Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI) global environmental and humanitarian youth program, is partnering with the Ocean Institute (www.ocean-institute.org) to host the 2010 California Youth Leadership Summit November 19-21.
Each year, the summit attracts an average of 100 youth and chaperones from all across the state who share a common vision and values about the future. The young leaders, who hail from a variety of diverse communities, gather to explore ways they can effect positive change in their neighborhoods and around the world. At the summit, participants develop and strengthen leadership skills through environmentally related workshops and activities. Topics of discussion range from project planning, team building and public speaking to how to spread the word about their efforts whether through traditional media or social networking.
This year, participants will have a unique opportunity to explore the amazing facilities and programs offered by the Ocean Institute, including the chance to look at dolphins, whales and sea lions up close through traveling to sea on the R/V Sea Explorer, and to learn about California’s fragile intertidal ecosystems through interactive laboratory and field work, including guided excursions in the Dana Point Marine Life Sanctuary.
Also on the summit schedule are presentations from the Wyland Foundation, a marine conservation group created by world-renown marine artist Wyland, and an interactive program offered by Earl Richmond, an award-winning blue whale videographer who has worked on BBC’s Blue Planet, as well as with Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and National Geographic.
While at the summit, attendees will be preparing to launch On the Edge: Hope for Animals and Their World, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots next national campaign, which will focus on raising awareness about endangered species and biodiversity. The campaign is aimed at empowering youth to protect the endangered species, including those found along California’s coastline.
“Our partnership with the Ocean Institute will provide our California members the chance to learn about ocean conservation—and what they can do to help—from experts in the field,” said Allison Deines, national director for Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots. “Armed with knowledge from the summit presentations and workshops, as well as with the skills practiced on site, they will be ready and eager to get the campaign underway and to protect endangered ocean life.” Bentley Cavazzi, Vice President of Operations at the Ocean Institute, agrees. “These young leaders hold the key to future environmental change and the preservation of our planet’s fragile ecosystems; we are proud to partner with Roots & Shoots to help inspire these students and ours through education and interaction with leading individuals in this field.”
About the Jane Goodall Institute:
Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute continues Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research on chimpanzee behavior—research that transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Today, the Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. It also is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa, and Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, the global environmental and humanitarian youth program, which has groups in more than 120 countries. For more information, please visit www.janegoodall.org.
About Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots:
Founded in 1991 by Dr. Jane Goodall and a group of Tanzanian students, the Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen—for our communities, for animals and for the environment. With hundreds of thousands of young people in more than 120 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action. Through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website, Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe. For more information, please visit www.rootsandshoots.org.
About the Ocean Institute
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean. The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), Ocean Institute members free.
Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point.
Website: www.ocean-institute.org. Phone: (949) 496-2274.
