Roots & Shoots was started by Jane Goodall, DBE, in 1991. The group helps young people from preschool to university age work on problems related to the environment, protecting animals, and helping people. Roots & Shoots has groups in over 140 countries, with more than 8,000 local groups worldwide. These groups include almost 150,000 young people. Many groups work with schools and other organizations. Members are encouraged to find and solve problems in their communities that affect people, animals, or the environment. Charity Navigator gave Roots & Shoots and its parent organization, the Jane Goodall Institute, its highest four-star rating for being responsible and open. This rating shows that 78.1% of the money spent goes directly to programs.

Origin

Roots & Shoots was started in 1991. Jane Goodall began giving talks at local schools in Tanzania. Twelve of her students, chosen by their classmates, met with Goodall at her home. They talked about environmental problems in their area and decided how they could help. These twelve students became the first members of Roots & Shoots. The organization grew from there. One of the original twelve students later became the Minister of Environment for Tanzania. Another became the National Director of Roots & Shoots in Tanzania.

Curricula

The Roots & Shoots curriculum is a program that helps teachers and community leaders work with students and young people. Its main goal is to help students and young people create projects that help the environment, protect animals, and support people in their communities. The program is used in schools from elementary to high school. It encourages students to take part in service projects to learn about helping others and leading.

It helps create projects that match different campaigns and gives tools to help these projects work in local areas. A key part of the program is using science and technology to find out what problems a community has and where projects can help people, animals, or the environment.

The program uses technology in its training. It offers an online course called "Turning Learners into Leaders: Empowering Youth Through Service Innovation." This course helps community leaders learn how to map communities, teach leadership skills, work with community members, and help young leaders find practical solutions for community projects.

Branches

Roots & Shoots operates in at least 27 countries, with offices located in Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Puerto Rico, Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In China, there are four main Roots & Shoots groups in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hong Kong that help over 600 primary school groups.

In Taiwan, Roots & Shoots has groups in many schools and universities.

Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa has started the Roots & Shoots program.

Empire High School in Tucson has also started the Roots & Shoots program.