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.
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.
The fifty new strawberry plants have become a part of Veolia’s family tree, across five schools in Westminster:
St. Saviour’s C.E. School
The St. Marylebone CE School
St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School
Halcyon London International School
Wilberforce Primary School
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.
Pascal Hauret, Municipal Managing Director at Veolia said: “We’re very pleased to bring positive change to the local community in Westminster through our Veolia Orchard project, which reached more schools than ever this year. This initiative exemplifies Veolia’s dedication to building a greener, more sustainable future across the country by increasing biodiversity and inspiring positive environmental practices in young people.’’
Cllr Ryan Jude, Cabinet member for Climate Action, Ecology and Culture said:
It’s great to take part in something like the Veolia Orchard, to see young people engage in some hands-on sustainability, and to learn about the importance of biodiversity and its role in Westminster’s environment. It is wonderful to see students increasing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world.
We know that young people are going to be the ones that will have to continue our work in addressing the ecological emergency which we declared in 2023. It is vital that we continue to work with our willing partners such as Veolia in vital areas such as this, as reflected in our most recent Greening & Biodiversity Strategy.”
The Veolia Orchard scheme will return again in autumn, with the launch of the new school term. Schools will be able to apply for their own orchard or strawberry patch and join the hundreds of schools already enjoying the fruitful benefits of their plants.
▁
