Kingston schools are being encouraged to apply for a free orchard initiative which aims to support the education of environmental thinking and importance of biodiversity.

Returning for its second year, Kingston's waste collecting service, Veolia, is inviting school's across its South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton to apply for their own 'Veolia Orchards'.

Last year saw Veolia SLWP and their charity partners Groundwork, deliver 65 free fruit trees to 13 schools across the four London boroughs including Kingston.

Launched in 2022, the initiative was set up with the aim of helping students foster a deeper connection with nature whilst empowering them with the skills needed to take care of their local environments.

Acorn to Oak Nursery and Pre-School in Chessington is one of the school's who benefited from the scheme last year and have been able to use the fruit trees for various lessons with young children.

Schools in Kingston have until Monday 24 July to apply for their own orchard

Each Veolia Orchard is made up of five young fruit trees or, for those schools with limited space, ten strawberry plants which can thrive in pots and bring nature and biodiversity to playgrounds, big or small.

Pascal Hauret, Managing Director of Municipal at Veolia said: "It only takes five fruit trees to make an orchard but it takes a nation to grow a network of trees that can help us fight climate change and improve air quality for our children. In 2022, we were excited to see this new initiative take root. This year, we are overwhelmed by how successful Veolia Orchard has been and eager for this network to grow and thrive.

"With 100 schools already taking care of their trees in 2023, we encourage all schools in the South London Waste Partnership boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton to apply and help us deliver ecological transformation, one orchard at a time."

Kingston schools are able to apply here up until Monday 24 July. Successful applicants will be informed in September with deliveries taking place during October and November. The trees and plants will be accompanied by an information pack with the aim of assisting teachers with learning opportunities.

Joe McIndoe, UK Partnerships Manager and Groundwork, added: "Groundwork is delighted to be working alongside Veolia to deliver the Veolia Orchard planting project for the second year running, with this year set to double the number of schools benefitting. It's such a simple yet impactful project to provide fruit trees and strawberry plants to schools across the country. 

More children can have the pleasure of picking and eating juicy fresh food whilst sitting in the dappled shade in the summer and providing a home, and food, for local biodiversity. A handy booklet will be provided to all schools so that they can plant and care for their new trees. We can't wait to see more smiling faces as they plant their trees in autumn."