Volunteer Photographer visits the Gulf oil spill
photo credit: Jo-Anne McArthur |
Jo-Anne McArthur is a documentary photographer, animal activist, environmentalist, and a volunteer at the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada.
Recently she traveled to the Gulf of Mexico to document the BP oil spill. There she has witnessed fish and turtles washed up on shore, birds covered in oil, and people working hard to save them.
Below is an excerpt from Jo-Anne's Blog, We Animals: |
"
There are oiled birds being rescued in the Gulf of Mexico as we speak. However, the majority of them aren’t saturated in oil and only have their chests or bellies tainted. If a bird becomes badly oiled, this can cause hypo- or hyperthermia, depending on whether they are wet or how high the Gulf heat climbs. The Tri-State bird rescue teams are situated at 4 locations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and are equipped for worst-case scenarios. Everyone’s hope is that the birds will stay clear of the oiled areas, but this is next to impossible due to the size of the spill, during a time when birds are nesting and rearing young ones. " Read more
James Brooks is a Finalist for the
Me to We: Youth in Action Award
Roots & Shoots member James Brooks is a finalist for the Me to We: Youth in Action Award! James is dedicated to saving the Apes and helping the people of Congo, and is very deserving of this honour.
James built a website for kids about apes at www.apeaware.org, and he is the creator of the 1000classrooms project. Through James' efforts, 1000classrooms has raised enough money to buy 25,000 eggs for widows of slain park rangers who can sell eggs to make ends meet, and he has engaged thousands on the issue of ape preservation.
James really wants to win this award because there will be a $5000 donation to a charity of his choice and the widows, kids, and gorillas in the Congo really need our help.
Lend your support to fellow Roots & Shootser,
Youth Council member gives the "Last Lecture"
This spring Roots & Shoots Canada Youth Leadership Council member, Izzy Hirji had the honor of delivering the graduating student portion of the "Last Lecture", for the University of Guelph Graduating Class. Izzy reflects on the last 4 years at Guelph, the diversity of the 2010 graduating class, their shared experiences of fundraising and volunteering, and how each and every one of us are undeniably making a difference in the world.
Watch Izzy's "Last Lecture":
Roots & Shoots in the Philippines
Makes Waves
When the Sampaloc Lake in San
Pablo City became totally polluted, residents mobilized to form the Friends of the
Seven Lakes Foundation (FSLF) in 2000.
In 2003, FSLF Kids Roots & Shoots was born. Members organized lake
clean-ups, environmental education campaigns, treeplanting events,
recycling projects, ecocamps
and more!
Download the Water Stories Report from the Global Water Network and read FSLS's story on page 5. Then get inspired by the other water stories from around the world!
To take action on water issues in your own community, visit Project Blue.
Bilaal Rajan Goes Barefoot for Volunteer Week
|
To celebrate National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), Roots & Shoots member Bilaal Rajan is living life without shoes! As they say, “You never really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes”.
He's asking fellow Roots & Shootsers to do the same to better understand the struggles faced by underprivileged children in the developing world – many of whom cannot afford shoes.
Children in developing countries walk miles in their bare feet every day to fetch water, work on their farms, go to school, or perform other chores.
Go barefoot with Bilaal and make change – one step at a time. |
Kali Brauckmann Helps BC’s Grizzly Bears
Grizzlies play an essential role in keeping our forests alive, yet they're quickly becoming a threatened species.
When Kali Braukmann discovered that trophy Grizzly hunting was legal in BC, she took action and wrote a letter to BC Premier, Gordon Campbell.
Read her letter here.
If you feel strongly about this issue, support the Grizzlies and lend a hand to Kali’s Crescent Beach Roots & Shoots group by writing your own letter.
The more voices, the stronger the message!
UPDATE: Watch Kali on Global News.
James Brooks Raises
$4,300 for Great Apes!
|
James Brooks, #1 Bonobo Fan, has been busy...
In addition to starting his own Roots & Shoots group in London, ON called "Ape Aware," James is Co-President of the USA-based club "KidsSaveApes," and runs his own website and blog to inform people about apes and to help save apes.
Check out this recent interview with James on the Bonobo Kids Challenge blog, to read more about his fundraising activities and future plans.
Keep up the great work James! |
Check out James' latest initiative, 1000 Classrooms
Kailey Williamson: The Power of ONE
Visit the Archives for more Ideas & Inspiration
|
Roots & Shoots in Action 
