Veolia Orchard has enriched playgrounds nationwide since 2022, enabling biodiversity to flourish in over 500 school grounds across the UK. Students in more than 11 schools across Shropshire have joined this initiative to develop long lasting environmental habits and improve their local area.
Veolia’s nationwide orchard now stands at over 1,500 apple and pear trees and 1,900 strawberry plants, with each of the 500 schools joining an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning.
This year’s saplings all stem from the same mother trees growing apples or pears at Grow Fruit Trees’ nursery in Kent. The 50 new seedlings have become a part of Veolia’s family tree, alongside 10 strawberry plants across 11 schools in Shropshire:
- Darwin School
- Buntingale Primary School,
- Bryn Offa Church of England Primary School
- Newcastle Church of England Primary School
- St Andrews Church of England Primary School
- Broseley Church of England Primary School
- St Edwards Church of England Primary School
- Derwen College
- Coleham School
- Clunbury Church of England Primary School
- Kinlet Church of England Primary School
Veolia Orchard aims to connect children with nature, achieved even in the most urban settings with strawberry plants provided for schools with smaller outdoor spaces. Each school that has taken part in the project has joined an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning.
Veolia Orchard aims to connect children with nature, achieved even in the most urban settings with strawberry plants provided for schools with smaller outdoor spaces. This spring, Veolia’s hands-on planting events have guided students through proper planting techniques and how to care for their orchard correctly. The sessions help children understand how their orchard benefits their school by enhancing their green spaces and gaining access to fresh locally-grown fruit.
The schools have been supplied with peat-free soil conditioner and topsoil by Pro-Grow, helping to preserve valuable peatland habitats and prevent the release of stored carbon, supporting Veolia Orchard’s carbon-neutral goals.
Donald Macphail, Chief Operating Officer UK Treatment at Veolia said: “I am proud to see the Veolia Orchard initiative bringing tangible environmental benefits directly to Shropshire’s communities. Each fruit tree or strawberry plant not only enhances local biodiversity but creates green space that will benefit residents for generations to come. The response this project has received from schools across the country shows just how important green initiatives are to our local communities.’’