The Ministry of Public Works and Environment is highlighting its continued investment in professional development after nine members of the Department of Parks took part in an internationally recognised horticulture training programme recently held in Bermuda.

The specialised instruction was delivered by visiting trainers from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), who were on the island to conduct an eight-day Certified Practical Horticulture course.

This initiative represents the second time such training has been hosted locally with public-private partnerships.

The Certified Practical Horticulture course was a partnership involving the Department of Parks, the Bermuda Botanical Society, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Funding for the programme was awarded through Darwin Plus Local, a competitive UK Government grant scheme that supports environmental projects as well as fellowships in the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

Horticultural training demonstrates compliance with Target 9 of the Botanical Gardens Conservation International's Accreditation Standard and plays a foundational role in the renewal of our Botanical Gardens.

The Minister of Public Works and Environment, the Hon Jaché Adams, JP, MP, said, “This training reflects a deliberate effort to ensure that Bermuda’s parks personnel are equipped with current, internationally recognised horticultural knowledge and practical techniques.

“The work carried out by our parks teams directly affects the quality, safety, and appearance of our public spaces, and that work must be supported by strong technical training.”

The Minister added, “Opportunities such as this strengthen local expertise, support sustainability, and help ensure that our parks and green spaces continue to meet the highest standards for the public.”

The programme combined classroom instruction with practical field application and was designed to strengthen plant care, nursery management, landscape maintenance, and problem-solving skills relevant to Bermuda’s climate and growing conditions.

The Ministry noted that initiatives of this kind form part of a broader strategy to build professional capacity across its departments and reinforce Bermuda’s reputation for maintaining attractive, healthy, and well-managed public landscapes.