Former Premier David Saul has stepped down from the Buy Back Bermuda committee but the Bermuda National Trust (BNT) yesterday begged him to reconsider.Dr Saul has been involved with the volunteer campaign, which raises funds to purchase land and save it from development, since it formed in 2004.But the 71-year-old said yesterday it was time to let a younger group take over and time for him to focus on exercising, playing with his grandchildren and enjoying his seventies.“After almost eight years I have decided to step down and allow a younger group to continue the work of the Buy Back Bermuda committee,” he told The Royal Gazette.“Over these years we have managed to raise almost $5 million from a very generous public and have saved some 15 acres for posterity.“I have enjoyed working on such a worthy cause and wish to thank all those hundreds of individuals, expecially schoolchildren and the many local companies, that have given so generously to this worthy cause.”Buy Back Bermuda is a collaboration between the BNT and Bermuda Audubon Society. It has bought plots of land to turn into nature reserves at Eve’s Pond in Hamilton Parish, Evans Bay Pond in Southampton and Somerset East Long Bay.BNT executive director Jennifer Gray said yesterday it was about to start its third and largest fundraising campaign and the Trust “cannot imagine not having David at the helm”.She said Dr Saul’s resignation was “very recent news” and some committee members who were off Island were not aware he had stepped down.“For our own selfish reasons, as we respect and understand David’s wish is to enjoy his retirement with family and to travel more, we simply do not want to let Dr Saul go and wish for him to continue with the important mission of preserving open space for the benefit of all.“Dr Saul’s contribution to the unquestionable success of the Buy Back Bermuda campaign over the last ten years, securing over 14 acres of open space for the people of Bermuda, has been, in no small part, a result of his dedicated leadership.“Undoubtedly, his efforts have been driven by his unsurpassed and unselfish passion, vision and energy.”She added: “I acknowledge that this may be bold but we simply do not want Dr Saul to retire from the campaign and believe that this is not just in our own [BNT’s] interest, but for the whole of Bermuda.”Dr Saul said the campaign’s success would not have been possible without the hundreds of thousands of dollars donated by international companies.“These companies and their senior officers have proved great corporate citizens of this small island,” he said. “Buy Back Bermuda would have not made their targets without their generosity.“Equally, I have to acknowledge the leadership role played by the Bermuda Government in the success of these two campaigns.”The former UBP leader thanked Premier Paula Cox and former Premier Alex Scott for their personal involvement, adding: “Both of these politicians have clearly demonstrated their commitment to saving open spaces.”Father-of-two Dr Saul said he intended to continue taking adventurous holidays with wife Christine, as well as scuba diving, fishing, playing with his two grandsons in Bermuda and visiting two other grandsons in Canada.“I guess I shall do some different fundraising for other charities as time goes on but, by and large, intend to spend more time exercising and simply enjoying my seventies.”Useful websites: www.bnt.bm, www.audubon.bm.