As populations of monarchs and other pollinating insects continue to decline, more must be done to provide habitat for these important species as well as educating the general public. In addition to the challenges facing pollinator conservation, today’s youth also face challenges. Today's youth spend the majority of their time fixated on electronic devices, and when compared to the previous generation they spend on average less than half as much time outdoors; missing out on the many mental health and physical benefits associated with outdoor activity.
In order to reverse these trends and spread awareness about conservation concerns, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever developed the Youth Pollinator Habitat Program in 2014. Since the development of the program, volunteer chapters have established 186 projects across the country on 369 acres in 17 states. In partnership with the Monarch Joint Venture, they will expand the Program to provide fun educational opportunities for more youth and communities to get outside and learn about the importance of habitat for monarch butterflies and pollinating insects, while actively participating and engaging in projects that are part of the solution to population declines.