Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is asking schools and educational settings in South Wales to sign up to receive free fruit trees to create their own orchards to help teach children about nature when they re-open.
The Fruitful Orchards Project aims to equip educators with the skills they need to be able to establish a small orchard, manage it and use it as a learning resource.
The project provides opportunities to improve children’s connection with nature while also increasing biodiversity by creating new habitats with food for birds and insects in mostly urban areas.
Schools and settings in the Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr and Bridgend areas, with enough room to plant up to five fruit trees, are asked to complete an online form to register their interest by 31 January 2021.
Along with free fruit trees, eligible schools and settings will receive training to help them maximise the learning and experience opportunities that their new orchard will offer.
Nadia De Longhi, Operations Manager for NRW, said:
“This project is a great example of how we can support and facilitate learning in, about and for the natural environment.
In December, pupils at Fairfield Primary School in Penarth planted an orchard of five apple trees in their school grounds.
Before planting the pupils made a tree planting plan and had everything they needed on the day to safely plant the trees.
Now the trees are in the ground the school’s Eco Committee will look after them.
Councillor Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration for Vale of Glamorgan Council said:
Schools and educational settings can sign up to the project by visiting https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/south-central-wales/fruitful-orchards-project
