Fondes Amandes in vanguard to protect the St Ann’s environment

The people of Fondes Amandes may not go to Washington, or be asked to speak in International Fora, but when Washington asks what small island people in Trinidad are doing to help themselves, Fondes Amandes can stand up to be counted among those (including Surrey Village Lopinot Protect-ors of the Environment) who care, who work to protect the natural environment that is the foundation of all life on earth.

Here in Fondes Amandes, is a prime example of what people, ordinary people, can do for themselves – and for others.

They are leading by example, planting in the wet season, defending the young trees in the dry season, seeing a spring reappear decades after some thought it had dried up forever. Seeing wildlife return to their corner of the bush, so close to Port-of-Spain.

Since the project began in 1997, Government and Corporate sponsors have seen their grants of money to the project were well-spent, see the tangible results in the trees growing on what, in ‘97 had been a hillside bare of all but lastro.

School parties with children of all ages visit the project and learn; some help to plant trees, most are reluctant to leave after what is for many their first visit to the bush, their first sight of native trees, flowering and bearing fruit.

But the Fondes Amandes Re-Forestation Project has done much more than educate children (although the first step to preserving the environment is to teach the young to appreciate their beautiful native land and to protect it).

By planting trees the Project prevents erosion on the slopes, protects the Fondes Amandes Watershed – and, therefore, water resources, and controls flooding on their steep hillside.

The people of the Fondes Amandes Community Re-Forestation Project have earned the right to celebrate the opening of their Resource Centre, a centre to teach the young necessary skills – and to respect the environment. Long may the Fondes Amandes Community Re-Forestation Project and the Resource Centre flourish!