As the author of a book series about eco-heroes, I get a lot of fan mail from kids that are fired up to do something to help the environment. Kids can get fired up by many things: seeing a favorite bit of nature developed, a television show on Animal Planet, PBS or Discovery, a personal experience with wildlife. How do you help the next generation move from being inspired to taking action?
I steer my young fans to a fantastic organization called, Roots and Shoots. Formed by renown primatologist and humanitarian, Jane Goodall, Roots and Shoots channels the energy of youth into making positive change for their communities, for the animals and for the planet!
This amazing network of young people spans the globe. Your young greeniacs can see what other groups are doing and how successes are achieved. Kids can join existing groups with campaigns already underway or start a group of their own. A basic membership is free. For the kid who is ready for the mantle of “leader” a yearly fee opens up a astounding library of tools.
Whether it was March of the Penquins, An Inconvenient Truth , or maybe just the Bambi in the backyard, if your kids are ready to roll up their sleeves and take action, following in Jane Goodall’s footsteps is a great first step!
Also on Green Options:
Gavin Hudson, “Join Jane Goodall for Peace Celebrations Sunday, Free Admission”
[This post was written by Lee Welles.]
Thanks for steering environmental youth leaders toward Roots & Shoots. Hopefully, after forming their R&S group, they’ll connect with other groups and feel more empowered to make a difference in their communities. =)