Check out In the News to read current articles about people, animals and the environment.
Do Something! Awards
Posted: January 4, 2012
Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation’s best young world-changers, 25 and under. Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue. In 2012 (up to) five finalists will appear on the Do Something Awards on Vh1 and be rewarded with a community grant, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the broadcast.
Earth Day Canada, with financial support from the Toyota Canada Foundation, has launched the 2012 Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program to recognize and cultivate tomorrow’s environmental leaders. This year, the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program will reward 20 graduating high school and Cégep students across Canada with $5 000 scholarships for their environmental community service, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and academic excellence. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2012. For more information please visit www.earthday.ca/scholarship.
15 Documentary Features Advance in 2011 Oscar® Race
Posted: November 21, 2011
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 84th Academy Awards®. One hundred twenty-four pictures had originally qualified in the category.
Jane's Journey is one of the 15 films that have advanced in the voting process!
One Million Hours of Community Service Global Campaign
Posted: November 21, 2011
The One Million Hours of Service global Roots & Shoots campaign aims to recognize and celebrate the collective power of youth and the positive impact youth can have on communities across the globe.
One Million Hours of Service will encourage young people to reach and record a collective one million hours of community service helping people, animals and the environment.
The campaign aims to:
Increase youth involvement in community service;
Recognize Roots & Shoots groups for outstanding service projects; and
Spread awareness about global issues through the voices of youth and their projects
Here are a few ways that you can get involved:
1) Share the campaign with youth,
educators and community leaders;
2) Join Roots & Shoots and plan a service
project;
3) Make a donation to help support the
campaign and Roots & Shoots efforts
around the world.
The Roots & Shoots Team had an amazing time in Western Canada with Dr. Goodall this past month!
We began in Victoria, where Dr. Jane spoke at Royal Roads University to an audience of faculty, students, Elders and supporters of Aboriginal affairs. The team met some incredible future Roots & Shoots champions and Dr. Jane got her hands dirty (literally) as she helped them plant a tree in her honour.
Our next stop was Vancouver for a gathering of west coast Youth Leadership Council (YLC) members – they were excited to sit down and have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jane, and Dr. Jane was thrilled to meet our future leaders.
Calgary was next on the list for school visits by the Roots & Shoots staff and YLC. Dr. Jane was thrilled to be greeted at Sir Winston Churchill High School by a flock of Peace Doves. She inspired the students and teachers alike with her reasons for hope. Dr. Jane’s next stop was the Banff Centre for a showing of the award-winning documentary, Jane’s Journey. It was a wonderful experience to watch the film with Dr. Goodall there to answer all of our questions.
Our last event was held in a snowy Lake Louise where Dr. Jane spoke to 450 science teachers from across Alberta. The Roots & Shoots Team held workshops on service learning and incorporating the Roots & shoots program into the classroom. It was a fantastic way to end the tour!
Field Research Opportunity - Uganda
Posted: November 12, 2011
Project Overview
In January 2010, JGI Canada and Uganda began the “Sustainable Livelihoods Project" in Uganda. Through this three year project in Western Uganda, we are working to improve the health, well-being and livelihoods of local people, while simultaneously conserving and restoring habitat for wild chimpanzee populations. This project will benefit 3,500 people in 700 households, and create forest resources between Bugoma and Wambabya Forest Reserves, for both humans and chimpanzees.
Research Opportunity
JGI is looking for students to conduct research in the field, to monitor and assess the immediate and long-term impacts of the project, on local communities and the environment.
This project takes a holistic approach to conservation and development in an area inhabited by a significant population of chimpanzees, and where efforts towards restoring the first forest corridor in the Albertine Rift are being attempted. Therefore, research will be essential in gathering science-based evidence to monitor and assess the impact and progress of such work with local communities and the environment in the long-term.
Join Roots & Shoots at this year's EcoMentors Youth Conference on Saturday, November 5th from 9:30am to 5:30pm!
Earth Day Canada's EcoMentors program and the Sierra Youth Coalition are teaming up to bring together youth (ages 15 to 24) who care about our planet for an awesome, FREE, one-day conference in Ottawa!
This event will help you stoke your green smarts and inspire you to make a difference! Through an interactive day of fun, youth-oriented environmental workshops and activities, you'll find out how to facilitate positive change in your community.
In a fun and interactive workshop, Roots & Shoots will engage participants in getting to know our closest relatives, the chimpanzee, the threats to their survival and how you can take action and make a difference in your community and in communities around the world. Roots and Shoots will provide you with ideas and resources to take action on protecting chimpanzees, leading other youth and engaging your community.
Watch Roots & Shoots members spreading hugs on Peace Day!
Each year, Roots & Shoots groups across the globe unite in their celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Giant Peace Doves are flown to promote peace and inspire a day free from violence.
The “Hugs for Peace” campaign was bigger and better for our second year, reaching people all over Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Waterloo.
We began in Nathan Phillips Square, downtown Toronto, with an enthusiastic group of Roots & Shoots youth designing colourful and creative signs offering free hugs and free high fives to passersby. The youth brightened many faces throughout the day, giving excited high fives, warm hugs and cheerful words to all who wandered past. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, a giant handmade Peace Dove soared through the streets spreading the message of peace. In both
Waterloo and Ottawa, Roots and Shoots youth were undertaking a similar campaign to spread peace and happiness throughout their community. The youth offered countless free hugs to the city’s residents, promoting kind words and peaceful actions throughout the day. At the University of Calgary, zumba, yoga, hula-hooping, nutritional-planning and goal-setting were some of the various activities offered on campus to encourage peaceful minds and bodies.
Thank you to all of the Youth Leadership Council members, Roots & Shoots members, friends and family who helped to build such a successful, peace-filled celebration across the country!
Roots & Shoots Teams across Canada participate in the GCSC
Posted: September 21, 2011
Roots & Shoots teams all over the country have come together in collective action to participate in a fun, outdoor campaign focusing on a great cause. On Friday, September 16, the Roots & Shoots team along with just over 70 passionate volunteers took part in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup at Cherry Beach in Toronto. Another Roots & Shoots team got to work in Waterloo on Saturday, September 17, and more cleanups are set to take place in Vancouver on September 21 and in Toronto on September 25.
With cleanups taking place all across Canada, the week has been dedicated to making our beaches and shorelines both safer and cleaner for all those who enjoy it. One group in particular who kayak and hike every week along the Grand River in Waterloo, expressed their desire to give back and came out to show their support. This event is also devoted to showing that we care about the state of our environment.
Wearing gloves and with garbage bags in hand, our volunteers at Cherry Beach managed to collect just over 150 lbs of garbage and recycling in just a matter of hours, while in Waterloo 240 lbs of mostly glass and water bottles were removed from our shores. Common items that were being collected time and time again were plastic bags, cigarettes and shards of glass; all of which can be hazardous for people and wildlife alike. With the data we attained through the cleanup of items collected, we are helping to determine ways we as a community can prevent and avoid environmental degradation and instead move towards promoting environmental stewardship. Great job everyone!
Royal St. George's College at Cherry Beach, Toronto, ON.
YLC members, Chelsea and Shailyn cleaning around the Grand River, Waterloo, ON.
Outreach Program to Expand Coast to Coast
Posted: September 2, 2011
After a successful outreach campaign throughout Southern Ontario in 2010-11, Roots & Shoots will be continuing to expand our classrooms program to select regions from coast-to-coast! Our dedicated Youth Leadership Council are looking forward to visiting classrooms and sharing their passion with students and sharing their inspiring stories of taking action for people, animals and the environment.
These visits will include a dynamic, interactive presentation focusing on endangered species, specifically chimpanzees. The presentations will place emphasis on the connectedness between people, animals, and the environment. Further, through the presentation we endeavor to foster compassion toward all living things, and inspire audience members to take action in their communities!
If you live in:
Surrey, Coquitlam, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, BC
Calgary, AB
Sudbury, Kitchener/Waterloo, London, Toronto, Ottawa, ON
Montreal, QC
Sackville, NB
And you are interested in a presentation please contact
From October 21 - 22, 2011, the Jane Goodall Institute will host the second annual Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots North America Training Summit for community leaders and service learning professionals.
Through fun, interactive workshops and activities, the Summit provides participants with opportunities to:
Learn the Roots & Shoots method of environmental service learning,
Learn best practices for community centered conservation,
Gain new skills and resources to start and mentor a Roots & Shoots group, and
Interact with experts in science and sustainable development.
Networking with other leaders from across North America including Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and the United States, participants will leave not only leave with new skills and tools, but also with relationships that will last a lifetime.
Teachers Head to Uganda to Promote Environmental Education
Posted: July 5, 2011
A new group of Canadian educators has headed to Uganda to participate in our unique environmental education workshops!
JGI Uganda, in collaboration with JGI Canada, has developed teacher-training workshops targeting local primary-school teachers. The interactive and highly-collaborative workshops focus on developing lesson plans, games and activities about the environment that children can understand. The Ugandan teachers then go back to their schools and train other teachers on the methods they have learned.
The first workshop took place in July 2008 and has continued every March and July since then. Canadian teachers are making a big impact, assisting to train even more teachers about the importance of environmental education!
Environment Canada- Protecting Canada's natural environment reaps a world of benefits for Canadians, from strengthening the economy to enhancing health and quality of life. Canadian Environment Week is the perfect time to celebrate our achievements and initiatives in tackling climate change and reducing air pollution.
The United Nations declared 2011 to be the International Year of Forests. Celebrating the International Year of Forests is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types
of forests.
This year’s theme for Canadian Environment Week is: Preserving our Forests, Protecting our Future.
Canadian Environment Week will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year!
We want to make sure that whether you are swimming, running, canoeing, planting, or educating, you are sure to get outside and celebrate Canada's beautiful backyard!
If you do, tell us all about it by filling out our "Roots
Check out the Government of Canada's 'Canadian Environment Week' website to learn about great ideas for celebrating and protecting our planet!
Verge Magazine Photo Challenge
Posted: May 19, 2011
Verge Magazine wants you to help them see the world differently.
As global Roots & Shoots members, we know that you have many stories to tell. Show a snippet of one of your life-changing journeys, and tell why it mattered.
Submit a picture of how you are making a difference—or show them the people, places and experiences that are making a difference to you.
Enter today for a chance to win $1000 and be featured in Verge Magazine!
Join the 2011-12 Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Council!
Posted: May 9, 2011
Roots & Shoots is growing all across Canada! There are now over 500 groups spanning almost every Canadian province and territory. As a youth-driven program, we are seeking youth ambassadors to implement Roots & Shoots programs and support members and other leaders, while developing their own leadership skills.
Are you between the ages of 16 and 25? And dedicated to helping people, animals and the environment? Join our Youth Leadership Council!
Apply before June 12, 2011 to be considered for...
Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots YLC 2011-12:
• Participate in once in a lifetime opportunities in Canada and abroad
• Connect with youth all over the world
• Provide mentorship to active groups and
help implement community projects
Join us in celebrating one of the most important days of the year on Friday, April 22nd! We can't wait to see how all of the incredible events turn out this week! We're sure it's going to be excellent.
One of our staff members will be out during Earth Week to take capture some of the action and join our Roots & Shoots groups in the celebrations!
If you are organizing an event you would like us to attend, please let us know and we'll bring a smiling face, a canvas bag, tin water bottle, alternative means of transportation (bike, skateboard, kite, rollerblades, sneakers) and our camera!
If you're interested in participating any of the many events in your area, you can visit
Dr. Jane flew into to Toronto to almost 300 enthusiastic Roots & Shoots members attending our unique "6 Degrees to Gombe: Celebrating Our Champions" event at the University of Toronto. From songs and raps, to speeches and videos, our Roots & Shoots groups wowed Dr. Goodall with all of the wonderful things they have been doing in their schools and communities.
Dr. Jane also had the opportunity to speak to us, sharing her Roots & Shoots story and celebrating the extraordinary work of young people all over the world!
After a brief stay in Toronto, Jane and the JGI-Team headed off to Nova Scotia for a wonderful youth event at the Discovery Centre in downtown Halifax. With over 70 kids and news reporters excitedly packed into the centre's main theatre, Jane left us all with a message of hope. That if we follow our dreams and never give up... We too can find our own place of peace --- our own Gombe.
Check us out on Facebook for pictures of our events!
Jane Goodall and Roots & Shoots in Toronto!
Posted: March 16, 2011
Join us, and Dr. Jane, in celebrating the great work of our Roots & Shoots members at a special event on April 1st, 2011: 6 Degrees to Gombe: Celebrating Our Champions
This one-of-a-kind event will profile the work of our dedicated Roots & Shoots members who continue to inspire and take part in extraordinary projects in their communities for people, animals, and the environment.
The event will give our Roots & Shoots Champions the opportunity to share their ideas, inspiration and community projects with Dr. Goodall and other Roots & Shoots members from all over the province!
If you're a Roots & Shoots Group (sign-up here) and would like to come and join us, please contact Alec Simpson at alec@janegoodall.ca.
Who: Jane Goodall and You
Where: Earth Science Building Rm. 1050
University of Toronto
5 Bancroft Ave., Toronto, ON
When: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Friday, April 1st, 2011
Contact: (416) 978-4799, Alec Simpson
Join us in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Roots & Shoots!
Posted: February 18, 2011
On February 19, 1991, a group of 12 local teenagers met with Dr. Jane Goodall on her back porch in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. They wanted to discuss a range of problems they had experienced first-hand, including deforestation in the mountains, and the future of wild animals like Dr. Jane's threatened chimpanzees. Dr. Jane was impressed by their compassion, their energy and their desire to develop a grassroots-style solution to problems. Although Dr. Jane was involved in their meetings, the project was carried out entirely by the teens. The first ever Roots & Shoots group was born.
Little did the teens know, they had started something that was to have a huge global impact 20 years later. Today, in more than 120 countries around the world, hundreds of thousands of Roots & Shoots members are working together on youth-led service projects with the aim of improving communities and making the world a better place for people, animals and the environment.
As a result of her extensive work with our Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Council, her yearly participation in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and her dedication to international volunteerism, Shailyn, along with 8 other young Canadians, is being recognized this week, International Development Week, for her commitment to inspiring change worldwide.
Along with the 8 other changemakers, Shailyn put together a video, which is enrolled in a competition for funding for both Shailyn's future adventures and a charity of her choice!
The Jane Goodall Institute’s success in protecting habitat for chimpanzees and other wildlife in Africa depends on creating programs that are controlled and embraced by the local people. JGI's community-centred conservation (CCC) programs in Africa empower and give villagers the tools to build sustainable livelihoods while promoting regional conservation goals, such as reforestation and ending the illegal commercial bushmeat trade.
In 2010, JGI Canada began a three-year CCC project in Uganda, called the “Sustainable Livelihoods Project". The overall goal of the project is to improve the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of local people in north-western Uganda, while simultaneously conserving the populations of wild chimpanzees that reside in Bugoma and Wambabya Forest Reserves. In the long-term, the project aims to restore a forest corridor between the two forest reserves, in order to provide further habitat and resources for both the chimpanzees and people living in the area.
Other CCC initiatives supported by JGI Canada include:
Snare removal projects in Uganda that involve local communities removing wildlife snares from the forest and creating handmade "snare cards" and jewellery.
The launch of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots in several communities in Uganda, involving school children who complete projects in their communities that benefit people, animals and the environment
The introduction of CCC initiatives to the area surrounding the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo
Ongoing support for JGI's flagship project in Africa – the TACARE program in Tanzania, and the Greater Gombe Ecosystem project.
Roots & Shoots in Action 
The Jane Goodall Institute’s success in protecting habitat for chimpanzees and other wildlife in Africa depends on creating programs that are controlled and embraced by the local people. JGI's community-centred conservation (CCC) programs in Africa empower and give villagers the tools to build sustainable livelihoods while promoting regional conservation goals, such as reforestation and ending the illegal commercial bushmeat trade.
