Dr. Jane Goodall founded Roots & Shoots in 1991 to engage and inspire young people through the planning and implementation of service-learning projects. The principle that knowledge and understanding leads to compassion, and compassion leads to action is at the heart of the Roots & Shoots programme. Roots & Shoots groups undertake service learning projects that involve care and concern for the environment, animals, and people.

At the beginning of 2005 there were Roots & Shoots groups in over 95 countries around the world and over 7,500 individual groups registered. Roots & Shoots is the avenue through which pupils who are interested in the environment can take practical action to do something to protect it. It is also an avenue through which further knowledge can be built on what they learnt in the classroom.

To introduce the Roots & Shoots programme in primary schools around the country, JGI worked in partnership with Wildlife Clubs of Uganda. Roots & Shoots is now a programme that Wildlife Clubs can choose to do within their already established group. New group participate in an introductory workshop. Groups are supplied a Roots & Shoots handbook containing information on how to run their group, activity ideas and information sheets. Active groups receive a newsletter and a visit from the coordinator each school term.

Progress to date (as of April 2008):

• A Roots & Shoots handbook specific to Uganda has been developed
• 59 Roots & Shoots groups have been formed in schools
• 8 Roots & Shoots groups have been formed in communities
• Two introductory workshop have been held
• One advanced workshop has been held for active group leaders
• One Youth Camp held for active group members, their teachers and Head teachers
• 44 groups are currently active

Future Plans:

To expand the programme to include more groups
Funding being sought to offer more support to the active groups