Royal Gazette: Visiting scientist delivers training on invertebrate life
A visiting research scientist has strengthened the island’s knowledge base on insects and other invertebrate life.
Danni Sherwood, a senior conservation officer for the Supporting Atlantic Territories Invertebrate Conservation Project, has been in Bermuda since November 3.
She has led hands-on identification sessions and museum curation training, as well as collaborative work with conservation officials to improve local capacity to study and protect land-dwelling invertebrates, including insects and spiders.
Dr Sherwood delivered training at the Natural History Museum and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, and led workshops at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources headquarters.
Sessions covered endemic species, conservation action planning and the drafting of a national invertebrate strategy document to guide species management and research.
She shared skills ranging from protecting native species to recognising new invasive pests before they pose a problem.
Geoff Smith, the director of the DENR and an environmental scientist, said: “Dr Sherwood has provided structured guidance that will help Bermuda refine technical methods for identifying, assessing and conserving local invertebrate species.