At its heart, Roots & Shoots is about the power of individuals — both the young and the young at heart — to create change. After all, as Dr. Jane Goodall has said many times, “every individual can make a difference.” But Roots & Shoots is also about finding community among these individuals and creating greater impact with shared support. That’s why Roots & Shoots USA continues to grow and strengthen our network of changemakers, including our Roots & Shoots Youth Council!
🔗 Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA (RSYC) is a group of passionate young leaders from across the United States who are learning, growing, and collaborating for impact. These remarkable young people are selected from a wide pool of applicants for their incredible commitment to the power of community service, exemplifying what it means to be a Roots & Shoots changemaker. Our goal in bringing them together is to provide a space for them to learn from one another and to amplify their voices. Every individual can make a difference, but that difference is magnified when we work together.
This year, we’re thrilled to announce the 11 newest members of the RSYC USA, some of whom you may recognize from their previous Roots & Shoots projects! They join an amazing group that includes young people aged 15-22 years old from all over the United States who bring their own unique skills, background, and stories to the Roots & Shoots family.
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA 2025
Meet our 37 new and returning youth leaders, and learn a bit about their current focus areas:
Aaryan D., California, Circular Economy; Adrija K., New Jersey, Education + STEM; Anna R., Georgia, Youth Empowerment + Accessibility; Carolyn H., New Jersey, Paper Use Reduction; Cash D., Tennessee, Freshwater Conservation; Caymus M., Florida, Community Waste Reduction; Charlotte X., New Jersey, Bird Conservation + Storytelling; Chloe N., New York, Food Insecurity + Kindness; Chloe V., Massachusetts, Environmental Education + Water Quality; Christian G., California, Youth Environmental Education; David S., New York, Immigration Advocacy; Eliana E., New York, Wildlife Education + Conservation; Emma H., North Carolina, Creative Arts Education; Esha K., New Jersey, Fighting Hunger; Iveena M., Delaware, Conservation Technology; Jared L., New Jersey, Sports Gear Accessibility + Kindness; Jessie W., New Jersey, Artistic Recycling; Joshua O., Maryland, Fighting Diaper Poverty; Lauren R., Connecticut, Food Insecurity + Climate; Loxitawny C., New Mexico, Healthcare Accessibility; Maddy G., California, Pollinator Advocacy; Marlee C., Illinois, Marine Conservation + STEM; Matt M., New York, Arts Education + Special Needs Advocacy; Nate T., Texas, Climate Advocacy; Nateli S., Washington, Orca Advocacy; Oona S., New York, Environmental Policy; Ozi O., Maryland, Sustainability Education; Preston P., New York, Environmental Justice; Ray S., California, Recycling Accessibility; Serena D., Massachusetts, Sustainable Urban Development; Sidak C., New Jersey, Performing Arts Accessibility; Sierra S., Utah, Earthquake Safety + Infrastructure; Sophie K., California, Environmental Advocacy and Eco-Anxiety; Victoria S., New York, Cross-Cultural Climate Advocacy; Will C., Florida, Mangrove Restoration; Yoyo W., California, Environmental Advocacy; Zara G., Tennessee, Plastic Pollution Reduction.
PLUS this year we’re welcoming back RSYC alums Ayushi G. and Virginia J. as 2025 RSYC Fellows! In their new role, Ayushi and Virginia will help to coordinate RSYC activities, including collaborative Roots & Shoots projects across the council. Currently, they are jointly developing an exciting new storytelling initiative.
With council members’ projects ranging from native tree plantings and earthquake safety to plastic awareness campaigns and legal support for asylum seekers, the year ahead is sure to be full of impact that inspires! Keep an eye on our social media @rootsandshoots and #RSYouthCouncil to keep up with their adventures, including this year’s RSYC summit in San Francisco, California.
About the RSYC
The RSYC represents the youth voice of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots USA and helps to inspire people to be compassionate citizens every single day. Through the program, these RSYC members gain professional development and support in expanding and implementing their Roots & Shoots service projects, unique opportunities to share their perspectives and projects, mentorship from experts, and collaborations that include virtual meetings and an annual summit.
RSYC members are provided fun and comprehensive professional development on topics such as public speaking, storytelling, community-mapping, service learning, and digital activism. Even with all of this, the greatest asset of the RSYC is the friendship, inspiration, collaboration that they find with one another.
About Roots & Shoots
As the youth action program of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, Roots & Shoots USA’s mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living beings, promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, other animals, and the environment.
Through Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, Jane and JGI empower young people to improve their communities through 🔗 service projects, ensuring that they improve their world for people, other animals, and the planet we share. Roots & Shoots exists in over 75 countries and counting, and in all 50 U.S. states, growing a movement that’s good for all. You can 🔗 become a member for FREE today and start your very own project and group!
