For many years, the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) has filled a special role in promoting the conservation of Bermuda’s environment.

The organization was established to serve as a support charity for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ), helping BAMZ to grow from strength to strength by supporting the building and enhancing exhibits, as well as developing a team of volunteers that assist the BAMZ staff in a variety of ways.

A citizen scientist helps survey reef life and coral health during the
2014 REEF Watch event, sponsored by Hiscox.

Through the years, BZS has been able to assist with the development of a number of projects, including animal enclosures, like the Islands of Madagascar exhibit, and the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital that is used for the ongoing care of animals in residence at BAMZ.

The unique partnership has also allowed for countless students to visit the facility and participate in the highest quality educational opportunities from a team of educators that is passionate about their work. Each year, more than 6,000 students attend the wide selection of science- and conservation-based classes in biology, zoology, ecology, marine and environmental science designed expressly to meet the needs of the Cambridge curriculum.

A Purvis Primary student enjoys snorkeling and freediving
while participating in Kids on the Reef, a programme run in partnership
with I AM Water and sponsored by XL Catlin. Photo by Chris Burville.

The schools programme, which is free to all schools has proven to be extremely beneficial for the students and teachers that participate in our menu of classes. Our education team has also been approached on numerous occasions to assist in meeting very specific needs at schools and as a result have been able to enhance the science programmes at such schools as Francis Patton and The Berkeley Institute.

The Education programme has also been instrumental in the development of programmes that network with other organizations. Working with I AM WATER Conservation Trust and with the sponsorship of XL Catlin, BZS has developed a 2-day class called Kids on the Reef. Through this programme, public middle school students are being exposed to Bermuda’s marine habitats through snorkeling and free diving, in a two-day course designed to provide an experience that meets the needs of the whole student.

Students from Whitney Institute participate in a class at
BAMZ exploring vertebrates and invertebrates.

Much of the work through classes and programmes like Kids on the Reef makes use of the vessel, Endurance, fuel for which is sponsored by RUBiS Bermuda, and serves as a floating classroom, transporting students across the island and serving as a base for research.

Another important task of the BZS has been the undertaking of very important conservation research projects, both by their own affiliated scientists, and supporting the work of others with similar goals.

One of the highlights on the BZS Calendar is the annual REEF Watchcitizen scientist initiative, sponsored by Hiscox, in which teams head out to survey local reefs for coral health and marine life, as well as raise funds and awareness for reef conservation, in support of the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Analysis and Monitoring (BREAM). The event will take place on June 27^th and is in its third year.

Learn more about BZS, visit our website at www.bzs.bm or follow us on Facebook. Charity # 179.

All of the work of BZS would not be possible without our fantastic members and amazing volunteers. Members, both individual and corporate, provide support to all our programming and activities, while our volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year in assisting us in providing services to BAMZ and the wider community, whether it be in animal husbandry, providing support to our education team, or through our Junior Volunteer programme.

The Bermuda Zoological Society is the Support Charity for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo.