Generation Wild, a movement from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) that works to connect kids with the outdoors, has a big ambition: ensure future generations will love Colorado’s landscapes and open space heritage enough to protect them. And they believe it all starts with a tiny seed. 151 million of them in fact. For the second year in a row, Generation Wild is aiming to get a generation of increasingly indoorsy kids outside with Wilderflowers, by distributing more than 120,000 free seed packets across the state.
Last year, Generation Wild distributed 100,000 seed packets while calling on Colorado’s kids to get outside and help save the bees. The initiative was so successful, communities asked for more. That demand resulted in this year’s effort being 26% larger, with Wilderflower seed packets now available through more than 585 partner distribution sites – up from 250 partners last year. The enhanced initiative provides more Colorado kids with a fun and engaging way to get out in nature while supporting Colorado’s pollinators and local ecosystems.
With the seed packets, Generation Wild aims to connect kids with nature in a meaningful way, which, in turn, grows curiosity, self-reliance, creativity and physical activity while reducing stress, anxiety and symptoms of ADHD. Connecting youth to the outdoors also helps facilitate a lifelong relationship, one the organization believes will help further GOCO’s mission of protecting and caring for Colorado’s beautiful places well into the future.
This year's effort is being promoted through art installations at elementary schools across the state and a Colorado Rockies partnership featuring Wilder, Generation Wild’s eight-foot-tall spokescreature who is part yeti and part mountain goat. (Look for him to throw out an opening pitch on May 20 against The Phillies.)
FUN FACTS
- According to the New York Times, the United States has lost 22% of its butterfly population in the last 20 years, amounting to 1.3% per year. Experts blame habitat loss and pesticide use as factors, but emphasize solutions such as creating habitat refuges for butterflies and other insects by planting native flowers, shrubs and trees.
- More than 663 classrooms have opted in to get seeds directly into the hands of Colorado kids! Ask your kids about it!
- 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.
- The Wilderflower seed mix was developed in partnership with Applewood Seed Company and vetted in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Butterfly Pavilion.
- All seeds are regionally native to Colorado, which is important for sustaining the living landscape of bees, birds and other animals.
- By distributing more than 120,000 seed packages, 151 million seeds will be planted across Colorado this year, helping improve the environment for pollinators and make Colorado’s kids happier by spending time outside. Combined with efforts last year, that’s over 200 million seeds planted across Colorado.
“This project is so important, not only because it aligns with our mission to get kids outside and create future stewards, but the native flowers also support our local pollinators and beautify the great outdoors,” said Jackie Miller, GOCO’s Executive Director. “With so many people reaching out and asking if we were doing it again, we knew we had to bring Wilderflowers back this spring.”
ABOUT GENERATION WILD
Generation Wild was created by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to connect Colorado kids to the outdoors by increasing the amount of time they spend outside. The program is made up of a statewide communications campaign designed to inspire and activate Colorado families using tools like a list of 100 Things To Do Before You’re 12, and a network of 12 Generation Wild communities engaging more than 270,000 youth participants with outdoor programs, activities and jobs in the outdoors. Generation Wild has become a leader in the outdoor movement by executing several statewide initiatives such as Say Hi with a Snowman, Wilderflowers™, World's Longest Hopscotch, and Wilder, the film. #GenerationWild #WonderFullWorld
Connect with Generation Wild by visiting Generation Wild’s website, Facebook, or Instagram.
