Things have been moving so fast at Roots & Shoots. We now stand at 1285 schools – the last time I was writing this we had not yet reached our first 1000!

We have also managed to raise almost 15,000 for the programme thanks to a donation from the Belgian Tourist Board and a number of exciting events in the last six months.

The awards event on December 10th was a huge success and for the first time we had R&S directors attending from other parts of Europe including Spain, Holland and Hungary. As a result of the programme’s success, we are increasingly being invited to speak at events, conferences and seminars – not only in the UK but in Europe as well.

During my time at JGI a common phrase I keep hearing is;

“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”.

Dr Jane has now amended this phrase to say, we don’t borrow it we STEAL it from our children.

Seeing her travel 300 days of the year and hearing her speak at so many events, the one area that continues to give her hope, despite all the problems in the world, are the Roots & Shoots members – therein lies our future as she sees it.

If anyone can save the planet – we can!

What a wonderful gift and sense of purpose to be given and I’ve no doubt each and everyone of us can rise to the challenge.

Download full Summer 2011 newsletter

Dr Goodall travels for much of each year spreading her message of peace and hope around the world. She welcomes invitations from schools (acting as hosts for a group of schools locally), organizations, and corporations that share her mission to help people, animals and the environment. For your invitation to be considered, please fill out the following form and email it to Jasmina Marcheva – jasmina@janegoodall.org.uk

Download the Lecture Request Form (Word Document).

Happy New Year!

I have to admit that January and February are my least favourite calendar months – cold, dark and a bit miserable. But hope is here, Spring is on the way and given how quickly time passes will be here before we know it. To celebrate spring, this term Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is encouraging schools to focus on projects which help benefit the environment, and in particular, will help minimise the impact of climate change over time. Read all about our recommended Spring term environment activities here.

And we have a lot to celebrate here at R&S – there are almost 700 groups taking part in our programme! What a great achievement and thank you to all those who have spread our message and engaged more schools and more importantly, those taking part.

I attended the JGI Global meeting towards the end of last year where representatives from our offices around the world come together to share ideas and updates on our various activities. I was thrilled to learn that R&S UK is one of the most successful countries of the institute’s programme – topped only by China, USA and Tanzania. Keep up the good work!

The awards event on December 14th was a roaring success and we now have secured a major new sponsor.

We will try to visit as many schools as possible over the coming school year but if you particularly feel we need to visit your school then please get in touch and tell us why!

We look forward to hearing from you,

Tara Golshan,
Executive Director

Download full Spring 2010 newsletter

At the end of last year we had a huge uplift in the number of new schools joining Roots & Shoots.

We have grown from 74 to over 270 schools taking part in the programme – an amazing result in such a short period of time! This is very exciting and you can see our UK representation of schools on the map [see homepage].

This year our focus is going to be on involvement, that is supporting and visiting schools already taking part in the programme and encouraging them with their projects. It is one thing for schools to register with us but our mission is to encourage on-going projects and community involvement and eventually make Roots & Shoots a way of living for all our members.

The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to be some great politician or in a position of power to make a difference in the world. Charity begins at home! So start in your own house, with your household pets for example or being good to your neighbours. My own neighbours are involved in lots of local charitable work and help out in a home for sheltered animals and their
local Oxfam.

Our awards event is set for December 14th, which gives you plenty of time to plan and undertake projects. The event will take place at the headquarters of the Zoological Society of London in Regents Park.

we will try to visit as many schools as possible over time but if you particularly feel we need to visit your school then get in touch and tell us why!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Tara Golshan,
Executive Director

Download full Spring 2009 newsletter

Welcome to Autumn.

What an exciting year this has been
for us!

We now have 79 schools signed up to the Roots & Shoots programme with more schools joining us every day. We have seen some interesting developments.

In July we had an invitation to visit No 10 Downing Street and met with the PM’s advisor on the Environment, Michael Jacobs. The Government have now pledged to support our Roots & Shoots
programme.

For the first time we celebrated International Day of Peace in London on the 21st September. At the same time as parading our Giant Peace Doves, we also managed to raise money for the James Bulger Red Balloon memorial centre in Liverpool that helps bullied children restore their lives.

On another note, we formed a partnership with Eco-schools whereby Roots & Shoots activities
now count towards the Eco-schools Green Flag award.

During the coming winter months remember the great thing about Roots & Shoots is it’s flexibility.
If you can’t get outside to do your environmental work, there is nothing to stop you getting involved with some human community projects – of which there are many – and helping those less fortunate and less privileged than yourselves.

After all, that is what the festive period is all about – isn’t it?

Merry Xmas and see you in the New Year.

Tara Golshan,
Executive Director

Download full Autumn 2008 newsletter

Welcome to Summer!

That has a lovely ring to it doesn’t it? June is my favourite month of the year – the herald of Summer, the longer days, the light mornings and most importantly the beautiful cherry blossom.

The last few months have been very rewarding. We enjoyed a visit from Jane in May to both Oxford and Edinburgh. We are also exploring some very exciting projects with both ZSL (the Zoological Society of London) and Eco-Schools.

Both ZSL and the Ecology Centre in Holland Park plan to start their very own Roots & Shoots groups who meet on a regular basis to implement hands on Roots & Shoots projects in their localities.

Moreover, Roots & Shoots are going into partnership with Eco-Schools whereby completion of our projects contribute to an eco-schools award.

In March I visited Austria, Vienna, to meet with our European R&S offices and to hear about the
exciting projects that are taking place across the Channel. It’s good to know that our goals and
aspirations are shared amongst groups across the globe.

Two important dates to remember in September – the Roots & Shoots Awards and Peace Day. Peace Day will have a very special significance this year as the National Theatre will be projecting the image of the Peace Dove in London for all to see so make sure that you plan your activities to support this great day.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Keep up the good work!

Tara Golshan,
Executive Director

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Welcome to 2008.

I hope that your New Year has got off to a great start. Although many see January and February as dreary months, the best part of it is that the longest night has passed. In a few weeks time the first signs of Spring will start to appear and, as I write this, Roots & Shoots projects are busily being planned in schools across the UK.

Last December was our busiest month as Dr Jane was in the UK on a hectic tour which included visiting schools and universities and attending the first ever Roots & Shoots Awards.

The Awards proved a successful note to end the year on with an exciting London event, where schools from across the UK showcased their Roots & Shoots humanitarian and environmental work.

Despite the amount of pessimistic news we are exposed to nowadays on television, through the media and internet and the escalating problems that man inflicts on our planet, I always feel hopeful for the future through the young people that I meet on my travels with Dr Jane, who demonstrate such enthusiasm, hope and compassion for our planet. It spurs me on to go to work everyday for JGI and make a positive difference to the world – however modest!

Please join me…

Together we can make a difference…

Tara Golshan,
Executive Director

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