Ideal Bite

I recently went to see a lecture by Dr. Jane Goodall, famous scientist and animal ambassador (she's the one on the right - photo by Tyler Shaw). The focus of the evening was children. In collaboration with ICRT, she talked mostly about Roots and Shoots, a youth-driven program she started where kids act on behalf of the environment, animals, and other people. There are 10,000 groups in 111 countries around the world, involving kids from preschool to university, and they are doing some amazing things. For example, in CA, one group pulled 450,000 pounds of trash out of the LA River in a day. Another group planted 1,000 trees. Another raised $16K through recycling and bought 3,000 life straws for people who do not have safe drinking water abroad.

She also told a story about a little boy from the Bronx who after hearing her talk about animal welfare in circuses and in marketing campaigns, wrote letters to a major company objecting to the mistreatment of animals photographed for its packaging  - the packaging was pulled.

R&S also has a leadership council - all teens - who come up with new projects, reach out and even visit other groups in other countries…overall, I was just so impressed with the program's success at empowering and connecting all of these kids. You can find a group here, and if you ever have a chance to take your kids to a DJG lecture, go for it. Two young girls at the event went up to the mic just to tell her she was their hero. She is so hopeful, intelligent, patient, and informed - just an outstanding role model.

-Jenifer…off to crack open Dr. G's newest book, Hope for Animals and Their World…