Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo
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BZS Micro
Forest Project
Every forest we plant helps reclaim Bermuda’s wild beauty and creates a healthier, more resilient island for future generations.
At BZS, we believe conservation does not always need a large footprint to make a big difference. The Micro Forest Project is our way of turning small, often overlooked spaces such as backyards and schoolyards into thriving native forests that help fight climate change, restore biodiversity, and reconnect people with nature. Launched in November 2021, the project uses an innovative planting method that transforms even the smallest plots of land into self-sustaining forests within just a few years. Each site is densely planted with Bermuda’s native and endemic species, creating vibrant pockets of nature that grow quickly, require little maintenance, and provide long-lasting benefits for both people and wildlife.
How Our
Micro Forests Work
Interpretive drawings by David Cox, Landscape Architect
1. Planted Differently, Grows Stronger
Unlike traditional tree plantings, where seedlings are spaced apart, in micro forests they’re planted closer together, at high densities. This encourages rapid growth as saplings compete for light, with natural selection favouring the quickest growers and thinning out the rest.
2. Rooted in Nature, Built for Bermuda
A diverse mix of native Bermuda species is carefully selected and planted in layers to mimic a natural forest. Species may include Bermuda Cedar, Bermuda Olivewood, Bermuda Palmetto, Yellowwood, White Stopper, Forestiera, and Bermuda Sedge.
3. The Results
Micro forests may be small, but they deliver big benefits. As the forest develops, it becomes:
- Up to 30× denser
- 100× richer in biodiversity
- Up to 30× more efficient at absorbing CO₂
- Reduces noise and air pollution
- Develops compact canopies that provide shade and help cool the air
- Creates habitat for wildlife and pollinators
4. Built to Last
Micro forests grow quickly. During the first few years, the young trees focus on establishing strong roots and forming a dense canopy. Between 3 and 5 years, the forest is well established and requires very little intervention. Once mature, it becomes a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports biodiversity, improves environmental health, and continues to thrive with minimal maintenance.
Success of the Micro
Forest Project 2021-2026
48
Plant Species across all sites
94%
Plant survival rate
Up to 200%
Biodiversity increase within 3 years
1,700+
Student participants in
Micro Forest educational activities
2,700+
volunteers contributed to the project
6,500+
volunteer hours spent on the project
Public Micro Forest Sites
Plot 1: Jennings Rd. Railway
Plot 2: South Shore Park
Plot 3: Flatts Public Dock
Plot 4: Coastal Mangrove – Trunk Island
Plot 5: Dalton E. Tucker
Plot 6: BAMZ Coastal Micro-Forest Site
Plot 7: Trunk Island Micro Forest Quadrat
Plot 8: Spittal Pond
Plot 9: Riddles Bay
Plot 10: Admiralty House
Plot 11: Elliot Primary
Plot 12: H&P Coastal Mangrove – Trunk Island
Plot 13: Black Mangrove Pond – Trunk Island
Plot 14: King’s Coronation Garden
Plot 15: Southampton Post Office
Plot 16: Riddles Bay Mangrove
Plot 17: Flatts Railway Trail East
Plot 18: Mullet Bay Park
Plot 19: Chaplin Bay Park
Plot 20: Warwick Park East
Plot 21: Hungry Bay Beachfront
Plot 22: SHPO East Extension
Plot 23: Flatts Railway Extension
Plot 24: Bermuda College
Plot 25: BAMZ Coastal Walkway
Plot 26: Admiralty House – Scouts
Plot 27: Bay Cricket Club West
Plot 28: Fort William
Plot 29: Bay Cricket Club East
Plot 30: Will be announced soon
Conservation and Education
The Micro Forest Project is about people as much as plants. Each site is designed to be a place, where students and volunteers get their hands dirty planting, watering, and studying their forests. With every sapling planted, they gain a deeper understanding of how ecosystems work and why biodiversity matters. Interpretive signs help tell the story of each site, while hands-on involvement creates lasting connections between young Bermudians and their environment. We’re not just planting trees, we’re growing future conservation leaders.
Community Support and Engagement
The BZS Micro Forest Project is made possible through the incredible support of the Bermudian community. The project began as a public-private partnership with RenaissanceRe as Founding Partner, HSBC as Lead Partner, and the Bermuda Department of Parks. Since inception, local businesses and community volunteers have helped bring these forests to life by removing invasive species and replanting with our native endemics. We are also grateful for support from the UK Government’s Darwin Plus Local fund, which helps protect biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience across the UK Overseas Territories.
Founding Partner
Lead Partner
ROOTED (Raising Our Own Trees Every Day)
Transform your property into a thriving native habitat and become part of Bermuda’s growing micro forest network.
ROOTED brings the BZS Micro Forest model into private spaces, empowering homeowners and landowners to play an active role in Bermuda’s ecological restoration. Through this programme, participants receive expert guidance on creating a micro forest tailored to their property, based on the proven design principles used in BZS-led projects across the island.
Participation in ROOTED is supported through a donation-based contribution that helps cover site analysis, design, and planning services. Each micro forest is carefully designed to maximize biodiversity, support native species, and contribute to a healthier environment.
By transforming small private plots into thriving pockets of native habitat, ROOTED helps create a connected network of ecological stepping stones across Bermuda. Together, these micro forests will expand and strengthen the island-wide network of BZS Micro Forests, providing greater support for biodiversity, native wildlife, and ecosystem resilience.
Join the Growing Micro Forest Network
Interested in bringing a micro forest to your property? We would love to hear from you.
Complete the form to express your interest in the ROOTED Programme. There is no commitment required at this stage. We are simply connecting with individuals who would like to learn more about creating a private micro forest and becoming part of Bermuda’s growing network of native habitats.
Contact Us
Learn About the Project
To learn more about the Micro Forest Project, please contact the Micro Forest Officer at microforest@bzs.bm.
Volunteer
Want to help us build a Micro Forest? Become a volunteer and join the effort! Contact volunteer@bzs.bm to learn more.
Become a Partner
If you would like to partner with us in supporting the Micro Forest Project, please contact development@bzs.bm.
Conservation Education
To learn more about how the Micro Forest Project supports our educational programmes, please contactedadmin@bzs.bm.