Jane’s greatest reason for hope was the power of young people. Through Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, young people in 75+ countries are proving her right. By planning and implementing projects that help people, other animals, and the environment, they are strengthening their communities and encouraging others to join the movement. These local groups create a web of impact, and our Roots & Shoots Youth Council is strengthening that web through collaboration and peer mentorship.
🔗 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 greater impact in their communities. 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 seven 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 15- to 22-year-olds 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 2026
Meet our 36 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; Charlee C., Alabama, Rural Sustainability Education; 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; Jared L., New Jersey, Sports Gear Accessibility + Kindness; Jenavive M., Hawai’i, Art Therapy + Ocean Conservation; Joshua O., Maryland, Fighting Diaper Poverty; Katelyn L., California, STEM Education; Kolleen Y., California, Office Waste Reduction; Lauren R., Connecticut, Food Insecurity + Climate; Loxitawny C., New Mexico, Healthcare Accessibility; Marlee C., Illinois, Marine Conservation + STEM; Matt M., New York, Arts Education + Special Needs Advocacy; Naomi B., Maryland, Natural Hair Appreciaton + Education; 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; Sierra S., Utah, Earthquake Safety + Infrastructure; Sophia Y., Georgia, Small Business Sustainability; Victoria S., New York, Cross-Cultural Climate Advocacy; Will C., Florida, Mangrove Restoration; William T., Washington, Coral Reef Restoration; Yoyo W., California, Environmental Advocacy; Zara G., Tennessee, Plastic Pollution Reduction.
PLUS this year we’re welcoming back RSYC alums Jessie W. and Mahir R. as 2026 RSYC Fellows! In their new role, Jessie and Mahir will help to coordinate RSYC activities, including our 2026 RSYC Summit and collaborative Roots & Shoots projects across the council.
With council members’ projects ranging from food drives and natural hair workshops to water pollution testing and coral reef restoration, 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 Chicago, Illinois.
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!
