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Our mission is to empower young people to affect positive change in their communities. You can help build a better tomorrow. It starts right here. Right now.
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For Youth

Stand Up for What You Believe in. You want to do something about the problems facing your community and our…
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For Educators

We Believe in Youth and the People who Inspire Them…YOU! Roots & Shoots is a global movement of youth leading…

For Youth

You have the power to build a better world today! Get started making a difference in the ways that matter most to you in your community.
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For Youth

Stand Up for What You Believe in. You want to do something about the problems facing your community and our…
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For Youth Members

You are transforming your community every day with your passion and incredible projects. As Dr. Jane has said, every individual…

For Educators

Inspire the next generation of changemakers - help build a better tomorrow, today! Get resources, lesson plans, professional development and more.
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For Educators

We Believe in Youth and the People who Inspire Them…YOU! Roots & Shoots is a global movement of youth leading…
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Resources

A global community. Support. Quality curriculum. Professional development. And SO much more. Roots & Shoots provides educators with real tools…

Our Model

The Roots & Shoots Model focuses on best-practices in Service Learning to grow compassion and action in young changemakers. Together, we're growing a movement.
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Compassionate Traits

Your best you: Thoughtfulness, creativity, and compassion. From the playground to the boardroom, you hold the key to shaping the…
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4-Step Formula

Get Inspired, Observe, Take Action and Celebrate: Easy as 1,2,3,4! Roots & Shoots is about making positive change happen for…

Projects

Anyone, anywhere can make a difference for people, other animals, and the planet we share. Get started by exploring and creating your own community project!
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Looking for a way to take action right away? If you’re not quite ready or sure how to plan and…

Groups

Every individual makes a difference - and together we can change the world! Find a group near you or start your own to amplify your impact.
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Elsewhere

Visit JaneGoodall.org
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Hop Into the Animal Kingdom

In celebration of Disney and Pixar’s all-new film "Hoppers" and the 30th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund, Disney and Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots are teaming up to connect kids with nature and inspire 100,000 young people to "hop in" to make a difference for animals. In the all-new film, "Hoppers," Mabel gets to "hop in" and experience the animal kingdom like never before. Now, Disney and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots are recognizing young people doing just that.
Hoppers 11

Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots USA is the youth action program of the Jane Goodall Institute, empowering young people to be the change in their communities.​

And for more than a century, Disney has harnessed the power of storytelling to spark wonder and inspire generations to care for animals and the natural world — a vision shared by longtime Disney friend, the late Dr. Jane Goodall. Building on that legacy, and in collaboration with programs like Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, the Disney Conservation Fund has connected millions of kids with nature through programs that remind us all: every one of us has the power to “hop in” and make a difference. ​

Find out more about “Hoppers” and watch the trailer here. Scroll down to enter the challenge!

Get inspired to hop in!

The "Hop Into the Animal Kingdom" Challenge

As part of this celebration, Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots USA is launching a challenge throughout the United States to honor young people doing projects that help animals. To participate in the challenge, 1) join Roots & Shoots (if you haven't already) and 2) do a Roots & Shoots project to help domestic or wild animals. Projects may be individual or collaborative and should be currently in progress or have been completed within the last three months. If your project was/is collaborative, your application should reflect how you serve(d) as a team leader or critical team member. Roots & Shoots staff will select challenge winners from around the country based on the quality and impact of their projects.
Register for Roots & Shoots

Challenge Eligibility

You must be 13-19 years old at the time your application is submitted and you must be based in the United States. You must also be a registered member of Roots & Shoots to apply or register as part of your application (it's free!). The following individuals are NOT eligible to participate: 1) Employees, officers, directors, and agents of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (“Disney”) and their parent, affiliates and subsidiaries. 2) Immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, siblings) and household members of the above.
Register for Roots & Shoots

Recognition for Challenge Winners

Two challenge winners will be selected from each of five U.S. regions:  Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West. Challenge winners will be recognized at the Walt Disney World Resort in the fall of 2026, with opportunities to network, experience immersive animal adventures, and showcase their impact. Winners will receive free flights, lodging, park entrance, and some meals for themselves and up to three additional family members/chaperones. Winners will also be granted $500 to support their ongoing projects or kickstart new projects. Additionally, winners will be invited to participate in the selection of other Roots & Shoots projects for grant awards.

Please note, only one individual representing team projects will be eligible for an award.

Timeline

April 3: Challenge submissions due

April 17: Winners notified

Late April: Winners announced publicly

Fall 2026: Winners recognized and celebrated at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

Get Started on the Challenge

Once you're registered with Roots & Shoots, you're ready to submit information about your project for the challenge. Click below to go to the application page, where you'll find full instructions and the application form. Questions? Email RootsandShoots@JaneGoodall.org.
Get Started On the Challenge

Resources

Roots & Shoots online resources help changemakers identify needs in their community and then plan and complete a service project. Demonstrating that you used any of our resources to help with your project and improve your changemaker skills could strengthen your application.

Here are links to some of our most popular resources:

Roots & Shoots Toolkits
Roots & Shoots 4-Step Formula
Community Mapping (Step 2)
Compassionate Traits Self-Assessment
Roots & Shoots Online Course

This downloadable Hoppers Activity Packet from Disney and Pixar is a great resource too!

How Challenge Submissions Will Be Evaluated

Your application will be reviewed by Roots & Shoots staff members and volunteers. The percentages indicate the weight assigned to category during the application review. Impact and results: 25% Creativity and innovation: 20% Sustainability and replicability: 20% Alignment with Roots & Shoots values: 20% Community engagement: 15%
Learn More About the Challenge and Get Started Here

RELEASE
By participating, entrants release Disney from any and all claims, damages, or liability arising from or related to Challenge participation or prize acceptance.

Roots creep under the ground to make a firm foundation. Shoots seem new and small, but to reach the light they can break through brick walls.

- Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace
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About Roots & Shoots

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