LEON LEVY NATIVE PLANT PRESERVE

A pleasant stroll through this 10-hectare reserve, protected and operated by the Bahamas National Trust and funded by the Leon Levy Foundation, fulfills the vision of long-time residents Leon Levy and Shelby White, who loved the natural environment and way of life at Eleuthera. After Leon Levy's death in 2003, Shelby White wanted to celebrate her husband's devotion to the island while contributing to a better future for all Eleutherans. In the middle of a mangrove swamp one walks along well-maintained trails and artificial water points where one discovers orchids, medicinal plants, fruit trees and others that have played their part in the island's history. Beautiful Bahamian passiflores and tabebuias and some 30 species of birds, including green herons, yellow-bellied sugarbirds (coereba flaveola), a beautiful little blue bird called indigo bunting (passerina cyanea) and the Bahamian hummingbird (calliphlox eveynae). A well-designed trail allows you to learn more about Bush Medicine, 200 species of plants and trees are listed: you will be given an explanatory technical sheet at the entrance, everything is numbered to make it easy to see. The reserve serves as an experimental laboratory for traditional medicine and an educational centre emphasises the importance of local vegetation on biodiversity. Students make functional objects and furniture that can be purchased at the entrance.