I found this fallen Frangipani flower on a footpath at the Botanical Gardens last night and I was told that the Frangipani (Plumeria) collection has been there for more than 25 years. I'm embarrassed to admit that I never realised how amazing these flowers smell and also that they look even more spectacular underneath than they do from above. I hope that you find the time to go visit the Botanical Gardens this weekend and that you find something just as breathtaking.

Have a great weekend! I shall leave you with some (slightly modified) lyrics from Joni Mitchell's song "Big Yellow Taxi"

"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot hospital."

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 03:46 PM | Permalink

The Bermuda Hospitals Board has added a Frequently Asked Questions section on their website regarding the new acute care hospital.

Despite their previous claims that it will cost approximately 500 million BDA dollars and their decision that they will not have enough money to rebuild it on the existing site they are now saying that they do not know how much the new hospital will cost.

Please tell me I am not the only person who has fallen off their chair after reading this!

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 04:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks to Scentia Jones from Bermuda College for sending in her photo

I'm thrilled to have over 1300 unique visits to the main page of this blog in just one week but if we are going to save the Botanical Gardens we need more people to show the Government of Bermuda what they want. Please send your picture to me at with your name and why you want to save the gardens.

If you're not taking part in the Botanical Guardian's "Virtual March" or showing the Government how you feel some other way then they will think that you don't care.

By joining the virtual march you are simply saying you don't want the new hospital built in the Botanical Gardens. You are not saying you don't want a new hospital. We need more people marching and we don't have much time!

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 12:55 PM | Permalink

Tom Vesey wrote a great piece in the Bermuda Sun last week and I have finally found the time to blog it :-)

The people are the most effective opposition
From gay rights to the hospital plan, your protests are far better than mine

When ordinary citizens don't like what's going on - or what's not going on - they usually roll their eyes and say: "Well, what can we do?"

They often fear (with justification) that they will be pounced on quite savagely if they speak out. Their motives are challenged, their credentials assailed, their racial biases and allegiances questioned.

So they shut up.

They get tired of standing up publicly against authority, and of trying to organize support, which is especially difficult in a small place like Bermuda.

Or else people think the Opposition can handle their complaining for them: It's what they're paid to do.

But an Opposition is ignored for that very same reason - its criticism is devalued because it's so predictable. No matter how accurate, the criticism is always self-serving: The Opposition wants to make the Government look bad, and win the next election.

And of course, when the people are silent the Government happily assumes the public backs them, or at least doesn't care enough to cause much trouble.

Which is why the people are far more effective than Oppositions, or columnists, if only they can be persuaded to speak up.

And keep speaking up until Government hears the voice of the people, and starts to take it seriously.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 10:43 AM | Permalink

Don't destory our special gardens

For almost 50 years, the Sensory Garden at the Botanical Gardens has provided a haven of tranquillity for Jean Howes, who is completely blind. Now, 80-year-old Mrs. Howes and other members of the blind community are facing up to the fact that plans for the new hospital will mean the loss of the garden that they love.

KEMH will be ‘land bank'

Environmentalist Stuart Hayward has accused health chiefs of failing to be transparent with the public about future plans for the current King Edward VII Memorial Hospital site.

Abandon Botanical Gardens plan

UBP Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert last night called on the Government to abandon its plan to build a new $500 million hospital in the middle of the Botanical Gardens.

Botanical Gardens was third choice, says BHB

The Bermuda Hospitals Board initially favoured building the new hospital at the Arboretum, but this was vetoed by Government.

Recent letters to the editor of the Royal Gazette:

A disastrous decision
September 1, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am horrified but not surprised to learn of the proposed plan to build the new hospital on part of the existing Botanical Gardens. The President of the National Trust has already spoken out against the proposal. I find myself in complete agreement with him. I also agree with his statement concerning the mockery that this makes of sustainable development. We have to accept the need to build a new Hospital and soon. I agree with the decision not to build on the current site. That for a variety of reasons this is not a good idea, and I concur with that. Having said that let me now identify myself, by providing credentials to support the statements that I am about to make.
1. I am a Bermudian by Status (early 1960’s).

2. I arrived in Bermuda from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to take up the position as Reforestation Officer, Department of Agriculture in 1956. I served some 15 years with the Department. During that time I became the first Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens when the name was changed from the Public Gardens Ag. Station.

During my period of service, a valuable part of the Gardens was taken to construct the current hospital. In fairness to the current Government, I must state that the UBP were the Government then. When Government purchased the Camden Estate, which was a sound move, I was responsible to the Director for planning and supervising the merger. If this current proposal becomes fact, it will have a very severe impact on the present Botanical Gardens facility and operation. It must be understood that a priceless part of our heritage will be lost and make its definition as Bermuda’s Botanical site ridiculous.

The promise of returning the current hospital site to the Botanical Gardens is in my humble opinion nothing more than an attempt to placate the critics of this proposal. The loss of land together with the current buildings and other facilities on an already restricted site, linked with having to reconstruct them for both Exhibition and Ministry of the Environment administrative use will severely impact on the holding of future Agricultural Exhibitions and the accommodation and development of Plant Collections. Great credit must be given to the staff, past and present, who have fine tuned and made maximum use of the current site to develop the Gardens. We must also be mindful of the financial outlay needed to achieve this.

Now I ask the question, why here? I suspect that the answer that will be given can be contained in one word. “Cost”. But then this begs me to ask the question, but what about environmental cost? We are being told that other sites were considered and then they were rejected, but very little else. I firmly believe that the intention to build on the Botanical Gardens was the aim from the outset. It is an easy solution but in my view a disastrous one. May I suggest that if another site had been chosen, then the current Hospital site could have become a valuable asset to assist in filling some of our acute Housing needs. As the author of the recently published, “Bermuda Flora from the Roadside”, I comment that in the future that this might be the only place where visitors and locals alike will be able to view our rich botanical legacy, or maybe they will build on that also? In total disgust,

REVD. DON MOORE
Pembroke

Letter to the Editor:

Try this and save money
September 7, 2006

Dear Sir,

Surely no one disputes the need to provide acute care at our hospital for the very ill. To keep up to date we will always need to add improved equipment and special facilities. Yet many who spend time in our hospital need simple rest and nursing care to heal.

Sustainable development would surely suggest we recycle the original old KEMH building site to provide a new purpose built special care until next to our present facility. There are many years of sound structural life left in our present hospital, constant minor upgrades and maintenance will make it quite suitable for a broad range of the more straight forward needs. Even a brand new facility will require upgrades.

The above approach will save hundreds of millions of dollars, be quicker to get on line and will preserve our beautiful Botanical Gardens. We can operate a few more air ambulances to deal with very serious illness using the many wonderful options that exist on the US east coast.

Consultants will always suggest that a total new facility is the best answer by far and it is no doubt more lucrative for them. As a taxpayer with some experience in these matters I see it from a different perspective. Let's see some costing on these options and share the results with public who will have to fund it.

MILES OUTERBRIDGE
St. David's

Rethink hospital plans
September 12, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am writing on behalf of my son who is three years old and all future generations of Bermudians to implore you and our leaders to rethink building the new hospital on the Botanical Gardens or any other precious open space that is zoned as protected land. I understand that this decision is not an easy one as we have so little land in Bermuda left and that this development is important for all Bermudians, but if we allow this building on protected land now, what is to stop other protected open space from being used for an "important" development in the future?

I am shocked by the attitude of Senator Burch and Minister Patrice Minors. "Get over It". Is that what one says to Bermudians who are concerned about the future? You are Ministers because we the people voted for you. We should be telling some of you to "get over yourselves" and stop being so self serving, but most of us won't stoop that low and show such a lack of respect.

It isn't just land that we are losing. Over development will eventually effect our health and the health of our children. Over development means overpopulation. We can barely handle the amount of people we have now. We can't handle the amount of cars. Is the Government going to start enforcing emission controls and other environmental safeguards for the health of Bermudians? It's not just a bunch of crazy tree huggers who want a little thought and restraint when it comes to development. It is common sense. When you take away land you don't get it back.

Last night I went to an art opening at the Masterworks gallery. All of the children were running around in front of Camden laughing and playing. They all go to different schools, Elliot, Saltus, the Bermuda Institute to name a few. They were free and happy and I couldn't help but think how we take open space for granted. It simply makes us feel better to be outside without buildings and concrete surrounding us.
I realise that there is no easy solution but I can't believe there isn't a more creative solution. Bermuda has so many talented architects and designers. Can't we look at the old hospital site and think about renovating in stages? Please rethink this project. The Government is setting a very bad precedent choosing to build on protected land. Not to mention the Botanical Gardens is used all of the time by Bermudians.

LISABET OUTERBRIDGE
Flatts

Environment in crisis
September 15, 2006
Dear Sir,

The following was submitted to the Public Meeting on Sustainable Development with specific reference to the environment:

"The environment is in crisis – more so now than ever before. Sustainable Development for Bermuda, while overdue, is commendable and the environmental organisations in Bermuda embrace and encourage the opportunity to effect good change and include the WHOLE population.

The talk about sustainable development is just that at the moment – talk. Meanwhile, the rash of non-affordable condo complexes continues.

Actions speak louder than words and both political parties have paid lip service to the environment. Rather than increase the funding for purchase of open space – the funds have been reallocated thus squandering the opportunity to preserve Bermuda's remaining available open space.

With $1.6 billion to spend in the next two years the government needs to allocate a significant sum of money to purchase the remaining open spaces before they are forever consumed by development.
Will the government commit to significantly increase the funds made available to purchase land BEFORE the sustainable development plan is put into place?

WILL the PLP government compensate for development rights, where the UBP refused?
WILL this government commit to preserve ALL of the Botanical Gardens and not resort to the undemocratic vehicle of the Special Development Order used too often to circumvent the planning process?

WILL the government direct more realistic resources from the annual budget to the chronically under-funded environmental and conservation services?"

So shortly after that meeting we now have the answer to one of the questions and I fear the same answer for the remaining three questions. Now is the time for the WHOLE COMMUNITY to get involved. Whatever the cost of redeveloping on the existing site, it is an acceptable long term cost.

The present government has a dismal environmental track record peppered with arrogance, deafness and blindness. However, it seems that the PLP are being treated for their ailments elsewhere.

Perhaps the UBP will see the wisdom of listening to the general population and commit to redeveloping the existing hospital site IF they get elected in 2008? In fact, if they commit to rescinding the outrageous political pay rises at the same time they can contribute to the difference in development costs!

"We shall have to repent in this generation, not so much for the evil deeds of the wicked people, but for the appalling silence of the good people." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

So, please sign petitions, email your MPs and don't let the Botanical Gardens become another casualty of short-sightedness.
IAN MACDONALD-SMITH
Hamilton Parish

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 08:18 AM | Permalink

Last week I was walking around the gardens with my camera and I happened to come across this group of young girls. I stopped to talk to them about the possible loss of this national treasure and they were very concerned about it. One of the girls exclaimed to me that there were "so few places left in Bermuda where you can go to relax" while another girl expressed that she would "feel sad if the gardens vanished because they are so beautiful".

I'd like to encourage more young Bermudians to get involved with saving the gardens. So this post is mainly directed at all you youngsters out there.

If you like the Botanical Gardens you can do lots of things to help save them. You can get your class at school to take part in the Virtual March and ask them to write letters or e.mails to the Premier. Tell your friends to look at this website and ask your parents to help too. Just because you are not old enough to vote yet doesn't mean your feelings don't count. It's YOUR future that is going to be affected by this decision and our Government needs to know how you feel too.

I would like to thank the girls who I met in the Botanical Gardens last week - they texted me all their names but unfortunately my phone erased them before I wrote them down.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 05:50 PM | Permalink

Philip Cook

If you are passionate about saving Bermuda's Botanical Gardens you can help by encouraging everyone you know to join the Virtual March on this website. First take your own picture holding up your sign (saying "save the gardens or something similar) and show it to your friends and then ask to take a picture of them. Send all the pics to and if possible include names. It doesn't take long and you can even use the camera on your phone if you have one.

You should also send your photo, along with your opinion in an e.mail to the Premier!

Here's some ideas for getting more folks marching (providing they want to save the gardens!):

1) Stick your sign on the door to your office or your office cubicle and ask your colleagues to have their photo taken next to it. Some folks may take more persuading than others so be sure to have some "positive reinforcement" up your sleeve!

2) Take your sign to church or to a party and take pictures of people holding it there.

3) Stand in the street and ask people - I don't expect many to be brave enough to do this but if you're up for it - you could get A LOT of people marching with you to save the gardens!

4) Take pictures of several people at a time so that they feel less camera shy.

Thanks
Lisa

Why not stick a sign up on your office door and ask people at work to join the march

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 04:46 PM | Permalink

Stuart Hayward insisted that Sustainable Development should include no building on parkland. He also pointed out that presently the BHB intends to own the green space to be gained from the existing KEMH site and that they would have the opportunity to build on this land in the future.

[please read Part 1 below first] ... Right so where was I? *flicks through notes...* Ah yes! - The BHB admitted that this project could well cost up to 1 billion dollars (I feel like Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movie when I say that).

Someone asked why the Pembroke Marsh site was rejected and one of the architects stated that the marsh goes down 600ft and that in order to build on that site you would either need to put piles into the marsh that extend down to that depth or float the entire construction on top of the marsh. Both options push the price way over the budget. It was stated that the cost of using piles which extended a mere 60ft on one overseas site was 100 million dollars (not sure if that was US or Canadian currency but you get the picture).

In response to the Department of Parks not being consulted Anthony Richardson said that they had consulted with the Ministry of the Environment through several meetings with the Permanent Secretary (Wayne Carey). Several members of the public erupted with laughter at this point. I wasn't sure why exactly. Perhaps it had something to do with Wayne Carey's public reputation.

A member of the public pointed out that the existing KEMH site is zoned industrial and in order to convert it back to protected parkland there needs to be a government mandate. They also asked how the BHB could guarantee that this will happen. Several similar "promises" that the Government has made in the past were referenced during these meetings. I got the feeling that most people are tried of hearing promises like this.

Anthony Richardson explained the process for which this decision went through Government. First the BHB made their recommendation to the relevant Government Ministers (these being Patrice Minors (Health) and Neletha Butterfield (Environment). Patrice Minors was the "chief" of the proposal document. The document was then passed onto other Ministers (like the Minister of Finance). These Ministers were all required to sign the document and state whether they agreed with it or not. Then the document went to Cabinet where they considered objections from other Ministers and a final decision was made (now re-opened by the Premier don't forget!) based on everyone's input. This entire process is confidential and it is not possible to find out who agreed to what.

I have heard through the environmental grapevine however, that Minister Neletha Butterfield strongly objected to the proposal to build the hospital in the Botanical Gardens.

After Mr. Richardson explained that the Cabinet were fully responsible for the decision making someone yelled out "WHERE ARE THEY NOW?".

Judith Wadson stood up and said that her great Aunt was involved with creating the garden for the blind and that is was such a peaceful place and asked the BHB to "please leave it alone". She suggested solutions for ways in which the open space could be preserved and one of these involved using beds at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Center while there is construction at the existing KEMH site. She also suggested using the former hospital in St. Davids.

It was stated several times over the course of the meetings that there are many hospitals, which are redeveloped in cities on the same site (such as the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia).

Several folks also suggested using a hospital ship while there was demolition and construction at the existing site.

Anthony Richardson responded to Stuart Hayward's comment regarding why the BHB planned to own the KEMH site after it was reverted to green space. Mr Richardson said this part of the process was yet to be determined and that it wasn't set in stone that the land would remain owned by the BHB. I also spoke directly with Mr. Richardson after Friday's meeting and asked him about the same issue. He told me that while the BHB had suggested the land remain in their hands it was only an idea. He also said that the BHB might be able to return it to green space faster than the Government and although they could potentially use this land for another hospital rebuild in the future, if the public demanded that it be protected by a Government mandate then that might also be possible.

Eva Hodgson referenced a talk show on the TV and how they dismissed the opinions of people who were showing up to these meetings because they were 90% white. She suggested that because most black people in Bermuda live in crowded areas they are less aware of the importance of open space. Ms Hodgson was rather abruptly cut off by Mr. Richardson and could not continue making her point.

Mr Richardson later acknowledged that recent reports suggested that the BHB was catering to white interests but that in fact they intend to communicate with all groups and not be biased by who shows up at the meetings. He said that they would go out to the community (like church groups) and consult with them about this decision.

Ms. Hodgson continued to make her point on paper, which she handed to me after the meeting. She says and I quote...

"Was my comment any longer than Stuart Hayward's? It seems to me (and I could be wrong) that I was being shut up as soon as I made it racial. For me (and many others) everything in Bermuda has a racial component). On the talk show yesterday several people were dismissing the objections because they were 90% white and white folks are always attacking the Government. The black working class has been denied space just as they have been denied high paying job. This Government should not be denying them open space just because they have never had it and don't know its value!"

Eva Hodgson

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 10:11 AM | Permalink

For a detailed report on Thursday's meeting please read The Limey's account. I attended all 3 meetings and they were all different. Here's my notes:

Several people from the audience asked why the Springfields site wasn't being considered as an alternate site, which was far enough from the hospital and would cause less disturbance if construction took place there. The panel stated that a hospital on that site alone would need to be 13 stories high (235ft tall, 3 times the height of the Cathedral). They mentioned that the site plans were only concepts and that they were not the final plans and that the existing site plan already included Springfields.

I asked why an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had not been done for this major development. Their answer was that they would do one in due course (even though that wasn't my question - I wanted to know why they skipped that before deciding on the BG).

We were told that the Government took the Arboretum off the table due to access difficulties in that area and that they were given a 500 million dollar limit by the Government. This left the Botanical Gardens as the only option since rebuilding on the existing site would cost too much.

This response has made me wonder why the Government gave a 500 million limit on this project and how come the BHB team came up with a site in the BG to match this limit exactly? Could they have made it any cheaper? What if the Government gave them a 400 million dollar cap? Would that have been able to save the extra million needed to rebuild on the existing site? Why do we need a hospital that costs that much?

Hmmm - perhaps I don't understand the costs after all!!

Several people raised the issue of reverting the existing site back to green space. The BHB had no answer regarding how they could assure us that this would happen. They said a Government mandate might be possible.

Apparently dust will affect the Botanical Gardens even if they don't build on it. Still though I'd rather have a dusty Botanical Gardens for a while than no gardens at all!

Several people asked "Why was the Botanical Gardens ever an option at all?". The BHB had no answer and reminded the public that their job is not to defend the decision but to explain the process in which the decision was made.

I asked where the Government was and when would they answer these questions. The BHB had no answer.

Several people who worked at the hospital spoke out against the decision during all 3 meetings.

part 2 later... it's 2:30am and I may be THE MOST FANTASTIC BLOGGER THAT EVER LIVED... but even I need sleep! :-)

Friday's meeting was not as full as Thursday's meeting but the turnout was still pretty impressive

Members of the BHB and the design companies fielded questions and listened to what the public had to say - it was good to see that they were taking notes too!

At the end of the meeting several members of the public asked further questions directly to members of the panel. These more intimate discussions went on for at least 20 minutes after the meeting had finished

Members of the opposition also spoke with the public but John Barrit said he was just there to do the right thing and wanted to avoid politicising the debate

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Click on "more photos from the Botanical Guardians - Virtual March" in the side bar to see everyone who is marching for the gardens so far. Please with your photo!

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 06:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks to Global Voices for mentioning this blog! ;-)

You can see that visitors to this site are coming from all over the world in the map on the sidebar. Since Thursday the 21st of September there has been 862 unique visitors to the site.

Don't forget to tell your friends!

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 04:31 PM | Permalink

The following pictures were taken after Thursday's BHB meeting at the Bermuda College. If you would like to join the Virtual March please get your picture taken with your own sign and to me with the picture attached and a few words about what the Botanical Gardens means to you - I'll post it here!

Alternatively you can join the Flickr group Botanical Guardians - Virtual March and the pictures you submit will be instantly added to the Flickr badge on this web page. Why not make a sign and take pictures of your friends and family holding it?

I would especially like to encourage Bermudians living overseas to take part in this since they wont be able to attend any of the public events soon to be held.

Big thanks to those who took part in this spontaneous virtual march!

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 01:10 AM | Permalink

The following was taken from an e.mail written by Toby Butterfield:

Many of us have gotten used to feeling powerless about things in this country and, oh look, here's another thing to make us mad. The decision to destroy a third of the botanical gardens to provide a site for the new hospital is ludicrous. That park is worth far more that the extra millions or the extra 3 years that it would take to use the existing site. I mean really! How can they expect us to ever see this as a good idea? It's true that we haven't heard the full explanation for the decision. If their reasons are so convincing then why is it taking them so long to present them?

The good news is that we aren't powerless. Why? Think about it? Can you think of a single person who agrees with this decision? The quantity of opposition will be the key. This is what we should draw hope from. When was the last time there was an issue that could unite SO MANY people in Bermuda? Really? We all feel the same way, and that should empower us to express ourselves like never before. We can easily make it so that we cannot be ignored on this one. If you have wanted to believe in the power of the people before but you haven't dared, dare now. This one we can win.

What can you do? Here's some specific ideas:

Write to your MP. (The addresses are on , Limey in Bermuda)
Write to Patrice Minors pkminors@gov.bm
Write to the Premier ascott@gov.bm
Write to the BHB (e.mail address currently not working)
Write to the paper and ask the paper to keep a tally and report the number of letters received.
See if your employer or church or child's school will get involved.
Get kids to write letters.
Use the botanical gardens more (ask your employer, or church or child's school to use it).
Get creative, think outside the box and come up with your own initiatives.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:08 PM | Permalink

Bermuda Hospitals Board today announced that both the remaining open house meeting will take place at the North Hall Auditorium at the Bermuda College to accommodate larger numbers.

Bermuda College, Friday 22 September, 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Bermuda College, Saturday 23 September, 10.00am to 11.00am

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 03:20 PM | Permalink

Me and my Mum on Charles Island last year

Well I thought it was about time I put my face and real name up here. I hadn't intended to make this site about me in any way but so many people have been asking who is behind this site. My name is Lisa Vickers, I am a Bermudian environmental activist (I sometimes work for Greenpeace), a biologist and a therapist for children with Autism. I am a member of ECO (Environmental Coalition) in Bermuda but I do not represent any particular organisation on the island.

I was born at KEMH where I have also had my tonsils removed (at age 4) and my road rash scrubbed with a steel brush (at ages 19 and 22), received emergency treatment for severe bronchitis (at age 27) and had X-rays done (at age 28). My Mum died at KEMH last year.

I fully understand the importance and need for a new hospital and I am not comparing this with the need for a Botanical Gardens. I believe we can and should have both.

For me personally saving the Botanical Gardens is not so much about the plants and the trees or even the open space... it's about preserving an indispensable part of Bermuda's identity. Additionally our Botanical Gardens provide many essential functions for our community and they are a major tourist attraction.

I am not writing this blog because I am a treehugger. I am writing it because I am a BERMUDIAN!

Botanical gardens are a vital resource for people because they fulfill human needs on so many levels, including cultural, aesthetic, scientific, and spiritual ones. They are an essential resource for any civilized society, not just as a recreational or green space but also as a cultural experience and a repository of scientific knowledge. I don't think any country in the world has ever destroyed a significant part of their national botanical gardens!

Initially when I heard about the gardens as one of the potential sites for the new hospital I was complacent about it because environmentally, I am a lot more concerned about Bermuda's native and endemic biodiversity and natural open spaces. However, after giving it further thought and talking to fellow Bermudians I have come to the conclusion that we can not afford to lose this place!

I must confess that having walked around the gardens recently I noticed that they do appear to be in a rather poor state, partly due to the effects of recent hurricanes and partly perhaps due to mismanagement. However, the collection houses are impressive and the grounds have a lot of potential. The proposed area for the new hospital is actually the BEST PART!

Everyone who feels passionate about saving the gardens needs to become active. We can't let the government think that the opposition is mostly white UBP supporters who live in Paget. Please encourage all the people you know, whatever their political affiliation, to express their opposition. We need to avoid this becoming a politically biased issue. Personally I am not a supporter of either parties.

Me in the Botanical Gardens with Johnathan who has Autism and loves the Sensory Garden

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 08:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Check out the Government's own blog, which has called for comments regarding the new hospital issue. This is an ideal place for everyone to express their opinions.

Be sure to state how "informed" you are/ if you have been to one of the recent BHB meetings.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 01:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Bermuda Hospital's Board meeting this evening was packed out with hundreds of people who turned up to express their opposition to the destruction of the Botanical Gardens. The north auditorium at the Bermuda College was not big enough for everyone and there were many people who were unable to fit inside! After the meeting, Anthony Richardson from the BHB agreed to have Friday's meeting in the same place so please be aware of this change and encourage your friends and family to go along.

It was a very interesting meeting and I will post a full summary of it tmrw. I just want to thank everyone who signed the petition outside the meeting. There are 143 signatures (most with phone numbers and e.mail addresses) on this just from tonight's meeting alone. Thanks to Sheelagh Cooper for organising this at the last minute. It will go into a much larger petition, which is currently being formalised by various people.

I would just like to remind everyone that the Premier has extended the period of public consultation regarding this decision. We have another chance now to express our opposition to this plan and I think we should seize it. Please get as many people involved as you can, especially those people who use the Botanical Gardens on a regular basis. This is not just an open space issue... the Botanical Gardens provides many essential functions for our community and is an indispensable part of our identity in addition to being a major tourist attraction.

The Limey's notes from this meeting
"Public Packs First Meeting" - A brief article in the Bermuda Sun about Thursday's meeting.
Capacity crowd opposes plan to use Gardens - Detailed overview of Thursday's meeting in the Royal Gazette

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tadpoles in the Sensory Garden

If you have any photos of the gardens, especially those taken of areas where the new hospital might be built - please join the Flickr group "Save The Gardens" and add your photos to the pool.

Sharing your pictures will help raise awareness about about what is at stake. If you are not already a member of Flickr - click here to sign up for a free account.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Despite the BHB saying they want to "hear everyone" - their e.mail address is unfortunately not working.

I just got sent this:

Delivery to the following recipients failed.

info@bermudahospitals.bm

I have contacted them through their website and have requested they let me know when it is working or give me an alternative address. I'm waiting to hear back from them.

[Edit - You can now e.mail your comments and questions to the BHB using the following address: MEDIA@BermudaHospitals.bm]

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Bermuda Hospitals Board announced today that it would move its first open house meeting to the North Hall Auditorium at the Bermuda College to accommodate larger numbers. Friday and Saturday’s meetings will remain at the First Floor Conference Room at KEMH.

The first meeting is being moved to a larger venue to accommodate the interest groups who have been urging their membership to attend the meetings. It is hoped that most people will be able to come to the first meeting, but the subsequent meetings will remain. The meeting will last one hour as previously planned.

· Bermuda College, Thursday 21 September, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
· KEMH First Floor Conference Room, Friday 22 September, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
· KEMH First Floor Conference Room, Saturday 23 September, 10.00am to 11.00am

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 12:38 PM | Permalink

Download "The Green Lung of Paget – the Bermuda Botanical Gardens - Why We Must Work Together To Save It" By Val Wallace here

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

The Sensory Garden is just one of the areas destined for demolition

This is an open thread for anyone to express their feelings about the planned destruction of Bermuda's Botanical Gardens or ask questions about this website. Please click on the "Comments" link below to do this.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 09:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (27)

Be sure to read the article in today's Royal Gazette Govt. may drop hospital plan

A plan to rebuild King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in the Botanical Gardens is not a fait accompli and the door has been left open for a possible u-turn, Premier Alex Scott revealed last night. But that will only happen if it is proven that the people of Bermuda are resolutely opposed to the building of the new hospital in the centre of the park as was announced at the end of August, he said.

It should be noted that the Premier did not reveal the possibility of a u-turn during the meeting but spoke with the Gazette reporter after the meeting was over.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 08:52 PM | Permalink

In the summer of 2005, Bermuda Hospitals Board presented its vision for sustainable, quality healthcare to the Bermuda community at three town hall meetings. Building a new acute care hospital was a vital part of this vision and three concepts were presented at three different sites: the Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens and the same site as the current acute care hospital, KEMH.

These three sites represented a shortlist of a number of other locations that had been reviewed, including Pembroke Marsh and Government house.

Click on the link to read more from the BHB website.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 08:29 PM | Permalink

Check out the latest response from the National Trust

The Trust has also provided some good advice about how to take action:

We believe this issue to be of paramount importance to our community. If you have any concerns regarding the Government’s announcement that the new acute care hospital site will be in the Botanical Gardens please contact the following: The Premier, your local MP, the Minister of Health and Family Services, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Sustainable Development Unit, the Sustainable Development Round Table, the Leader of the Opposition and the media.

***E.mail addresses for the Premier and most local MP's can be found here***

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 08:09 PM | Permalink

This is a weblog which has been set up for the dissemination of information regarding the campaign to save the Botanical Gardens. There are lots of people who want do something and pretty soon there will be a bunch of stuff on this site including ways in which everyone can get involved. Hopefully several people will be posting on this site and I encourage all of you who are reading right now to submit comments.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board are holding meetings, regarding this issue, in the conference room on the first floor of KEMH on:

Thursday, September 21st at 6.30pm, Friday, 22nd at 5.30 pm and Saturday, 23rd at 10 am

If you want to raise your concerns about the Government's decision these meetings will be the perfect opportunity for you to do that.

Please check out this site over the next few days for other ways in which you can get involved.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 06:48 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

The Bermuda Government has recently announced that they intend to build the new hospital on 30% of the Botanical Gardens. This will see an end to most of the interesting parts of the gardens including all of the collection houses, a large amount of open space and plenty of old trees from all over the world.

Any plan to build on open space goes against the Sustainable Development Strategy for Bermuda, which the government plans to adopt. It also sets a precedent for disregarding protected land in the future.

The Sustainable Development Round Table released the following on September 5th:

The members of the Sustainable Development Round Table (SDRT) fully understand th need for a new hospital. We recognise the issues of time and space, and the conflicts involved with every possible site. In addition, we understand the rationale behind the decision by the Government and the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) to build essentially in the same location.

However, we firmly believe there is an alternative to concreting over even one single square foot of the Botanical Gardens and we will press the case for this alternative.

First, though, we need to look at the consultation process leading up to the last week's announcement.

One of the primary roles of the SDRT is to ensure that the voice of the public is heard and, more importantly, that the views of the community are taken into consideration with respect to major issues
that impact the principles and spirit of a Sustainable Development Plan for Bermuda. We are not entirely clear on the extent of consultation that was considered before the Government made its announcement. However, what is clear is that public consultation prior to this New Hospital decision was insufficient.

As evidence of this, there are questions that would normally arise during a thorough consultation. Many of these questions are as yet unanswered because the public has either had no opportunity to ask
them, or no opportunity to hear and respond to the answers. A host of questions now being asked in the community include:

* Where are the professional analyses and reports about the hardships of constructing on the existing hospital site? The public will want an opportunity to examine them.

* Was an environmental impact assessment done, taking into consideration all possible sites for the New Hospital?

* If not, why not?

* If yes, by whom?

* What was their consultation process and outreach?

* And where is their report?

* On what are the estimates of construction and reconstruction based?

* Do the estimates include the relocation of the existing twenty
buildings on the Botanical Gardens site earmarked for the New
Hospital?

* To where are these buildings being relocated?

In the brief time since last week's announcement we have learned of hospital upgrades, renovations and reconstruction projects on both sides of the Atlantic, where new construction is taking place on site
while the old facility continues to operate. We accept that these procedures present challenges but nowhere are the challenges insurmountable.

The New Hospital development will be the largest capital expenditure made in the history of Bermuda and as such demands full public disclosure. The support and commitment of the Bermuda public is critical. This support will not be gained through public relations exercises and statements that may have been cherry-picked from analyses the public has had no opportunity to see.

Lasting support comes from soliciting public views on this project, then providing extensive opportunities for those views and responses to be shared, considered, challenged if necessary, and adopted. More than a public relations exercise, this has to be a consultation initiative carried out sincerely and openly.

We note with disappointment some statements from the BHB/Government that have attempted to paint this as an issue of healthcare versus environmentalists. Such cavalier divisiveness is unacceptable. Weremind the Government that the BHB's own presentations last year brought forward construction at the existing site as an option. It is unconscionable for the Government or the BHB to derogatorily label those who favour its own option either as environmentalists or as anti-healthcare.

Bermuda's Government committed itself to open and transparent consultation when it launched the Sustainable Development Initiative - it cannot now abandon those principles. It is paramount for the
overnment to honour their commitment to both the Sustainable Development and to the people of Bermuda.

The Sustainable Development Round Table
SDRT@logic.bm

Contacts:
Malcolm Butterfield, Chairman, Sustainable Development Round Table, 294-2609
Stuart Hayward, 295-4334
Amanda Outerbridge, 294-7173

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:48 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

The Botanical Gardens in Paget is one of Bermuda’s major attractions. It is a mix of park, woodland, greenhouses, agricultural buildings and horticultural collections. It is a Bermuda National Park under the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986.

The 35-acre landscaped park contains hundreds of clearly identified flowers, shrubs and trees, including a vast collection of subtropical fruit, orchids, hibiscus, an aviary, banyan trees and a garden for the blind.

Many trees produce scented flowers that fill the air with perfume.

The Botanical Gardens is the site of the Annual Agricultural Exhibition, when local farmers, school children and amateur exhibitors bring out their produce, flowers, handicraft and baked goods to compete. This 3-day event takes place in late April each year and fun for the whole family.

http://www.bermuda.com/attractions/botanicalgardens/
http://bermuda-online.org/gardens.htm

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 08:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)