Roots and Shoots
Roots & Shoots is a global environmental and humanitarian program for youth
Inspire, take action, make a difference...
The Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots program is designed to engage & inspire youth of all ages through local activities involving care & concern for animals, the environment, and the human community. Founded by Dr Jane Goodall, this global program is based on the principle that Knowledge leads to Compassion, which inspires Action. Roots & Shoots groups have formed in 96 countries and, since Dr Jane's visit to Australia in July 2006, including a visit to existing groups, R&S groups are now growing here.
The Roots & Shoots program supports communities, parents & teachers with a variety of resources: innovative interdisciplinary curricula, activities, project ideas, and special events, both nationally & globally.
Roots & Shoots is growing around Australia; there are active groups in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, and individual members in every state. Groups represent a wide range of communities. The Garden Suburb R&S group is in a school in the city of Newcastle, the Murrindindi R&S group is a community-based group in a small country town north east of Melbourne, and the Marree R&S group is springing from a semi-remote indigenous community in the Far North of South Australia. Australian R&S members have joined others all around the world to celebrate the United Nations/Roots & Shoots International Day of Peace, planted thousands of indigenous plants to restore riparian habitat, built connections with residents of local aged care facilities, conducted a scientific expedition collecting data on local threatened species, created a library in a small, remote indigenous community, linked up with groups in other countries, and developed community gardens.
"Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light, they can break open brick walls. Imagine that the brick walls are all the problems we have inflicted on the planet. Hundreds and thousands of Roots & Shoots, hundreds and thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls. You can change the world" -Dr. Jane Goodall.
