60 years ago the Universal Declaration of Human rights was adopted it did not include the right to water explicitly, and as such it has allowed for some governments to deny that this right exists.  Today over 800 million people lack access to clean drinking water, and 2.6 billion do not have basic sanitation. 

Tomorrow July 28th is the deadline for countries to become co-sponsers of the UN resolution: The Human Right to Water and Sanitation.

Act Now to help secure the Human Right to Water and Sanitation:  

Happy Gombe 50!

Posted: July 16, 2010

This week we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Dr. Jane's research at Gombe Stream, in Tanzania.

To commemorate the day, the JGI Canada office celebrated with a Gombe 50 cake and did our best to honour Dr. Jane with chimpanzee pant-hoots. The ripples of laughter were much more audible than any of the hoots, so we think we'll leave the chimpanzee calls to Dr. Goodall! 

182 hectares of forested land north of Beaver Pond Park, just outside of Ottawa, is scheduled for development. Clear-cutting is scheduled to begin in the middle of July. 

This land is home to many wildlife species, including  the blanding's turtle, which is considered a threatened species provincially and nationally. Also, according to a 1997 regional report these woods are a "significant area for maintaining biodiversity."

Join the Facebook group dedicated to saving this land

Read more about the Issue in the Ottawa Citizen

Learn how you can help Canada's forests

If so, send us your nomination for the 2010 Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Award!

The Jane Goodall Global Leadership Awards honour organizations and individuals who share Dr. Jane's values, vision and commitment to making a positive difference in the world for all living things.

The awards are given in the categories of Youth Leadership, Excellence in Public Policy, Global Leadership, Corporate Social Responsibility and Responsible Activism in Media and Entertainment.

The Youth Leadership Award recognizes an individual (14 to 24 years of age) who exhibits leadership and excellence through his or her work to help preserve our natural world, protect animals or benefit our human community. Learn More

all over the world are coming to Canada to be a part of youth summits. The G(irls)20 Summit and My Summit are being held prior and alongside the meetings of the World leaders. Youth chosen to attend these summits will discuss many of the same issues as the G20 leaders, and come up with their own solutions.  Beyond the youth summits there are many opportunities for youth to take part in the G8 and G20. There are lectures, workshops, and marches, where you can learn about and speak out on the issues that matter most to you.  Learn More

• Attend the UN Climate Change Meeting in Cancun (Deadline: Friday, June 11)
• Become a member of Canadian Parks Council Youth Advisory Panel (Deadline: Monday, June 14)
• Attend a Me to We Take Action Academy (10% discount for Roots & Shoots members)
• Take on environmental leadership at FUN Camps

Our second Speak for the Trees workshop took place on May 28th, 2010 in Vancouver.

Roots & Shoots members learnt about forest issues in Canada and around the world, and took action by clearing invasive species and planting cedar saplings in Renfrew Ravine.

Read all the details!

On May 26th and 27th, six high schools from the Ottawa area came together to take part in Camp Makwa, a gathering where students were immersed in Aboriginal culture and land-based teachings.

Students and instructors alike, had the opportunity to learn about Hand Drum and Sweatlodge teachings, to play co-operative games, and witness wonderful Inuit throat singing. Roots & Shoots held a forest workshop that integrated Planet Releaf and our Aboriginal program. There was also a special visit from Grandfather William Commanda, a 96 year old Elder who spoke about the Ottawa River and its traditional role in Algonquin life.

Read all the details.

Roots &  Shootsers from Ci Yuan CC Youth Group in Singapore visited Toronto last week.

Five members from the group came to Toronto for the chance to learn about environmental initiatives in North America, to explore southern Ontario, and to meet some Roots & Shootsers from our side of the globe.

They had a busy schedule in Ontario, starting with a trip to Niagara Falls, and ending with a day at the Metro Toronto Zoo. At the zoo they planted trees for the International Day of Biodiversity,  before their tour with YLC members Kaylee and Izzy, who taught them all about orangutans (a great ape exclusive to Asia). 

Read more

Dr. Bekoff has authored or edited almost two dozen books related to animal behavior, animal welfare and animal rights, including The Ten Trusts with Dr. Goodall.  The two are also co-founders of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (EETA).

The renowned animal expert, Marc Bekoff, will challenge stimulate and forever change the way you look at animals, during this Q&A and book-signing.

Don't miss your chance to have the author of The Animal Manifesto and The Emotional Lives of Animals answer your questions. 

See the Poster

Don't miss the next Speak for the Trees workshop in Vancouver, BC!

The workshop will have even more hands-on activities to get you educated and ready to take action for forests.

Space is limited, so register now!

When: Friday, May 28th, 2010

Where: Science World, 1455 Quebec Street

Download registration form

Contact Abner Lico

Members of the Council met for the March Retreat to get to know each other, hone their leadership skills, and to develop action for the coming months.

They also solidified their relationship with the US National YLC, and have plans to collaborate on cross-border campaigns that will increase their impact.

Learn more about our US-Canada collaboration.

Check out photos from the Retreat here.

On April 8th, YLC members took part in the first Planet Releaf Youth Action Workshop: Speak for the Trees, in Toronto. They provided leadership for other groups and individuals who attended the workshop, and created inspiring ideas to spread the word about forest issues and take immediate action!

Speak for the Trees Workshop update coming soon!

Check out this article about Olivia, our dedicated YLC member from Trinity College School.

Finally, the YLC gathered once more this past week to meet Dr. Jane Goodall. It was a special day for all members, to meet the inspiration behind their hope, compassion and action.

Earth Day and Beyond

Posted: April 14, 2010

The 40th anniversary of Earth Day is quickly approaching, and there are lots of opportunities to give back to the planet. The events and programs don't stop on Earth Day, and Roots & Shoots won't stop either. 

Learn more about the events and programs that we're attending and promoting. 

Share your Earth Day/Week projects with other members, in our project database.

Roots stores across Canada are now stocked with Roots & Shoots merchandise. Check out their endangered animal t-shirts for men, women and children. There is a large selection of tees that identify endangered species, their remaining numbers in Canada, and descriptions of their ecological significance in their territory range.

There is also a tote bag with the image and information about the burrowing owl.

Thank you to Roots for their continued support.

Proceeds from these products will support Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots. 

To shop online visit the Roots website.

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold and came out to celebrate the launch of the Roots & Shoots national forest campaign: Planet Releaf!

The event was held on February 26th, and featured films, special guests, Youth Council presentations, information booths and a light reception.

We also announced our Planet Releaf project initiative,

6 Degrees to Gombe! Read the details here to get involved and learn how you could win a walk in the woods with Jane Goodall!

Learn more about the event here and check out the event photos on this page.

If you were unable to come to the event, learn how you can celebrate the campaign with a satellite launch.

Go here to check out our new Planet Releaf website!

2010 is the UN International Year of Biodiversity. This year will also mark the tenth meeting of the Convention of the Parties (COP 10), who govern and implement the Convention on Biodiversity.

Visit biodiversitymatters.org to learn more about the Youth Accord on Biodiversity. Then, get involved! Read the Accord, and then join youth all around the world in signing the Accord.

The Youth Accord on Biodiversity will be presented at the COP 10 in Japan, in October 2010.