The illustrated tale behind two of the island’s conservation havens has come to life on the walls of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

Nonsuch Island, Bermuda’s “living museum”, and Trunk Island, the “living classroom”, have been highlighted in the new exhibit, “A Tale of Two Islands”.

Nonsuch, off St David’s Island, is the home of the Cahow Recovery Project, the protected breeding ground of the Bermuda sea petrel, or cahow.

In Harrington Sound, Trunk Island is the centre of the Bermuda Zoological Society’s conservation and education efforts.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said he was “delighted” that Ian Walker, the BAMZ curator, had teamed with its staff and the BMZ to draw up the exhibits.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last month.

Mr Roban added: “These exhibits will engage our children to help them learn about our unique natural treasures and inspire them to get involved in protecting our environment.”

The exhibits employ a graphic novel style to render past and present conservation works to appeal to children as well as adults.

Stories include:

• the rescue of the Cahow from the brink of extinction, led by Bermudian conservationist David Wingate;

• the location of the Cahow to Nonsuch Island by Jeremy Madeiros, chief terrestrial officer for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

• the pioneering deep-sea exploration off Nonsuch in the 1930s by the American marine biologist William Beebe;

• The story of Trunk Island as a place where native and endemic species are being re-established and where thousands of children learn about Bermuda’s fragile environment.

Ruby Fresson, a British illustrator featured in international publications, drew the artwork, while Linda Weinraub of Studio Fluent, designed the exhibit and developed content in tandem with BAMZ staff.

It also marked the return of the Aquarium’s touch pools, allowing children to interact with marine life including molluscs, sponges and sea cucumbers.

The larger pools allow bigger groups of children to have access, and help educators to work with students.

Dr Walker said inspiration for the exhibit came six years ago when he spotted Ms Fresson’s work.

“Ruby Fresson is a world-class artist,” he added.

“Her capacity to evoke atmosphere, nostalgia and narrative is phenomenal, and we are lucky she said ‘yes’.

“Also, this exhibit would not have been possible without the vision, talent and attention to detail of our exhibit designer and co-developer, Linda Weinraub of Studio Fluent, who has spent countless hours refining and bringing our vision to life.”

Ms Fresson said it had been “unusual to be contacted by an aquarium curator and asked to draw on the walls”.

“But what a fascinating and enriching experience it has been. I have learnt much and loved working with Ian and Linda to bring this story to life.”

Ms Weinraub said: “I feel very fortunate to have worked with the whole amazing BAMZ team.

“Their creative vision, imagination, exhaustive research and writing, and so much more were the genesis and drivers behind the project.”

Donations to the BZS from Diana Bergquist, the Green family, and Cyril Rance and family in memory of Beryl Schoch, helped make the exhibit a reality, along with support from the Bermuda Government and BZS.