BURLINGTON, Vt. — More than 100 schools, businesses and individuals in Vermont are doing their parts to help bees and butterflies, whose populations are sharply declining.

People around the state are letting grass grow long or planting wildflowers in certain areas to attract pollinators.

About 30 acres of land in Vermont has been designated for pollinators since the initiative was launched late last year. It's linked to the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, an effort to create pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Officials with national nonprofit KidsGardening.org say letting grass and wildflowers grow long in certain areas is an easy way for people to make a difference for pollinators. Bees and butterflies flock to these areas.

Hunt Middle School in Burlington has planted flowers and left a section of their garden unplanted for grass and wildflowers to grow.