A portion of Cooper's Island in St. George's is to be restored to its natural green state through the collaborative efforts of Government and HSBC Bermuda.

The restoration work will be done on two large peninsulas over an acre of land, and will help preserve critical wildlife habitat at the former NASA facility.

All structures and invasive vegetation will be removed as part of the project, with the area benefitting from landscape design and the replanting of endemic flora such as Bermuda cedars.

HSBC announced the plans on Wednesday, saying the work would be a team effort the Ministry of Environment and Sports, the Department of Conservation Services and the Department of Parks, who have agreed to stick with the project until Cooper's Island is restored to its natural beauty.

Bank CEO Philip Butterfield said: "This concerted effort has been gifted to the community as part of the Bermuda 2009 anniversary celebrations.

"Despite the economic environment, HSBC Bermuda considers this initiative more important now when funding is scarce, because time is of the essence and the restoration of our open space imperative.

"We believe it takes a collaborative effort from all sectors of the community to restore our rare and diminishing open space. Together we are going to make a positive impact on the preservation of Bermuda's authentic ecology."

Added Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney: "We in the Ministry are thrilled that HSBC has offered to put both sweat and equity into helping transform Cooper's Island into a world-class nature reserve.

"These public-private partnerships are key to protecting and enhancing our open spaces for the physical, mental and spiritual health of the current and future generations of our Island home.

"On behalf of the Government, my Ministry and all residents of Bermuda, I would like to thank HSBC for their generous contribution to Bermuda's environmental heritage."