Aspen and Trunk Island: Putting down roots

Re/insurance company  Aspen is investing money and muscle in mangrove forests on the open-air classroom of Trunk Island. 

Aspen’s support for the Bermuda Zoological Society is helping to protect coastal and marine ecosystems which are critical in mitigating climate change

What is it: Bermuda Zoological Society 

Who is the supporter: Aspen

What does Aspen do for BZS? Aspen has donated $125,000 over five years to the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) to create a coastal red mangrove forest on Trunk Island. Aspen also contributes to the BZS’s educational Living Classroom programme.

Why does it matter? Trunk Island, located in Harrington Sound, has become an essential site for conservation, research, and education in Bermuda, a “Living Museum” dedicated to recreating the island's native biodiversity while engaging the community. With the help of Aspen’s large donation of $125,000 over the next five years, the Bermuda Zoological Society will have the capacity to continue its key conservation and education projects.

Trevor Rawson, Trunk Island Project Coordinator, shared the origins and purpose of Trunk Island: “The aim has always been to recreate an environment similar to what Bermuda would have looked like before invasive species were introduced.” 

He explained how BZS works to make Trunk a thriving habitat: “We’re clearing out invasives, planting native and endemic species, and creating pockets throughout the island that support biodiversity. We’ve got mangrove forests, longtail nesting areas, and even spaces where endemic species like Bermuda snails and skinks are being reintroduced.”

Rawson shared how funds from Aspen had been allocated: “The initial funding went into the actual creation of the seawall, and then, of course, into planting. There’s also been a specific seedling drive to create the first stock of seedlings that went into the Micro Forest Project. We know exactly what every part went towards.”

One of the unique aspects of Trunk Island is its focus on educational programmes for children. Rawson described a key class, the Climate Change Heroes course, as a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about environmental science directly in the field. 

“The kids are actually going onto Trunk Island and measuring carbon dioxide, learning about the role of mangroves in sequestering carbon. They’re physically getting to see how vital mangroves are to climate conservation,” he said. The children also participate in activities such as snorkelling around the island, building familiarity with the local marine life.”

For Adam Barboza, Aspen’s vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, these projects have a broader social impact, fostering connections between Bermuda’s communities.

“When kids explore and learn, they’re merging cultures within Bermuda. The expatriate kids meet local kids, create lifelong friendships, and mesh some of that cultural aspect, which is really important. It’s about raising awareness and providing educational access and opportunities for all.”

Aside from these educational initiatives, Trunk Island also hosts camps for conservation and aquatic education. As Rawson noted: “Some kids are learning how to snorkel and use a mask for the first time. Trunk is a safe, comfortable place for them to experience that, and eventually, they get to go out to deeper water like North Rock, where they can experience amazing free-diving.”

Community collaboration

Another critical aspect of Trunk Island’s success is the collaborative efforts that drive it forward. 

“One thing that Trunk has helped with is developing new ways of propagation,” Rawson explained. “We tried creating a peninsula two years ago — though some of it was lost in a hurricane, it allowed us to rethink and improve methods for replanting. The techniques we developed here have become intellectual property we can share, we have models for how to restore Bermuda’s native habitats.”

Rawson added: “Because of the success of Trunk, we have been able to take what we’ve done on the island and replicate it on the mainland, creating the Micro Forest project in small pockets of land across the island. 

“These areas are being cleared of invasive species and replanted with native and endemics to create pocket-sized biodiversity powerhouses. 

“Working alongside the BZS Micro Forest Project, they have begun one of their biggest projects from this year, of replanting Hungry Bay, Bermuda’s largest mangrove forest where we have planted hundreds of mangroves to help restore the environment which was previously damaged by hurricane activity. 

“Trunk Island’s mangrove forest has been a suitable location for cultivating red mangrove seedlings, which are being planted at Hungry Bay.”

The collaborative spirit touches multiple conservation charities in Bermuda. 

“People here don’t hold onto methods or keep things to themselves,” Barboza stated. “They’re open to sharing what works for a common cause. Kids might learn something at an Aqua Zoo camp and then apply it while scuba diving at WaterStart. That shared learning is vitally important.”

Rawson is grateful for all contributions, both financial and physical. “There’s the funding, which helped us with the foundation and planting at Trunk, but the physical involvement is invaluable. We’ve had about 450 hours of employee hands-on time—this saves us $10,000 to $20,000 in labour costs.”

Rawson highlighted the dedication of these volunteers, who often take on demanding tasks. “They’re not doing glamorous jobs; they’re weeding, digging in the mud, especially with the mangroves. It’s not just a quick, clean task; it involves walking across Hungry Bay, which isn’t accessible by land. For these corporate employees, it’s a break from the office, an opportunity to experience the nature they’re helping to protect,” he explained, adding: “They often say it was the best experience—even if they’re sweaty, hot, and tired.”

Long-term legacy

Barboza explained how Aspen's engagement has spurred enthusiasm among employees who now volunteer for the project. 

Rawson added: “The number of times we receive calls from organisations wanting to participate in their corporate Day of Giving at Trunk is amazing. They know what they’re doing is creating hopefully some lasting benefits, especially given the effects of climate change and rising sea levels. 

“Recognising their island’s efforts to counter coastal erosion and preserve native habitats makes it meaningful for them.”

This community spirit isn’t limited to adults; Aspen’s commitment has extended to employee families, who also participate in related educational programmes. 

Rawson elaborated on the benefits of this connection for Bermuda’s youth: “It’s a chance for kids to connect with nature, to understand what their island can offer them. Whether they pursue a career in science or business, they’ll always remember what BZS is doing on Trunk Island. Many end up supporting us, creating a circular relationship.”

Giselle Yeung, Aspen’s vice president of environmental social and corporate governance, appreciates the “educational aspect” of the partnership, which: “aligns to some of our company values and enables  our employees to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the local aquaculture and biodiversity that surrounds us. Supporting the Trunk Island project allows our colleagues to better  understand the local  environment we operate within, and how it supports our employees’ families, and  our community’s health and wellbeing.

”This focus on conservation education aligns closely with Aspen’s commitment to long-term environmental stewardship." 

Barboza explained: “This project meets many of our values and goals in terms of alignment with UN Global Compact Sustainable Development Goals, including education, life on water, life on land,  climate action and reducing inequalities. Our commitment extends over five years to ensure it has a lasting impact.”

For Barboza, Aspen’s “small drop in the bucket helps to create ripples that touch a lot of social elements and create education around environmental issues, such as the Youth Climate Summit, where kids are putting up their hands in school and saying they want to be champions of sustainability or conservation.”

A commitment to sustainability

“This contribution highlights the commitment that Aspen is making to sustainability. We don't have all the answers, but we would like to be a part of the solution and less a part of the problem.”

Aspen’s involvement in Bermuda’s environmental projects goes hand in hand with its core business focus. Barboza added: “As a re/insurance company, we’re on the front lines of climate-related issues. We see the impacts of environmental degradation probably before most, especially in property and property catastrophe insurance.”

Yeung said: “Planting mangroves several years ago and then revisiting them to observe their growth and prosperity is one method of how we measure our success: i.e. the environmental impact. Employee satisfaction – how we get our employees involved and culturally-aligned – represents another method, as measured through Aspen’s annual Employee Engagement Survey.”

Rawson added: “This year, we began planting mangroves in Hungry Bay, a site impacted by tidal wall damage and storms. With the wall repaired, the Micro Forest Project started introducing seedlings from Trunk to rebuild this ecosystem.” 

The legacy of Trunk Island goes further, with lessons in conservation being instilled in Bermuda’s next generation and a sustainable model of habitat restoration shared across the island. 

Barboza captured the essence of this approach: “It’s about giving. We continually try new methods, see if they work, and when they do, share that success. Bermuda is small, but that gives us the chance to do some incredible things on a manageable scale.”

Through this multi-faceted approach, Trunk Island continues to serve as a valuable resource for conservation, education, and community engagement in Bermuda, illustrating how a small island can create an outsized impact on the environment and inspire the next generation.

Rawson concluded by encouraging anyone interested to visit: “Seeing Trunk Island is a unique experience, a sanctuary where conservation efforts come to life. It’s vital to see how projects like these contribute to both local and global sustainability.”

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