the great outdoors GoingGreen Connecting with nature

Spending time in the natural world and preserving Bermuda’s cultural heritage are just some of the draws that Myles Darrell discovered while working in the outdoors.

His role as head of natural heritage at the Bermuda National Trust (BNT) often doesn’t feel like a job, but continues to help him fulfil his purpose. It’s not just about working in the outdoors but also preserving the Island’s open spaces, to be enjoyed for generations.

“I’ve always felt this draw to the outdoors,” he says, “and I felt like it was the space I would have the greatest impact. I always felt like I wanted to do something that would foster the change that we all want to see in our community. Being that I had this love of the outdoors, I saw this opportunity to create the change and become a more sustainable Island, it felt like a good fit.”

His days are varied, which has suited his self-described ‘short attention span’. On one day he might be working with students through the BNT’s eco-club, or planting endemic trees and clearing out invasives at any of the Trust’s many nature reserves. Other days he might be delivering insight to corporate groups on the importance of conservation and the Trust’s mission. That mission is to preserve and protect Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage. The BNT strives to achieve this through reviewing planning applications to encourage less negative impact on our natural spaces, raising awareness if there are concerns with current developments, and advocacy work around the Island’s heritage value. But it’s spending time outdoors and the opportunities that it provides that brings Myles the most joy.

“My perfect day is spending the whole time outside, working with Bermudians trying to better our natural heritage in our nature reserves.”

He adds: “I love to be able to share in the joy of what I do, and watch other people smile and find success and achievement creating the conditions conducive for our native and endemic flora and fauna.”

“Working with the Trust is such a good fit. I work with great people and enjoy the collegial dialogue around conservation work. The passion that exudes from my colleagues is infectious.”

While a lot of his downtime is spent working on conservation passion projects, Myles is well known for his love of gardening and his enthusiasm for trees.

“I’m a botany lover and trees are my big draw; I think they’re absolutely amazing and I don’t think we’ve unlocked the full understanding of their capacity.”

He finds as much time as possible to travel the world in search of the world’s most unique trees. He has travelled to India to see the largest tree in the world, has measured Kauri trees in New Zealand, studied Wollemi Pines in Australia, and desert trees in North Africa and Chile.