Annual Awards

The Bermuda National Trust Awards

We present these awards annually to celebrate individuals, organisations, groups and schools that have worked to protect and promote Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage, or whose work has enhanced Bermuda heritage awareness or understanding.  

We invite everyone to nominate worthy people, projects and initiatives.

Sponsored by Butterfield & Vallis.

Heritage Education Awards

Awarded to educational institutions (preschool through college) for projects, programmes or initiatives that demonstrate conservation or other care of Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage.

Heritage Education Impact Award (Michael Darling award)

The Bermuda National Trust’s top award for a school’s contributions to protecting and promoting Bermuda’s natural and/or cultural heritage. The award was established in honour of Lt. Col. Michael Darling who served as the Trust President from 1977 to 1979 and from 1982 to 1984.

Wee Heritage Education Award 

Awarded to a preschool demonstrating exceptional commitment to heritage initiatives at their school, appropriate to the age and developmental level of the students.

Natural Heritage Awards

Awarded for positive impacts to Bermuda’s natural heritage through conservation, advocacy or education.

Nominations are invited in this category for protecting, restoring or advocating for the natural environment; for inspiring appreciation and awareness of Bermuda’s natural heritage; research that adds to our understanding of Bermuda’s natural heritage. 

Natural Heritage Impact Award (Bermudiana Award)

Bermuda National Trust’s top award for outstanding contributions to Bermuda’s natural heritage. This award was established in honour of Mrs Patsy Phillips, MBE, who served as Bermuda National Trust President from 1990 to 1993 and was a staunch advocate for Bermuda’s heritage.

Outstanding Young Environmentalist Award

Presented to a young person in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Bermuda’s natural heritage for a considerable length of time and who has been consistent in this regard. This person must be less than 26 years old by 31 December of the year preceding the nomination. The award was established in honour of world-renowned conservationist Dr David Wingate, who was a founding member of the Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda’s first Government Conservation Officer and established the Cahow conservation programme.

Heritage Awareness Award (DeForest Trimingham Award)

The Bermuda National Trust’s top award for projects, programmes or initiatives that serve to inspire appreciation and stewardship of Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage. The award was established in honour of DeForest ‘Shorty’ Trimingham in recognition of his love for and commitment to Bermuda’s heritage.

Cultural Heritage Awards

Awarded for positive impacts to Bermuda’s cultural heritage through conservation, advocacy or education.

Nominations are invited in this category for renovations of, or sensitive additions to, historic buildings; conservation of heritage sites or artefacts; projects or programmes promoting appreciation or awareness of cultural heritage; research that adds to our understanding of Bermuda’s heritage. 

Cultural Heritage Impact Award

Bermuda National Trust’s top award for outstanding contributions to Bermuda’s cultural heritage.

Built Heritage Award (Rosemary Clipper Award)  

Awarded in recognition of projects that conserve Bermuda’s architectural vernacular. It may recognise historic restoration, conservation, education, promotional or political projects. The award was established in 1998 in honour of Rosemary Clipper as a tribute to her years of work on the Trust’s Historic Buildings Survey, and her love of Bermuda’s unique architecture.

Heritage Awareness Award (DeForest Trimingham Award)

The Bermuda National Trust’s top award for projects, programmes or initiatives that serve to inspire appreciation and stewardship of Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage. The award was established in honour of DeForest ‘Shorty’ Trimingham in recognition of his love for and commitment to Bermuda’s heritage.

Service to the Trust Awards

Palmetto Award

Bermuda National Trust’s highest annual honour is awarded for outstanding service to the community in areas of concern to the Trust or service to the Trust itself. This would include preservation of Bermuda’s natural and/or cultural heritage – or significant donation of time, effort and/or funds to this end.

President’s Award

Given by the President of Bermuda National Trust for exceptional service to the Trust and may not be given every year. It may be given for a single act or for an accumulation of services over many years.

Honorary Life Membership

Given by the Trust Council to persons who have given to the Trust such property, sum of money or services as shall appear to the Council that they deserve to be distinguished as honorary life members.