This morning Johnny Barnes was wearing green trousers in addition to a Bermudaful shirt with flowers and bright green leaves. He even had a luminous green vest under his shirt!

Thanks to everyone who made the effort to wear green today (or something close to green!). We had fun on the roundabout this morning with Johnny Barnes! I told lots of people in green that I love them and if I didn't get the chance to tell you, and you are wearing green - then let me tell you something - I really love you! Yes I do!

Click on the link below to see more pictures from today.

Continue reading "Happy Green Day everyone!" »

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:09 AM | Permalink

The following was written by a member of the public who wishes to remain anonymous

When I think that even a part of the Botanical Gardens might be lost to Hospital construction it makes me want to cry – for myself because I love the Gardens, but also for Bermuda. It is such a treasure and it would be impossible to replace these 10 acres! What I fear people don’t realize is that the Gardens are much more than an open space or a park.

Our Botanical Gardens are made up of many collections of plants that were conceived, planned, and then planted and cared for, by a number of horticulturalists and gardeners over many decades. They are the heart of a beautiful, landscaped, MATURE open space, a place to meet friends and family, renew yourself.

Continue reading "What's so special about the Botanical Gardens?" »

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lisa Talbot sent in this photo of her children Jesaiah Khyree Talbot and Jezhari Anaya Talbot. Lisa wrote:

My children deserve to have open spaces in Bermuda. They are the future of this country and we have already used up most of the natural resources so please save the gardens for them. Unfortunately we live in a concrete jungle and have no yard so, we go to the BG where we love to spend time at the gardens playing and picnicking. And of course the Exhibition and many other events that are held there are part of our history and culture that should never be taken away.

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 10:20 AM | Permalink

Thanks to Tina Nash for helping Bermuda High School students join the Virtual March. To see all the pictures from BHS click here!

Thanks to Craig Diamond for encouraging his Graphic Arts Class at MSA to join the Virtual March. To see all the pictures from MSA click here!.

All of the pictures from both schools are great but when you see this one I think you'll agree it's the most creative!!

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:47 PM | Permalink

Thanks to everyone who has sent in pictures of themselves or their children! I have just finished adding a whole heap of people to the Virtual March. Many have been waiting to join the march for a couple of weeks due to a problem with my e.mail account. I am so sorry for the hold up! Everything is working fine now.

To see everyone in the Virtual March - CLICK HERE!

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 08:38 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

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.

Continue reading "Bermudian kids love the Botanical Gardens" »

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 05:50 PM | 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.

Continue reading "A summary of last week's BHB meetings - Part 1" »

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)

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?

Continue reading "The good news is that we aren't powerless" »

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:08 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!

Continue reading "A personal note: It's not just about saving open space" »

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.

Continue reading "BHB meeting was overflowing with people" »

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:09 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 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)