Imagine driving around the Island and seeing cedars, palmettos, olivewoods, and other endemics flourishing everywhere -- just as they did in the good old days before the cedar blight.

Wouldn't that be wonderful? Save Open Spaces (SOS) certainly thinks so -- and, better yet, the environmentally conscious registered charity is doing something about it.

Thanks to the kindness of the Bermuda National Trust, which has donated the use of one of its greenhouses, SOS has embarked on an ambitious programme to repopulate the Island with endemic and native species of trees, recreate endemic forests and participate in a tree planting scheme in conjunction with the Trust and the Audubon Society.

The long-term programme fits perfectly with SOS's mission statement, part of which is a commitment to combatting the decline of open space and the natural environment of Bermuda.

"The trouble with Bermuda today is that all of its forests are secondary forests, meaning the original growth has been cut down and replaced with invasive trees such as spice and Mexican pepper, so we really don't have very many endemic forests left,'' says SOS chairman Stuart Smith.

Citing the lush Brighton Hill property, with its thick cedar forest, as an outstanding example of what his organisation has in mind, Mr. Smith says SOS wants to see similar woodland areas created around the Island.

"Down the road we hope to work with people who own woodland reserve areas on their property which they cannot sell, and who would be interested in participating in a phased clearing of invasive vegetation, which SOS would then replace with endemics to recreate the natural state that existed when man first arrived here,'' Mr. Smith explains.

Towards that end, SOS is raising hundreds of seedlings in its greenhouse as a first step towards its long-term goals.

"We hope to produce a wide range of endemics such as olivewoods, cedars, snowberry, Southern hackberry, turkey berry and palmettos, to name a few,'' Mr. Smith says.

Seeds are now being gathered by SOS members and Miss Sarah Northcott of the Agriculture & Fisheries' Tulo Valley Nursery, but volunteers to help in this area are needed. With the co-operation of Dr. David Wingate, endemic seedlings are dug up from Nonsuch Island and repotted at the greenhouse.

With individual households in mind, Mr. Smith says SOS will also be selling the seedlings at a nominal price as part of its drive to get every man, woman and child interested in putting endemic trees and plants back into the landscape.

"Imagine if every household in Bermuda planted a cedar tree, wouldn't the Island just bloom?'' he asks. "There are just not enough trees here. Cut down a casuarina and replace it with a cedar instead.'' But why the emphasis on endemics and natives as opposed to casurinas or spice trees, for example? "Endemics are very hardy -- they are used to our climate and our salt water spray, and have survived the very worst weather,'' Mr. Smith explains. "When we had a severe hurricane, the endemics in the park near John Smith's Bay were standing strong and looking good afterwards whereas all of the invasives were severely battered and pretty well dead.'' Explaining the difference between endemics and native trees and plants, Mr.

Smith says the former are found only in Bermuda, which makes their perpetuation extremely important, while the latter were originally brought here, either by birds or tides, and have continued to thrive.

In addition to replenishing Bermuda's stock of endemics and natives, Mr. Smith sees the SOS tree planting project as part of a global responsibility.

"The earth needs trees to consume carbon dioxide,'' he explains. "We can't just consume and pollute and not try to replenish the oxygen supply through trees.

"We must be environmentally responsible. How can we expect the African and South American nations to preserve their wildlife, game reserves and jungles when we in Bermuda show a total disregard for our environment? Through the tree planting programme we hope to increase environmental awareness.'' Like all non-commercial ventures, SOS needs volunteers and funds to ensure that its fledgling project becomes a highly successful, long-term reality.

"We are looking to the public to volunteer time at the greenhouse, but they must be really dedicated and committed,'' Mr. Smith notes.

Suggesting that it would be a perfect way for retirees to give back to the Island and future generations (not to mention getting out of their partner's hair), Mr. Smith says the work includes helping to plant seeds, repot seedlings, and watering.

Administative assistance and donations of agricultural tools are also required, as are funds towards the cost of employing a part-time horticultural assistant.

"We are hoping that local companies will come forward and support this effort,'' Mr. Smith explains. "SOS initiated the project because we don't expect the companies to simply give out money. We wanted to show them that we are serious about implementing this programme. It is a long-term commitment that I believe the whole country should be behind. Everyone should be wanting to plant endemics.'' To volunteer or receive further information on this project, contact Mr. Smith at 238-1868.