Bermuda College students express their support for the gardens from Inside one of the massive banyan trees

I found a class of students from the Bermuda College today in the Botanical Gardens. They were on a field trip and they asked me to tag along. I learned so many things about the gardens that I did not know before. It was as if I was a child all over again, learning things about nature for the very first time.

DID YOU KNOW: All hibiscus flowers only open for one day and at the end of that day they close and die. Each hibiscus flower you see is a completely different flower from the ones the day before!

I didn't know that and it took me a while to get my head around it. I had always thought that these flowers simply open and closed each day.

I saw a plant that attracts flies (for the purpose of pollination) by smelling like rotting flesh. I also discovered a tree that had exploding fruit together with a sausage tree that didn't grow sausages but may in fact be a cure for cancer. I found gorgeous purple passion flowers, cotton plants with soft fluffy seeds and some bizarre looking cacti - to name only a few!

Continue reading "Well I never knew that!" »

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:59 PM | Permalink

Caitlin got over 100 people to join the Virtual March

Dear all,

I know a 13 year old might not make a difference, but what’s the harm in trying? When I first heard about a third of the Botanical Gardens being demolished, I thought that nothing could be done, and it would just be another large step to making Bermuda more of a concrete jungle. But then I was inspired. I heard about this ‘Virtual March’ and knew that I might actually be able to make a difference. I went to school the next day, digital camera and ‘Save The Gardens’ sign in hand, and took pictures. I was amazed at how all of the BHS students wanted to take a part, and in 40 minutes I had 46 pictures of over 100 people.

I really hope that they will not build the hospital in our magnificent gardens, and will continue to do all I can to prevent it. It is such a tragedy that our adults are prepared to take away one of few green spaces we have left, and that us, the children, will have to live with it the rest of our lives.

Thank you to all my fellow students who let me take their picture, and to Ms. Nash without whom I would not have pursued this.

Caitlin O’Doherty

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Posted by Botanical Guardian at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)