A personal note: It's not just about saving open space
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
Comments
YOU GO GURLLL!!!!!
Posted by: Philip Cook | September 28, 2006 11:05 PM