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.
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.
This short story takes us full circle from the moment of inspiration to the completion of a project. The story speaks to the power of one and the ability of individuals to effect change; it illustrates how local action can have a global impact; it reveals that good deeds not only help the beneficiary, they also have profound effects on the benefactor.
The first project of the GYCWC is to raise $5000 USD for the construction of the first wildlife rehabilitation centre in Nepal. The project is being managed by Nepal Roots & Shoots.
Check out the GYCWC website to read more about their amazing work and see how you can become involved!
Public Service Announcements
Delegates at the 2008 Jane Goodall Institute Global Youth Summit worked hard to create these Public Service Announcements, which aim to raise awareness and spread the message about important global issues such as water scarcity, war and violence, and animal extinction. Check out the PSAs created by Canadian delegates below.
This video features David, Shadrach, Mamadou, and Anna from Guelph.
Watch the PSA by
Zander, Stefan, and Meghan from Atlantic Canada.
Watch the PSA by
Manoj, Katia, and Julia from Toronto.
Watch the PSA by Cynthia, Lars, Sally, and Devora from Toronto.
Watch the PSA by
Yikai, Wei, Hsiao-Chi, and Marco from Vancouver.
Watch the PSA by Regina, Maia, Calvin, Diego, and Rohit from Mississauga.
Jane & Monica at Mai Po, Hong Kong
Jane Goodall and Monica Guzkowzka, former Roots & Shoots Canada National Program Manager, clear
Mikania with Roots & Shoots Hong Kong at the Mai Po Nature Reserve.
Primatology 101
When Jane Goodall first traveled to Africa she was 23 and didn't know anything about chimpanzees. Thanks to her observations resarch is now done around the world to to increase our knowledge of chimps and issues that affect them.
Want to brush up on your chimpanzee knowledge before heading out to see the traveling exhibit Discovering Chimpanzees that's touring around North America? Become a budding primatologist by checking out these links online:
Think you know chimps? Click on the picture of Eddy holding a stick to test your reactions at acting like a chimpanzee:
Can you spot the differences in chimps' faces and behaviour?
This BBC webpage will have you pant hooting and hollering as you try to think like our closest animal relatives!
Want a challenge that's closer to home? The Children's Museum in Kitchener is hosting the Discovering Chimpanzee traveling exhibit that showcases Dr. Jane Goodall's research at Gombe.
Little Animation has included Dr. Jane in their fashion passion! Dress Rosie just like Dr. Jane on this interactive website, and learn more cool facts in her biography.
Mix and match your own wardrobe, or dress up a host of historical figures to learn about other cultures, traditions and champions of environmental causes!
Gombe: In the heart of Tanzania, on the shore of lake Tanganyika, where chimpanzees roam is where it all started--Dr. Jane Goodall’s research and JGI. Find out more about the Gombe Stream research centre today.
Don't have Google Earth software? Download it here.
Roots & Shoots in Action 
