The Tribune

THE Bahamas National Pride Association believes better communities can be encouraged by the planting of fruit-bearing trees and the beautifying of abandoned inner city properties.

Since last year, BNPA director Joann Johnson has been championing the inner city tree planting project, which aims to improve the “spiritual alchemy” of Bahamians stuck in run-down areas, poverty and broken homes.

The idea is to create “a botanical oasis,” she says – a sanctuary of relief where the community can eat fresh native fruits grown in a community orchard.

Leslie Miller, MP for the Tall Pines Constituency, accompanied Ms Johnson as she launched the first Community Orchard Programme in Victoria Gardens on Gladstone Road.

“On behalf of the good people of Tall Pines, especially those in Victoria Gardens, we are indeed gratified for the assistance that Mrs Johnson and her department has given us with regards to planting trees,” said Mr Miller.

“If we can get back into getting the Sapodillas, and Soursop, the Guinep, the Sugar- apples, and Oranges, that’s a wonderful thing that we can all benefit from,” he said.

“It’s time that we look at having more green spaces in the Bahamas throughout the length and breadth of our country, to enable people to get back to nature.

“But not only get back to nature, those fruits which are now going extinct, we have an opportunity now to nurture them.”

Ms Johnson said the BNPA wants the community orchards to be co-operative efforts undertaken by community leaders, volunteers and school pride clubs.

She said the BNPA will identify “watchdog committees” to keep an eye on the new green spaces.

Ms Johnson said open lots have been identified in various neighbourhoods. She said the BNPA is confident the project will be a success.

“Our goal is to plant an orchard in every community to physically change these environments and to sustain its residents,” she said.