DENVER — Generation Wild, a component of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) that works to connect kids and the outdoors, aims to ensure future generations enjoy Colorado's landscapes and open space heritage enough to protect them.  

An initiative not only distributes wildflower seeds but also provides educational resources and activities to engage kids with nature. To foster connectivity with kids outside, Generation Wild will distribute over 151 million wildflower seeds.  

For the second year in a row, Generation Wild has been working to get indoor kids outside with wildflowers by distributing more than 120,000 free seed packets across the state.  

In 2024, Generation Wild distributed 100,000 seed packets while calling on Colorado's kids to get outside and help save the bees. 

Generation Wild Program Director Chris Aaby told the Valley Courier that the program was so successful last year that communities asked for additional seeds. 

Aaby is proud that this year, the wildflower seed packets are now available through more than 585 partner sites, up from 250 partners last year, a testament to the success and growing impact of the initiative. 

The seeds, a symbol of a collective commitment to the environment, are available at public libraries throughout the San Luis Valley, a testament to the crucial role these institutions play in our communities. 

Kate Compton with the Colorado State Library said, "People are excited in expanding the vocabulary of children when thinking of the natural environment, what are the colors of the flowers they are seeing, what are the textures, using new vocabulary as the plant grows? With the seeds and flowers, we focus on early literacy in vocabulary building.  

“There is also the story development here: "First, you plant the seed, then you water it, and there is growth, and there is that sequencing piece." 

Compton added, "We have been excited to see how creative all the public libraries have been thinking of all the different ways this connects and develops early literacy.” 

The enhanced initiative provides more Colorado kids a fun and engaging way to get out in nature while supporting Colorado's pollinators and local ecosystems.  

"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 wildflowers back this spring."  

The 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, over 200 million seeds were planted across Colorado.  

Arvada-based-Applewood Seed Company is employee-owned and has been a purveyor of wildflower seeds since 1965.  

According to Washington State University entomologists, commercial honeybee colony losses are projected to be 60% to 70% in 2025. 

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. Generation Wild's 151 million seeds can go a long way toward mitigating habitat loss in Colorado.  

The 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.  

Seed packet distribution partners include Generation Wild coalitions, local libraries, Little Free Libraries, mission-aligned partners, and schools. By starting the initiative in the spring season, more than 663 classrooms have opted to get seeds directly into the hands of Colorado kids.  

Aaby thanked the local libraries participating in the program and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley, SLV GO!, and Adams State University. 

With the seed packets, Generation Wild aims to meaningfully connect kids with nature. This, in turn, increases 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.  

Compton said, "The seeds enable people to have a garden for the first time, to enjoy the beauty in their world with the flowers, and sometimes this can make such a difference."  

The seed packets have already arrived at some but not all public libraries; be sure to call your library before you arrive to be sure the seeds are available.