While much of the necessary work has been completed to its historic buildings, there is still a great deal that needs to be done to the charity's nature reserves, Trust Director Steve Conway said yesterday.

"A year later, we have completed most of the work that had to be done following the damage caused by Fabian," said Mr. Conway. "During the weeks after the hurricane we focused on the essential work ? getting roofs on to makes homes habitable, and restoring our museums to as they were before the storm. We still have some key jobs to deal with and some long-term plans to implement in the nature reserves that have been prompted by the devastation on September 5, 2003."

Twelve of the Trust's 54 historic buildings received severe damage during Hurricane Fabian, a Category Three storm. Much of that damage was witnessed at Verdmont Historic House Museum. The Smith's Parish property had part of its roof blown off. And window and door damage caused water destruction to the three-storey building as well.

Buckingham, Reeve Court, Bridge House, Tucker House and Samaritan's Lodge were among the other damaged Trust properties, although to a much lesser extent. As well, Spittal Pond and Paget Marsh saw extensive uprooting of trees and plant damage and a 200-year-old tamarind tree which for many years served as a landmark at Waterville, the Trust's head quarters on Pomander Road, was completely destroyed.

"On our historic buildings we have completed the restoration work to the 15 buildings that were damaged ? with the exception of an external porch to the 18th-century Bridge House in the heart of St. George's," said Mr. Conway, adding that there were plans to see the porch rebuilt in the next month.

"The work to the buildings has not been too much of a challenge, thanks to our insurance coverage. Our two historic house museums at Tucker House in St. George's and Verdmont in Smith's, actually look better than before the storm as a complete interior refurbishment has been carried out, mostly through our volunteers ? we welcome visitors to come by and see how they look in the post-Fabian condition.

"It is hard to visualise the hard work that went into to the recovery after Verdmont was flooded by the rain after the hurricane. We still have the stump of the old landmark tamarind tree at Waterville in Paget as a reminder of what happened last year and to keep us on our toes for any future storms. Looking back we were very lucky not to have received more damage to the Trust's historic buildings considering the force of the storm."

However, he said, restoring the nature reserves had not been as easy a challenge ? largely because they are not covered by insurance.

"We have had extraordinary expenses in tree work and clear up since September 2003. Essential trails have been opened at Spittal Pond thanks to Government's Parks Department. Paget Marsh, Gladys Morrell Nature Reserve, Gilbert Nature Reserve and the other sites have been cleaned up, but we have still have a lot to do.

"As most people know, Spittal Pond suffered extreme devastation and we are currently working with the Parks Department to formulate a long-term plan to restore the site as Bermuda's premier coastal walk and bird sanctuary."

Only recently, he said, the Trust had received a generous donation to assist in that restoration. And he expressed his hope that the community would assist in dealing with some of the work still required at the nature reserves including the removal of the invasive Brazil pepper ? back stronger than ever since Hurricane Fabian.

"This will enable us to jump start the long-term plan for the site. We plan to go back to most of the nature reserves for a second fix with our landscaping crew after the first sessions were done in the weeks and months after the storm.

"Similarly, Hurricane Fabian caused damage to several of the historic military cemeteries. The Long Island Boer War and Yellow Fever Cemetery was particularly badly damaged when casuarinas blew down across the site. Thanks are due to our volunteer, Andy Bermingham, who has ensured that the walls and the Boer memorial have been rebuilt."

As to this year's predictions of a surge of storms, Mr. Conway said the Trust was "watching and hoping for a break this year".