Roots and Shoots News April2002
Cindy Fadel reports that the Earth Day 2002 at the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery was a great sucess despite the dreary weather, and that as a result Roots and Shoots has been getting a lot of interest! Thanks to all who were able to make it.
Our service project with the Binder Park Zoo on Friday April 12 was well attended. And the members worked hard (see photo.) The day ended suddenly with an intense downpour! We will return for some additional work in a couple of weeks, after the zoo has opened.
Our Visit to the Roots and Shoots Festival
by James Green and Janice Marsh-Prelesnik
On Tuesday, February 12, many of us journeyed to the Meijer Botanical Garden in Grand Rapids, to take part in the Roots and Shoots Festival, and to catch a glimpse of Dr. Jane Goodall.
Roots and Shoots is a program started by Jane Goodall that involves children in stewardship of the earth and of all of its creatures, by educating, and by encouraging community projects. This was exciting for me as Jane Goodall has been a major influence in my life. Since I was a child I have admired her vision and gentle, compassionate spirit, and yet she was a warrior woman too. I aspired to grow into an intently focused, but grounded adult ready to change the world like Jane.
The day was well organized, thanks to the Kalamazoo Nature Center. We listened to a Native American stories, heard stories about ecology and the needs of animals, heard live music related to nature, looked at projects that Roots and Shoots groups have achieved, and were inspired by a Jane Goodall's talk.
Here is what homeschooler James Green had to say about the talk.
At the beginning she made us say 'hello' in chimpanzee language. It was amazing how she came up with the name for the Roots and Shoots program. Here is what she said: 'I came up with the name because of how roots can implant themselves in the ground and shoots may seem weak but they will break through a brick wall to get to sunlight. Children are strong like that, and each individual can make a difference in the world.'
She also talked about what Roots and Shoots is all about. She said that the groups educate people about the environment and environmental concerns, that groups could plant trees & gardens, and help people in their communities.
Thanks for that report James. It certainly was an inspiration to meet Jane Goodall, who has changed the world in such a positive way.
Our Own Roots and Shoots
To all of you who were able to attend the Roots and Shoots Festival at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, thank you for making the effort to come. I think that everyone had an inspirational experience listening to Jane Goodall. We are certainly excited and motivated to help make our world a better place. We are beginning a Home School chapter of Roots and Shoots immediately for all interested home schoolers. SPREAD THE WORD. Our first meeting was March 8th.
Roots and Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute�s environmental and humanitarian program for youth of all ages. Visit her website at http://www.janegoodall.org.
Our mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for animals, the environment, and the human community.
Our Kalamazoo Area Home School group will welcome all home schoolers who are interested in active participation on the part of every member.
Dr. Goodall believes that every individual makes a difference in the world around them, and that each individual plays an important role on earth. As a group we will emphasize the importance of each individual contributing to the program. We will need help and we will need people willing to put forth the effort to truly make a difference.
In keeping with the goals of the Roots and Shoots Program, our program goals will be to
1) implement positive change in the environment,
2) to demonstrate care and concern for all animals, and
3) to enhance understanding between individuals in the community. In accomplishing these goals, we will then reach the ultimate goal of developing self respect and confidence in our young people so that we can all have hope for the future. Details: Our program will meet once a month at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, the second Friday morning of the month from 10-12:00. The cost of this program is $35.00/group per year to register with the Jane Goodall Institute. There will be no dues, but there may be cost for project expenses as the year progresses. Our goal will be to make this a low cost to no cost program, but that will involve fund raiser activities and significant volunteerism. If you are interested in joining this group please contact Brenda Colvin, or Cindy Fadel. --Brenda
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Roots and Shoots is a program started by Jane Goodall that involves children in stewardship of the earth and of all of its creatures, by educating, and by encouraging community projects.
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