Bermuda National Trust (BNT) president Hugh Davidson has been awarded the charity?s highest honour, the Palmetto Award, for his dedication and commitment of service in the field of museums, collections and fundraising.

The 25 awards were presented by Minister of Community Affairs and Sport Dale Butler ? who was also surprised with a preservation award for his book, ?Wooden Houses of Bermuda? ? at a ceremony at St. Paul A.M.E. Centennial Hall on Thursday.

?The Trust was pleased to honour individuals, organisations, groups and schools who have worked for the benefit of Bermuda and its people, to preserve places of beauty or historical interest, buildings, artefacts, lands and animal and plant life, and to promote their appreciation,? a BNT release said.

Sustainable Development Director Erica Smith spoke about the critical decisions that have to be made to preserve the Island and ensure our quality of life in the future, it said.

It said for the first time the top BNT preservation prize ? the Clipper Award ? went to a nautical project, with Hughie Watlington and friends winning for their restoration of the Bermuda built wooden boat, .

The Wee Environmentalist Award went to Lagoon Park Preschool for establishing a bluebird trail and enhancing their school grounds, it said, while East End Primary School won the Michael Darling Shield for creating a school garden for the benefit of the entire school.