Over 30 years ago, a group of youth gathered on Dr. Jane Goodall’s porch in Tanzania. They told her they could see issues in their community, but felt powerless to fix them — they were losing hope. They asked Dr. Goodall to do something. Her response? No — you do it. Seeing the enormous capacity of young people to make a difference, Dr. Goodall encouraged them to gather their friends and take action. “Jane pointed out that they knew the problems in their community,” Kathleen Kelly, Roots & Shoots Program Director with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), says. “She told them that they could improve things themselves. And that was the start of Roots & Shoots.” Today, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots continues to inspire young people to take action in their communities and create a better world for people, animals and the environment we all share. The youth program supports the JGI’s larger mission to fulfill Jane Goodall’s vision of community-led conservation, which extends to wildlife and habitat research, restoration and conservation. Roots & Shoots is active in 75 countries and all 50 states in the U.S., including six urban basecamps. There are also Roots & Shoots groups in schools, colleges, libraries and other community-based organizations.

From the bustling streets of urban centers to the serene landscapes of national parks, young activists are driving change and advocating for equitable access to nature across the globe. Youth leadership is essential for ensuring that the efforts of the children and nature movement are sustainable and relevant to future generations. Investing in youth leadership better tailors nature connection strategies to young constituents, promotes lifelong activism, results in mutually beneficial outcomes, and supports workforce development and green career pathways. The Children & Nature Network’s Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Fund (YOELF) provides financial support to young advocates and environmental stewards seeking to grow professionally as leaders in the movement. Throughout the year, young adults ages 16-30 are awarded mini-grants of up to $500 from the YOELF. The fund helps grantees implement projects, attend professional development opportunities and host events. While the scope of their initiatives varies, grantees share a unified focus on the environment, community health, well-being and justice — and a passion for creating equitable access to nature.

Seventy-eight communities, representing over 52 million people across the U.S. $3.05 million invested. $11.1 million leveraged. $765,000 in seed grants in 2024 alone. These numbers represent the commitment of Nature Everywhere Communities to providing all children, regardless of race, socioeconomic status or zip code, access to the many proven benefits of nature and outdoor play. Building off the former Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) initiative, the Nature Everywhere Communities initiative is a national partnership between the Children & Nature Network, KABOOM! and the National League of Cities. The initiative works with local teams, technical leads and organizations to increase nature access in participating communities — more than 50 CCCN communities and 28 new Nature Everywhere Communities in 2024.

Over 30 years ago, a group of youth gathered on Dr. Jane Goodall’s porch in Tanzania. They told her they could see issues in their community, but felt powerless to fix them — they were losing hope. They asked Dr. Goodall to do something. Her response? No — you do it. Seeing the enormous capacity of young people to make a difference, Dr. Goodall encouraged them to gather their friends and take action. “Jane pointed out that they knew the problems in their community,” Kathleen Kelly, Roots & Shoots Program Director with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), says. “She told them that they could improve things themselves. And that was the start of Roots & Shoots.” Today, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots continues to inspire young people to take action in their communities and create a better world for people, animals and the environment we all share. The youth program supports the JGI’s larger mission to fulfill Jane Goodall’s vision of community-led conservation, which extends to wildlife and habitat research, restoration and conservation. Roots & Shoots is active in 75 countries and all 50 states in the U.S., including six urban basecamps. There are also Roots & Shoots groups in schools, colleges, libraries and other community-based organizations.