Generation Wild, a movement from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) that seeks to reconnect kids with nature, is calling on Colorado’s kids to help save the bees this summer.
Generation Wild is distributing more than 100,000 free packets of Wilderflower seeds — a nod to Generation Wild’s friendly spokescreature, Wilder — and is encouraging kids and families to plant the seeds in their backyards.
Wilderflower packets are now available for pickup at local libraries and more partner locations across the state, including the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library.
This initiative aims to make our state more beautiful, more ecologically diverse and more friendly to our pollinator friends — all while rewilding Colorado’s kids.
“The Western Bumblebee population has declined in Colorado by 72 percent (CBS News), and we’re calling on kids across Colorado to ‘Bee the Change,’” said GOCO Executive Director Jackie Miller. “Through this effort, kids will be empowered to improve the environment and learn firsthand what helps our local ecosystems thrive. Most importantly, they’ll be outside engaging with nature in a fun and personal way — and Generation Wild knows that ‘Kids Grow Better Outside.’”
The Wilderflower mix was developed in partnership with Applewood Seed Co. and packets are now available for pickup at local libraries and designated partner sites.
By distributing 100,000 Wilderflower packets, Generation Wild is providing more than 56 million seeds for planting in every nook and cranny of the state. All seeds are regionally native to Colorado, which is important for sustaining the living landscape of bees, birds and other animals. Additionally, Wilderflowers use less water than non-native plants. This is especially important as we strive to conserve Colorado’s precious water resources.
According to a new report from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, 20 percent of Colorado’s bumblebees are now at risk of extinction.
Even in a small area like a backyard, planting Wilderflowers can make a positive impact on the local ecosystem and provide native bees a healthy place to live. Wilderflowers are native Colorado wildflowers, which means they have adapted to our climate and soil, and don’t need pesticides to survive. Pesticides are another key cause of the decline in bee populations.
Local fact: Pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. In Colorado, pollinators help produce apples from Paonia, pumpkins from Lafayette, tomatoes from Grand Junction, peaches from Palisade, cantaloupes from Rocky Ford and lots more.
In addition to providing seed packets, Generation Wild highlights several other ways for kids and families to get outdoors and take part in this movement:
• Pollinator Week (June 17-24): Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health. What better time to spread Wilderflowers than during Pollinator Week?
• Generation Wild Day (June 21): On Generation Wild Day, kids statewide are encouraged to get outside and spread Wilderflowers.
For more information and a statewide directory for where to find seeds in every community, visit generationwild.com/wilderflowers. Tag @GenerationWild on Facebook and Instagram to share your Wilderflowers.
About GOCO
GOCO invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces.
GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Created when voters approved a Constitutional Amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,700 projects in urban and rural areas in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.
