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 over 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. 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% (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 including more than 80 Little Free Library boxes. 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% 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.)
Fun 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.
Join the Bee Team
With this initiative, Generation Wild is introducing the Bee Team, which will join Wilder out in the community this summer at various events for kids and families. Kids can join the Bee Team movement simply by spreading Wilderflowers in their own backyards and in public areas with approval.
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 Trail (beginning in July): Beginning in July, Colorado families can visit stops on the Pollinator Trail, a Denver Park Trust-led initiative to restore native landscapes throughout Denver, providing resilient habitats where nature can thrive.
Florafitti Gardens (all summer long): Generation Wild has partnered with Denver Parks & Recreation to plant pollinator beds at five Denver parks. Families are encouraged to visit these locations and look for Bee Team messages (Florafitti) in the flower beds.
Florafitti gardens have been planted at:
- City Park
- Sloan's Lake
- Montbello Civic Center
- Gates Crescent Park
- Garfield Lake Park
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 GENERATION WILD
Generation Wild was created by GOCO to reconnect kids with nature by increasing the amount of time they spend outside in unstructured play – the kind of play that used to be way more common. The program is an integrated, statewide effort supported by a statewide network of non-profit, public and private partner organizations. In 12 Colorado communities, diverse, locally based Generation Wild coalitions are creating equitable access to the outdoors with new places to play, outdoor programs, and pathways to leadership opportunities and jobs in the outdoors.
For more information, follow Generation Wild on Facebook and Instagram. #GenerationWild #WonderFullWorld
ABOUT GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO
Great Outdoors Colorado (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 5,600 projects in urban and rural areas in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.
