Soldiers counter Casuarina invasion

Regiment soldiers have teamed up with the Parks Department to help clear overgrown land at Astwood Park.

A dozen soldiers used chainsaws to cut down Casuarina trees on the south side of the park over two weekends.

The initiative allowed the soldiers to hone skills that could prove vital in the aftermath of a hurricane.

Debris

Parks workers helped to dispose of the debris and now the Department hopes to replace the invasive Casuarina trees with native Cedars.

Major Dwight Robinson, the Regiment Bandmaster, told the Bermuda Sun: “This was a great opportunity for the soldiers to get to grips with using a chainsaw and clearing debris.

“We got the guys in the mindset that they were working after a hurricane strike and it worked very well.

“They learned the skills needed to operate a chainsaw and that in turn helped to clear and thin out an area that Parks needed assistance with.

“The students were also trained in site management, risk management and saw maintenance.

“This project helped the soldiers get a finer appreciation of the capabilities of the tools, and it furnished them with a life skill that will serve them beyond the Regiment.”

Clark Tear, Parks Superintendent for the west, said staff greatly appreciated the Regiment’s contribution.

He added: “The Parks Department is responsible for an ever-increasing amount of land maintenance so to receive this kind of assistance from the Regiment is a great help.

“It is something that we will look to do again in the future I am sure, as it helps the Regiment soldiers receive on-the-job skills as well as helping us keep on top of our workload.” n