A 7.5 acre "virgin" plot has been donated to the Buy Back Bermuda campaign, which has lauded it as one of the largest gifts of land ever made to the Island.

Sharon Vesey officially handed over the untouched woodland site known as Skroggins Hill, in Southampton, on Friday and it will now be turned into the Vesey Nature Reserve over the next two years.

Ms Vesey told those gathered: "This land is donated to Buy Back Bermuda to be a nature reserve in perpetuity.

"We must all do what we can to preserve what remains of Bermuda's open space for its biodiversity and so that families have places where they can enjoy walking, exploring and discovering together."

Environment Minister El James and his permanent secretary Kevin Monkman attended the formal handing over of the deeds and a thank you gift of some rare endemic plants was given to Ms Vesey and her mother.

Former Premier and Buy Back Bermuda (BBB) spokesman David Saul said: "It is truly a most generous donation of property and one that will be no doubt become a popular walking spot in due course."

The Buy Back Bermuda campaign, a collaboration between Bermuda National Trust and the Audubon Society, began campaigning ten months ago to buy the plot and another green space: a 3.5 acre site near Shelly Bay.

The Skroggins Hill plot, which borders the Government-owned Evans Bay Nature Reserve and is adjacent to the railway trail, came up for sale some time ago and BBB wanted to save it from development.

Dr. Saul said: "We set ourselves a target of $2.5 million to purchase the two properties in order to eventually restore both to parkland status, remove invasive species, plant endemics like cedars, put up fencing and install pathways and signage for visitors.

"We set out to make an offer for the land. Then Ms Vesey came up with this fantastic surprise. Instead of selling the huge property — which is almost a fifth of a mile deep — to Buy Back Bermuda, Ms Vesey simply gave the property outright. We were overwhelmed at her generosity."

He said he could only think of two larger gifts of land to the country — the 20 acre Locust Farm site from the Gibbons Family to the National Trust and an eight acre plot near Coral Beach from Freda Chappel to the Audubon Society.

Bermuda National Trust director Jennifer Gray said: "It is a challenge to secure prized open space in Bermuda but to have the means to restore these spaces, now that the land has been gifted, is an opportunity that adds great value for everyone.

"By tackling the daunting issue of invasive species and making available fitting habitats for wildlife and walking trails, resting spots and interpretive signs for people, we can enhance the quality of the reserve and the experience for its visitors.

"For Buy Back Bermuda this gift is truly the finest icing on the cake and everyone gets to benefit.

"Sharon Vesey is a national hero and we hope that the message she sends through this gift is heard and appreciated by others."

Funds are still being raised to pay for the restoration and maintenance of the land and to buy Eve's Pond at Shelly Bay.

Donations can be made to Buy Back Bermuda, PO Box 61, Hamilton HMBX.