Author: Kira Leinwand

February is Black History Month, and we believe that every month is a chance to honor, amplify, and support the voices and contributions of Black changemakers of all ages! Racial discrimination is a very real problem in the U.S. and globally, with tragic effects such as institutional racism, environmental injustice, income inequality, and police violence. Knowledge is power, and it is only by educating ourselves on these issues that we can start solving them. In the Roots & Shoots program, everything is about growing compassionate traits by taking action for people, other animals, and the environment. Though this is a complex issue that can’t be solved by…

Happy 2022! We hope you all had some time to relax after a busy year, and we’re excited to see all the unique and impactful work you’ll do next! All January long we celebrated Veganuary through our #EATMEATLESS campaign —a chance to learn more about our food systems, and rethink the way we eat and produce foods, for people, other animals, and the planet! We invite you to join by trying more plant-based foods all year long, and by thinking of ways that YOU can affect food sustainability and justice in your community! You can start by getting inspired by January’s project of…

February 19th 2021 marked the 30th Anniversary of the Jane Goodall Institute’s youth program, Roots & Shoots! All year long, we’ve been celebrating the growth of this incredible program from just 12 students in Tanzania, to a global movement spanning more than over 60 countries! Though much has changed, we’ve stayed true to our roots…The group of Tanzanian students who came to Jane’s front porch felt hopeless – with Jane’s support and their creativity, Roots & Shoots allows young people to feel hopeful by creating a positive impact in their communities – for people, other animals, and the environment we share. This powerful…

2021 was another difficult year with the continuing and evolving pandemic, global political turmoil, climate change and more. Despite this, Roots & Shoots changemakers continued to show us the meaning of hope in action. For yet another year, our Roots & Shoots family stood up for their beliefs, and used the creativity and resources at their disposal—most importantly, each other—to make this world better than they found it. We have so much to celebrate, and it’s all thanks to you! Whether you are a young person learning to make a difference, or a mentor guiding their journey, you have made…

It’s the end of one year, the beginning of another, and many of us are beginning to create our goals for 2022. This can be a lot of fun, especially when you do it with others! New Year’s Resolutions are often personal goals, but goals for larger projects can be just as important! Have you ever heard of the United Nations’ 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development? If not, find out what those ‘SDGs’ have to do with December’s project of the month: People & Planet Pillow Project, from Montclair, California!  The Roots & Shoots changemaker who started this project, Maggie, Got Inspired (Step 1 of…

This season often brings feelings of togetherness and reflection. For many it is a time to think about the past, and look forward with hope and commitment to make a positive impact in the coming year. It is during this time of thankfulness that people sometimes recognize there’s more that they can do for others – that’s the Roots & Shoots way! It is in this spirit that we are happy to announce November’s project of the month: Food Bank, from Marshall, Michigan!  We feel so grateful to have so many caring groups that create projects using Roots & Shoots’s 4-Step Formula. When this group wanted to “Get Engaged” (Step 1) in their community, they decided that food justice and security was an important issue to them. They then “Observed”…

Conservation often feels like a never-ending challenge, which is why a little bit of encouraging news goes a long way! Today’s hope-filled news comes from a recent study in the American Journal of Primatology out of the Democratic Republic in the Congo (DRC) led by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) funded in part by the Jane Goodall Institute. In this study, analyzed wildlife surveys revealed some surprising and amazing revelations using rigorous measurements. The conclusion: there is a larger population estimate for the critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas than previously reported, and a stable population of chimpanzees! Bonus: They are largely in…

🎃 Happy spooky season, changemakers! 🦇 We hope you’re staying safe and that you take the time to enjoy the festivities during what has been a particularly difficult year.  Halloween is a time for fun, a time for playful scares, and of course, a time for eating too much candy! But do you know what’s in your candy? Many popular brands contain palm oil, which — when grown unsustainably — can do a lot of harm to people, wildlife, and the environment by driving deforestation and biodiversity loss. Luckily, changemakers like you are taking action…We’re excited to announce that October’s project of the month is…

Happy Fall! Though we love the season, we know it also means the start of the school year. As so much of our lives have been difficult during the Pandemic, school has been extra tough for so many. Whether you’re a student, an educator, or a parent, we hope your year is off to a great start! During this stressful time, remember to be kind to yourselves, and kind to others. We’re so proud of the INCREDIBLE difference you have made through all your acts of compassion throughout this challenging time. (Check out our Back to Us campaign for incredible…

Happy August! As the summer winds down, we’re sure everyone is preparing for a Fall season of impact, connection, and growth. Whether you’re a young changemaker, a parent, or an educator, know that Roots & Shoots has your back! We’re also here to share some inspiration by showing off some of the most amazing changemakers in our network. These changemakers are always thinking ahead for ways to make a difference. So how are young people taking on an issue like clothing waste? If you’re considering refreshing your wardrobe, keep in mind where your old clothes go. Clothing waste and fast fashion is a huge pollution problem and contributor to climate change! We get it, you grow out…