The beauty of Roots & Shoots is that it’s rooted in the belief that anyone, anywhere can change the world for the better. Of course, it’s easier (and more fun!) to come together to make a change, which is why Roots & Shoots USA has been especially focused on bringing our community together. In that spirit, we are so happy to introduce new members of the Roots & Shoots Youth Council! 
🔗 Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA (RSYC) is a group of inspiring young people hand-picked from across the country for their dedication to making positive change happen in their communities. These remarkable young people have already shown an incredible commitment to the power of community service, and exemplify what it means to be a Roots & Shoots changemaker. By bringing them together, our goal is to provide a space for them to learn from one another and amplify their voices Every individual can make a difference, but that difference is magnified when we work together.
We’re beyond proud to showcase the members of our 2024 RSYC — an amazing group that includes young people from all over the United States who bring their own unique skills, background, and stories to the Roots & Shoots family.
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA 2024
Meet our 36 new and returning youth leaders, and learn a bit about their projects and focus areas:
Adrija K., New Jersey, Education + STEAM; Anna G., Tennessee, Environmental Education; Anna R., Georgia, Accessible Composting + Gardening; Ayushi G., Tennessee, Soil & Marine Conservation; Carolyn H., New Jersey, Paper Use Reduction; Charlotte X., New Jersey, Bird Conservation + Storytelling; Chloe N., New York, Accessible Pantries + Libraries; Chloe V., Massachusetts, Pond Ecology + Health; Christian G., California, Youth Environmental Education; Claire G., Florida, Insulin Accessibility; David S., New York, Immigration Advocacy; Emma H., North Carolina, Youth Environmental Stewardship; Esha K., New Jersey, Fighting Hunger; Iveena M., Delaware, Accessible Environmental Education; Jared L., New Jersey, Sports Gear Sustainability; Jessie W., New Jersey, Artistic Recycling; Joshua O., Maryland, Fighting Diaper Poverty; Kate M., California, Preventing Gun Violence; Lauren R., Connecticut, Mental Health Awareness; Loxitawny C., New Mexico, Indigenous Culture + Diversity; Maddy G., California, Pollinator Advocacy; Marlee C., Illinois, Coral Protection + Restoration; Ojas P., Texas, Computer Science + Technology; Oona S., New York, Old Growth Forests; Preston P., New York, Access to Books; Rhea K., New Jersey, Plastic Consumption + Sustainability; Samyukta I, Georgia, Atlanta Community Building; Serena D., Massachusetts, Birds + Urban Development; Sidak C., New Jersey, Local Ecological Education; Sierra S., Utah, Earthquake Safety + Infrastructure; Vaidehi P., Texas, Environmental Advocacy + STEM; Victoria S., New York, Climate Advocacy; Virginia J., Virginia, Conservation Documentary Filmmaking; Vivienne H., Hawai’i, Climate + Gender Equity; Will C., Florida, Mangrove Restoration; Yoshino W., California, Human + Animal Welfare.
With such a variety of passions and experience, this council is bound to create an exciting and impactful year!
The RSYC represents the youth voice of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots USA and helps to inspire people to be compassionate citizens every single day. Through the program, RSYC members gain professional development and support in expanding and implementing their 🔗 Roots & Shoots service projects, unique opportunities to share their perspectives and projects, mentorship from experts, and even international collaborations including exclusive summits. RSYC members are provided fun and comprehensive professional development on topics such as public speaking, storytelling, community-mapping, service learning, and digital activism. Even with all of this, the greatest asset of the RSYC is the friendship, inspiration, collaboration that they find with one another
About Roots & Shoots
As the youth action program of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, Roots & Shoots USA’s mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living beings, promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, other animals, and the environment.
Through Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, Dr. Goodall and JGI empower young people to improve their communities through 🔗 service projects, ensuring that they improve their world for people, other animals, and the planet we share. Roots & Shoots exists in over 65 countries around the world and all 50 US states, growing a movement that’s good for all. You can 🔗 become a member for FREE today and start your very own project and group.
