White House, conservationists, gardeners launch initiative to plant 1 million pollinator gardens

First Lady Michelle Obama announced on Wednesday that the White House has joined forces with conservationists and gardening organizations to launch the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, Juliet Eilperin reports for The Washington Post. "The initiative, which features more than a million seed kits donated by W. Atlee Burpee & Co., aims to expand the amount of habitat available for species that pollinate fruit and vegetable crops nationwide."

As part of the challenge, dozens of conservationist and gardening organizations announced the formation of the National Pollinator Garden Network, created "to provide resources for individuals, community groups, government agencies and the garden industry to create more pollinator habitat through sustainable gardening practices and conservation efforts," reports Agri-Pulse. The organization is challenging the nation to plant one million pollinator gardens by the end of 2016.