The Mary Christopher Podcast

Roots and Shoots ~ Jane Goodall's Living Legacy !!!

Listen Later
Roots & Shoots: Growing Youth Leadership Around the World

When I try to imagine a greener and healthier world, I usually think of Roots & Shoots ~ Jane Goodall’s inspired youth movement, growing hope from local to global.  In the early 1990s, Jane Goodall quietly planted this idea.  Today it is growing in dozens of countries, with thousands of groups and tens of thousands of young people working in small groups with heart, courage, and creativity.  They are dedicated to making this Amazing Earth a better place for all Creatures Great and Small, including Human Beings!

A Brave Vision Emerged from Simple Beginnings

Roots & Shoots began in 1991, on Dr. Goodall’s porch in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She had been speaking at local schools, and a group of 12 teenagers, selected by their classmates, came to her with their concerns. Their primary concerns were deforestation, water quality, and wildlife decline in their neighborhood.  Instead of offering solutions herself, Jane asked them: What do you think you can do? 

Together they developed a simple three-part mission: help people, help animals, help the environment. That small gathering became the first Roots & Shoots group.Roots & Shoots ~ The Jane Goodall Institute USA and Global

From that first meeting, the Jane Goodall Institute nurtured the idea, sharing stories, studies, and encouragement,  the movement grew and spread.  Since 1991, local youth groups, school chapters, and community clubs in many countries adopted this model.  Young people obseerved their surroundings, identified a problem, took action, and celebrated their accomplishments together!   Children, Nature and Responsibility

Structure & Organization: A Light Framework, Strong Roots

Roots & Shoots is not centralized in the usual way of authority.  Instead it offers a flexible, but resilient form and support so that youth-led groups can bloom locally, while connecting with each other around the world.

  • Chapters / Global Offices: In many countries, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) or affiliated bodies host national Roots & Shoots programs. These may provide training, resources, communication, youth councils, and project funding.                                                Jane Goodall Institute Host Roots and Shots Programs

    •  

    • Local Groups / Clubs: At the grassroots, students, youth groups, or community members start or join a Roots & Shoots group — often anchored within schools, youth centers, environmental clubs, or informal community organizations.Roots & Shoots Anchored in Communities

      •  

      • Basecamps / Hubs (especially in U.S.): In the U.S., certain regional “Basecamp” locations act as hubs or gathering points, helping coordinate events, mentoring, networking, and amplifying local efforts. Roots & Shoots

      • Youth Councils & Global Networks: Some regions convene youth councils (as in the U.S.) to highlight outstanding youth leaders, create cross-group collaboration, and include youth people in the  decision-making process.   Jane Goodall's Good for All News

      • Shared Method & Philosophy:  Around the World, Roots & Shoots uses a 4-step formula (Get Inspired or Engage, Observe, Take Action, Celebrate) to guide participants in planning and developing. Children & Nature Network

        • Because groups are relatively autonomous, the program’s strength lies in its flexibility and adaptability.  Young People choose issues that matter to them locally,  and at the same time remain connected to a global network of encouragement, shared stories, and occasional collaborative campaigns (such as ForeverWild, tackling wildlife trafficking).                         Collaborative Campaigns

        Roots and Shoots Does Not Publish local Membership numbers or locations.

        Because Roots & Shoots does not actively publish up-to-date, verified membership counts in its public materials, it is difficult to find reliable regional numbers.  The numbers listed below are estimates.

        • Globally, according to Wikipedia, Roots & Shoots operates in over 140 countries, with over 8,000 local groups and nearly 150,000 youth participants around the world. Wikipedia

        • Jane Goodall Institute’s materials do note Roots & Shoots is active in more than 60 countries. Jane Goodall Institute ~ Acitive in more than 60 countries
        • In just the United States, Roots & Shoots, USA reports 50 states, 2,118 registered groups, and 63,540 youth taking action (though not all may be formal “members”). Roots & Shoots

        • Roots and Shoots, USA also mentions that in 2022, Roots & Shoots youth operated in 65 countries. Jane Goodall's Good for All News

          •  

          One of the most beautiful things about Roots & Shoots is seeing the concrete, imaginative ways youth take action in their own contexts. Here are three examples, each one drawn from Europe, Africa, and North America:

          Europe
          1. Bee “hotel” or insect habitat restoration (UK or Germany)
            2. Youth groups in Europe have built insect-nesting habitats in school gardens or local parks to support pollinators and raise awareness of insect declines.

          2. River litter cleanup & plastic waste campaign (Spain, Italy, or Poland)
            3. Young Roots & Shoots groups have focused on cleaning local riverbanks or coastal areas, documenting plastic pollution, and running awareness campaigns about single-use plastics.

          3. Urban greening/community gardens (Netherlands or Scandinavia)
            4. In European cities, youth have transformed small vacant lots or school grounds into native plant gardens, vegetable beds, or micro-green spaces, improving biodiversity and community food.

            Africa

            1. Tree planting & reforestation in Tanzania or Kenya
              2. In these locations, youth groups working near forests or rural communities, plant indigenous tree seedlings to restore degraded land, sometimes involving schools and community members.

            2. Water access/safe water filtration in rural villages
              3. Some groups design affordable water filters or promote clean-water campaigns in villages where drinking water quality is poor, combining environmental, health, and community care.

            3. Wildlife monitoring & habitat protection
              4. In regions near national parks, youth monitor wildlife corridors, support anti-poaching awareness, or plant buffer zones to reduce human–wildlife conflict.
              North America (U.S.-based projects)
              1. Pollinator gardens / native plant restoration
                2. One of the favorite projects in the U.S. Roots & Shoots groups is planting native wildflower gardens at schools to support bees, butterflies, and birds.

              2. Waste reduction & recycling challenge in high schools
                3. In these communities, students organize and lead campaigns to reduce plastic use (say, banning single-use bottles), improve recycling, or establish compost programs.

              3. Community tree planting or urban canopy expansion
                4. These groups partner with city or nonprofit programs to plant trees in neighborhoods to reduce heat, improve air quality, and foster community pride.

                For instance, in 2022, the U.S. Roots & Shoots program highlighted projects ranging from native pollinator oases to hydroponic garden initiatives as part of its youth portfolio.

                These Young People and their Programs are building a Better World, all around the World!  This is the Future!  The more we find ways to support Young People, their efforts, and aspirations, we are helping to create a better world, step by step.  Every effort counts and makes a difference in ways we can only imagine.

                ...more
                View all episodesView all episodes
                Download on the App Store
                The Mary Christopher PodcastBy Mary Christopher