The Mitcham Community Orchard and Gardens project transformed a derelict site into a community resource for all, providing an orchard of fruit trees and bushes, a garden and wildflower meadow, 100m of native hedgerow and natural wildlife ponds.
The Orchard is looked after by a team of enthusiastic volunteers who manage its habitats, host public events and run education sessions with local community groups.
In 2016, Living Wandle funded an attractive, durable interpretation panel with information for visitors about the wildlife they might spot in the ponds.
The funding also went towards purchase of a projecting stereo microscope to capture video and stills of wildlife in the pond, which is used during education sessions with local schools, community groups and after-school clubs.
This project is part of the wider Living Wandle Landscape Partnership Scheme, funded by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
