Roots & Shoots groups don't just talk about problems and solutions; they take action to create change! This couldn't be truer of three groups in Ontario and Quebec: BSS, Allion and CWA. Led by enthusiastic leaders, they have taken on a wide range of projects and have made a significant positive impact in their schools and communities.

BSS Grade 6 Roots & Shoots is comprised of one grade 6 class at Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, Ontario. The group was started at the all girls' school by Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Council member, Julia Coburn, as part of the Acacia Female Leadership Initiative (AFLI).

Allion School Roots & Shoots and Children's World Academy (CWA) Roots & Shoots are groups in Lasalle, Quebec led by Mary Rutherford. Both have been very active this year and one of their projects was even featured in the local news!

All of the groups displayed initiative and creativity, getting involved with existing community initiatives for some projects, and developing their own in-school activities for others.

Helping Homeless & Endangered Animals
Following the Roots & Shoots model (Knowledge-Compassion-Action), BSS and Allion both began by researching animal issues to determine where to focus their efforts. BSS decided to help stray animals in Toronto. Allion went further afield, choosing to concentrate on the koala since it's affected by habitat loss (and because it's their school symbol). Both groups raised money by holding a "grub day" – when students pay to wear casual clothes instead of school uniforms. BSS used their funds to buy pet food for distribution at the local community centre and Allion made a donation to an organization that protects koala habitat.

Cutting Out the Trash
To protect the environment, Allion and CWA promoted the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and succeeded in changing the behaviour of their fellow students. Using a variety of techniques, both groups raised awareness about minimizing their environmental footprints... then turned awareness into action. Allion hung informational posters around their school and at a nearby high school, put on plays for younger students, and mobilized a group to pick up litter on the school grounds throughout the year. CWA weighed the garbage the entire school produced in one lunch period and worked with students to decrease it. They managed to cut down the school’s lunch time waste from 70 to 50 lbs per day – a reduction of almost 30%!

For their environmental project, BSS learned what a huge impact people can make when they work together. The group participated in "Trees Across Toronto", an initiative that took place in five parks throughout the city. They planted an amazing 800 trees at Earl Bales Park, a significant portion of the 4,000 trees planted in total.

Contributing to the Community
Focusing on a project that means something to you personally is a great way to get motivated. When Anthony Grippo from CWA had an idea to organize a walkathon to support the Montreal Children's Hospital, his school's Roots & Shoots group provided the perfect avenue to bring his idea to life. Their goal was to raise money for activities and entertainment for sick kids at the hospital; Anthony thought of it because he had been hospitalized there. Together with the hospital and the local police, they planned a two-kilometre walk. Students received pledge forms and the school raised over $4,300! The walk was even featured in the Montreal Gazette.

BSS took on a variety of projects. Group members volunteered at a local community centre to help deliver the monthly dinner; gathered 500 books for the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario's Summer Reading Book Drive for Aboriginal Youth; and formed a partnership with Nganza Girls Secondary School Roots & Shoots in Tanzania through Partnerships in Understanding. You can read more about their activities in the AFLI newsletter.

Want your Roots & Shoots group featured in the next newsletter? Submit your best water-related projects (with pictures) by November 1, 2009 to be considered.