Author: Abby A.

World Animal Day is celebrated in all corners of the world, from the United States, to Sudan, to Nepal. The first World Animal Day was organized in 1925 by a man named Heinrich Zimmermann to promote the protection of all animals, domestic or wild. The mission today is to “raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.” With looming statistics around species loss highlighting what has been termed “the Sixth Great Extinction,” endangered protections (like the Endangered Species Act) under threat, and animals still suffering under poor conditions of treatment, today is a day…

Nine-year-old Robbie Bond has enjoyed touring national parks and monuments ever since he got his Every Kid in a Park pass in the fourth grade. So, in Roots & Shoots fashion, when he first heard about the 27 national monuments under review by the U.S. government, Robbie knew he had to do something to help preserve them.  “Once you get rid of the parks, it’s extraordinarily hard to get them back.”Robbie Bond With the help of his parents, Robbie established a nonprofit called Kids Speak for Parks. His mission is to help other kids like him experience national parks and…

Dr. Jane Goodall and Roger Payne have long admired one another. Both have made stunning breakthrough discoveries in the field of wildlife biology, and are passionate conservationists. Dr. Jane is known for her work with chimpanzees, Roger Payne for his work with whales. So what would it be like to pair these two amazing animal observers and activists together? “If it has to do with the environment, it’s important.” Roger Payne Directed by Boy Olmi, Jane & Payne documents the discussions that occurred between Dr. Jane and Roger Payne during their historic first meeting together in 2013. The documentary opens…

On April 22nd, people all around the world are celebrating Earth Day! Earth Day is a big deal (as it should be!), and it has some interesting origins. The first Earth Day celebration took place 47 years ago in 1970. Launched by Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI), Earth Day was originally a nationwide teach-in, inspired by teach-ins during the Vietnam War. Senator Nelson’s goal was to create awareness surrounding the environmental issues rising at the time — and he did! Millions of people across the United States organized events in their communities and formed rallies in cities such as Philadelphia, New York,…

Haiti is a beautiful country located in the Caribbean Sea. Frequently experiencing natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, Haiti has struggled to rebuild and thrive while facing such destruction. According to Haiti Partners, 50% of children don’t attend school and 59% of citizens live on just US $2 per day. Many groups and organizations are providing solutions and support for the Haitian people. One such organization is doing just that by running a campaign called the Giving Tree Project. The Giving Tree Project, a Roots & Shoots campaign, was launched nearly eight years ago by Haiti Plunge Inc.. Haiti Plunge…

Roots & Shoots RSYC Member and Youth Blogger Abby A.’s project, “Project: Pink,” was chosen as December Project of the Month. Abby was invited to write about her project and share her tips for those who might feel inspired to start their own similar efforts in their community. One day this past September, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed when something caught my eye. Someone had posted about the hardships that women of little or no income face when they don’t have access to the menstrual hygiene products they need. As I became more informed about this problem,  I…

Victoria Barrett, 17, is an inspiring climate change activist, Roots & Shoots RSYC youth leader alum, and ACE Action Fellow. She has addressed the United Nations, attended COP21 in Paris, and collaborated on a bill with Global Kids that will ensure climate education in New York City public schools. Are you wondering how Victoria came to be so passionate about climate change? “One of the biggest contributions to my interest in climate justice is my family being from Honduras and my grandparents living on the coast. Sea level rise is quite prominent in the community that my grandparents live in…

When I was younger, every June I would accompany my mom, a school teacher, to her classroom and help her organize for the upcoming school year.  The janitors would also be cleaning and organizing at this time. As they went through desks, trash cans, and lockers, they found tons of unwanted school supplies that were still in good shape. The janitors would make piles in the halls for the teachers to take whatever supplies they needed, and I used to go through those piles and collect school supplies for myself. Even though this sort of fun for me, I couldn’t help…

Littering is an ever-increasing worldwide problem. Chances are, you’ve seen litter scattered along roadsides, floating in waterways, or blowing across a parking lot. The well-being of people, animals, and the environment is compromised by litter. People can become injured by items such as broken glass and are susceptible to disease caused by unsanitary conditions. Animals are at risk to ingest garbage and become trapped and debilitated by waste. The environment becomes threatened when litter invades natural habitats and when toxic chemicals from items, such as plastic, seep into soil and groundwater. It takes a  long time for litter to break…

Have you ever heard of the term “humane education?” If you have, you’ve likely heard of Zoe Weil. Zoe is an inspirational and influential humane educator. She is the cofounder and president of the Institute for Humane Education, and the author of seven books. Zoe has also spoken at six TEDx events. In addition, she has created graduate programs and workshops for the Institute for Humane Education. Humane education creates a more just and peaceful world by providing students with the knowledge and skills to make decisions that, according to the Institute for Humane Education, “do the most good and…