Twenty-five number crunchers spent the day on Monday digging up invasive plants in a nature reserve.

Employees of the Bank of Bermuda partnered with the Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Audubon Society and Department of Conservation Services to remove invasive species from Tivoli North Nature Reserve, in Warwick, as part of their Community Day of Action.

Over the course of the two-day project staff members have pledged to cull half of the woodland at the reserve. They removed invasive species such as the Brazilian Pepper tree and replanted endemic trees.

Bank of Bermuda CEO Philip Butterfield said: "The sustainability and maintenance of the environment is an important issue, one that affects everyone.

"In being part of this Community Action Day, which focuses on the environment, we are not only planting seeds literally but figuratively as hopefully we bring awareness to the importance of our environment and the need to protect it for the future."

The 11-acre Tivoli North Nature Reserve was donated to the National Trust in 1983 by Gloria Higgs. Trust director of development Kathleen Keane said it was important to rid the nature reserve of invasive plants.

"These plants were generally brought in after a hurricane because back then people were very focused on ensuring that the Island was lush and green for tourists," she said. "So they would plants lots of Brazilian Peppers which would grow very fast and very tall. But then, because they were so tall, they were the first things knocked down when another hurricane came.

"We have calculated that it costs $15,000 -$20,000 to clear one acre because removing these plants is very time consuming. So we greatly appreciate it when companies like the Bank of Bermuda assist us by volunteering their time.

"The National Trust is a small organisation so we rely heavily on volunteers."

This was the second project the bank has tackled since the Community Action Day programme began last year. Under the programme, staff members are given half a day every year to volunteer for a charity that focuses on the community, environment or education.

Earlier in the year 100 bank employees volunteered to visit retirement homes over five days and socialise with seniors. The next project will take place in December when staff members will partner with students from five middle schools and visit the Bermuda National Gallery's exhibit of modern African American art.