Veolia and St Albans City and District Council are asking schools to help them deliver ecological transformation by applying for a Veolia Orchard.

In 2022, Veolia, the council and their charity partners Groundwork, delivered 40 free fruit trees to seven schools across St Albans District.

The plan in 2023 is to grow this network of orchards and support more schools on their environmental journeys.

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

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Joe McIndoe, UK Partnerships Manager at Groundwork, said: “Groundwork is delighted to be working alongside Veolia to deliver the 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."

Schools can apply online at www.veolia.co.uk/veolia-orchard between now and Monday, July 24.

Successful applicants will be informed in September with deliveries taking place during October and November.