest challenges is the near-constant invasion of aggressive non-native plant species. That’s where corporate volunteers and local members step up. From school groups to organizations like Relm, volunteers regularly roll up their sleeves to clear out invasives:. “With organizations like Relm giving of their time, it allows us to keep these important conservation projects moving forward,” says Rawson. “Having teams such as Relm visit and revisit the island shows the importance of working together as a community on large projects.”
During one recent trip, Relm’s team removed over 100 square feet of invasive zoysia grass, helping give native plants — and the wildlife that relies on them — room to grow and thrive.
Engaging Students and Weekend Warriors
Although Trunk Island is private, the BZS has made sure the community has opportunities to contribute. “As Trunk Island is a private island, the Weekend Warrior volunteer program was developed to engage members of the Bermuda Zoological Society,” says Rawson. “Through a variety of volunteer tasks, BZS is able to fulfill its goal of inspiring appreciation and care for island environments.”
This immersive approach lets Bermudians of all ages see firsthand how preserving local habitats can have wide-ranging benefits for the island’s ecology — and their own sense of community.
A Constant Fight Against Regrowth
Of course, these successes are never final. Invasive seedlings and grasses come back in waves, posing an ongoing management challenge:
As the Rawson puts it: “Annual management of regrowth, from thousands of seedlings, is the largest challenge Trunk Island faces. If left unchecked, these species will completely overwhelm any positive influence BZS has had on Trunk so far.”
It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t a one-time event—rather, it’s a sustained effort, powered by continuous volunteer engagement, corporate support, and close monitoring of the island’s ecosystems.
Measuring Success: Tracking Species, Mapping Growth
How do conservation leaders know they’re hitting their goals? For the BZS, data collection is front and center. Ian Walker dives into new-age methods used to track changes in native plant populations, reintroductions of endangered species. “We do regular drone mapping of the island to track changes to various areas such as our mangrove habitats and native and endemic forests. None of which could be accomplished without the volunteer hours from dedicated individuals and corporate teams.”
From the birds-eye perspective of a drone to the ground-level viewpoint of a volunteer, every piece of data helps refine strategies to give Bermudian wildlife the best possible chance.
The Road Ahead
As Bermuda’s mainland becomes increasingly developed, Trunk Island’s ‘Living Classroom’ will play an ever-larger role in conservation — both as a haven for unique wildlife and as a real-world education site:
“Trunk Island has always been the Bermuda Zoological Society’s ‘Living Classroom’.” Says Walker. “Its role will only become more important as less and less of our mainland remains as open space.”
Looking to the future, BZS envisions even more volunteer programs and long-term reintroduction projects that solidify Trunk Island as a cornerstone of Bermudian conservation.
Closing Words
Trunk Island proves that hands-on restoration efforts can make a genuine impact, especially when the local community, corporate partners, and scientists work in concert. Each invasive plant removed, each mangrove seedling planted, and each endangered skink reintroduced is part of a broader story — one of resilience, teamwork, and hope for Bermuda’s natural environment.
For Relm and other partners, volunteering on Trunk Island is testament to how collective, consistent action can protect an island’s biodiversity, educate its next generation, and perhaps inspire other communities to do the same.
Click here to learn how you can support Trunk Island’s conservation efforts.
