Roots & Shoots youth leader Washo Shadowhawk, from Beaverton, Oregon, has been pa.s.sionate about saving injured animals, especially snakes, since age two. Shown here with Sandy the bearded dragon and Monty the python, whom he rescued from the exotic pet trade. (Meadow Shadowhawk) (Meadow Shadowhawk) The program was born in Dar es Salaam in 1991when twelve students, representatives from several secondary schools, had gathered on my veranda to learn more about the behavior of Tanzania"s wildlife. They were shocked to hear about poaching and other problems and wanted to learn more and help. So they started clubs in their schools, and we organized gatherings to discuss such issues.
How amazing that from such a simple beginning the program has, at the start of 2009, spread to about a hundred countries with some nine thousand active groups, involving young people from preschool through university and beyond. Roots & Shoots is unique in many ways: It links young people from many different cultures, religions and countries; combines care and concern for animals, people, and the environment; and involves people of all ages-there are even groups in retirement homes and prisons! With its shared philosophy, it is spreading seeds of global peace. And it is creating leaders of tomorrow"s world who understand that this life is about more than just making money.
I encourage you to check out the book"s Web site, where I have brought together information about the myriad wonderful projects undertaken by Roots & Shoots to benefit wildlife. And it profiles some quite exceptional young people who are part of our Roots & Shoots Global Youth Leadership Council. I hope that, whatever your age, you will become involved in some way with this program or one of the thousands of other youth groups around the world. You can be a part of this movement simply by consciously doing your bit, every day, to make this a better world for all life. That is the best antidote to despair that I know.
This section is for everyone, young or old, who cares about the animals with whom we share the planet and who is tired of sitting on the sidelines. It provides information about ways you might help the species profiled in this book, organizations you can contact, ways in which you might volunteer.
A CRITICAL Ma.s.s.
But what is most important is that you do something. something. Don"t feel that, because you cannot do all you would like to do (if you only had more time, more money, more influence), then it is better to do nothing. When you read, in your local paper, that a woodland area you love is slated to be developed, don"t just sigh and shrug-take action. Any action. Find out more, who is involved, why it is happening. Write letters. Attend meetings in your town hall. Make your views known. You may not succeed-but you may. If you don"t try, you won"t know. Don"t feel that, because you cannot do all you would like to do (if you only had more time, more money, more influence), then it is better to do nothing. When you read, in your local paper, that a woodland area you love is slated to be developed, don"t just sigh and shrug-take action. Any action. Find out more, who is involved, why it is happening. Write letters. Attend meetings in your town hall. Make your views known. You may not succeed-but you may. If you don"t try, you won"t know.
If one of the stories in this book captures your imagination, moves you and you want to help-contact the relevant organization and ask what you can do. And remember, even if you can only afford to send a small donation-it was thousands of tiny amounts donated that made President Obama"s election campaign so hugely successful!
It is going to take a critical ma.s.s of people who truly care about the future of our planet and our children to turn things around. Please join forces with the remarkable, dedicated men and woman whose efforts are described in these pages. Please help us to achieve our goal of saving the animals and their world.
GLOBAL ACTION.
For many of the endangered animal and plant species in this book, the following resources may help you obtain more information about conservation activities and learning how you can make a difference.
- Support the Jane Goodall Inst.i.tute (JGI). The organization advances the power of individuals to improve the environment for all living things. While continuing Dr. Jane Goodall"s efforts to study and protect chimpanzees, JGI has also become a leader in innovative conservation approaches that better the lives of local people. In addition, the inst.i.tute"s global youth program inspires young people of all ages to become environmental and humanitarian leaders. Visit JGI"s Web site: www.janegoodall.org.
- Join Jane Goodall"s Roots & Shoots. The Roots & Shoots global network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world for people, animals, and the environment. Hundreds of thousands of young people all over the world identify problems in their communities and take action through service projects, youth-led campaigns, and an interactive Web site. To take part, please visit www.rootsandshoots.org.
- Help communities, protect chimpanzees. JGI enables communities living near chimpanzee habitat to become partners in protecting these amazing creatures by a.s.sisting villagers with their most immediate needs such as water, sanitation, and health care, while fostering livelihoods that do not harm the environment. Visit JaneGoodall.org to learn how you can donate to JGI and support these critical programs.
- Become a Chimpanzee Guardian. At the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo, JGI provides safe and caring habitats for orphan chimpanzees-victims of the illegal commercial bushmeat and pet trades. You can support this effort by becoming a Chimpanzee Guardian. To find out more, please visit www.janegoodall.org/chimp_guardian.
- Support Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. This organization is directly involved with the conservation and protection of many species in this book. Visit www.durrellwildlife.org to read more, to adopt animals, and to make donations. to read more, to adopt animals, and to make donations.
- Play a role in conservation by contacting the Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org. This organization protects a variety of vital marine and land habitats. You can get involved by becoming a member, subscribing to the e-newsletter, making donations, and even creating your own personalized nature home page.
- Get inspired through Conservation International at www.conserva tion.org. This nonprofit protects threatened species and habitats through an innovative approach that combines the best of what community and science each has to offer. In addition to making donations, you can take action by calculating your impact on the earth, obtain information about ecotourism, support individual campaigns, and learn about career opportunities in conservation.
- Join the World Wildlife Fund at www.worldwildlife.org to work toward a stable, sustainable future for humans, animals, and ecosystems. You can make donations, adopt an animal, become a member of the conservation action network, or support individual campaigns such as Take Action for Earth Hour. to work toward a stable, sustainable future for humans, animals, and ecosystems. You can make donations, adopt an animal, become a member of the conservation action network, or support individual campaigns such as Take Action for Earth Hour.
- Protect wildlife and wild habitats throughout the world by contacting the Wildlife Conservation Society at www.wcs.org. In addition to its global conservation projects, this organization also manages several wildlife parks in New York such as the Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo. You can get involved by visiting one of the parks, becoming a member, donating your time or funds, and supporting individual campaigns such as the No Child Left Inside Act.
- Be a part of the solution to some of the world"s most complex environmental challenges by contacting the International Union for the Conservation of Nature at www.iucn.org. You can learn more about their global programs, search through their database for a conservation organization near you, and become a donor.
- Check out www.fieldtripearth.org-a project of the North Carolina Zoological Society. Field Trip Earth is a global resource for teachers, students, and proponents of wildlife conservation.
- Enroll in an earth expeditions course at Earth Expeditions ( www.earthexpeditions.org) or earn a master"s degree through the local field program ( www.projectdragonfly.org). These programs engage teachers, environmental professionals, and others directly in conservation at field sites worldwide.
- Educate yourself about the world"s most endangered species by visiting Earth"s Endangered Creatures at www.earthsendangered.com. This Web site lists the facts about each species as well as organizations you can contact that are involved in their conservation.
- Contact your favorite conservation organization such as the National Audubon Society at www.audubon.org, Defenders of Wildlife at www.defenders.org, National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org, or the Environmental Defense Fund at www.edf.org to get involved or make a donation. to get involved or make a donation.
- Listen to howls, screeches, roars, and much more whenever you receive a phone call. The Center for Biological Diversity offers free endangered species ringtones and phone wallpapers. Visit www.rareearthtones.org/ringtones to learn more. You can contact the center directly at to learn more. You can contact the center directly at www.biologicaldiversity.org to find out more about their conservation campaigns and offer your support. to find out more about their conservation campaigns and offer your support.
DOS AND DON"TS Below is a list of dos and don"ts to help protect the animal, plants, and habitats of our fragile Planet Earth.
- Support only those zoos and aquariums that are accredited with the a.s.sociation of Zoos and Aquariums ( www.aza.org).
- Drive safely, since many animals must cross roadways in order to find food.
- Keep the roads clean. Litter attracts wild animals, causing them to be hit by cars.
- Be aware of what"s happening on your public lands (national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management) and how they are managing wildlife.
- Don"t purchase products from companies with bad environmental records. Your financial support will only encourage bad behavior.
- Be mindful of plant and animal habitat when you are out in nature, on bike trails, and so forth.
- Support organizations that advocate for sustainable ocean policies, particularly in international waters.
- Limit seafood intake and educate yourself by visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium"s Seafood Watch Program at www.montereybay aquarium.org. Print its pocket-size recommendations or download them onto your i-phone.
- Reduce your carbon footprint. Find ideas and inspiration from the Global Footprint Network at www.footprintnetwork.org.
ANIMALS AND INSECTS.
ABBOTT"S B b.o.o.bY Take Action - Learn more about the Christmas Island Seabird Project at www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/zim/oeko/seabird_e.html. Sponsored by the University of Hamburg, this project investigates the Abbott"s b.o.o.by as well as two other threatened bird species-the Christmas Island frigatebird and the red-tailed tropicbird-in order to improve conservation efforts. There are opportunities for students to get involved through field a.s.sistantships and research projects.
Meet the Species - Visit Christmas Island National Park and take a guided bird-watching tour. For more information about the park, contact the Christmas Island Tourism a.s.sociation at www.christmas.net.au.
AMERICAN B BURYING B BEETLE.
Take Action - Contact the Roger Williams Park Zoo located in Providence, Rhode Island, at www.rwpzoo.org. You can learn more about their award-winning American burying beetle recovery program as well as make donations to the beetle and other endangered species.
- Remove electronic bugzappers. These attract and kill burying beetles in addition to many other beneficial insect species.
Meet the Species - Visit a zoo that has a captive breeding program such as Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri.
- Watch a video of recently hatched beetle grubs through the Saint Louis Zoo Web site at www.stlzoo.org.
AMERICAN C CROCODILE.
Take Action - Visit the Croc Docs, a University of Floridasponsored Web site at Here you can learn more about animal behavior and conservation efforts, view research publications, and take virtual field trips to Belize and southern Florida to observe crocodiles.
- Never try to feed or entice crocodiles. Not only is it illegal and dangerous, but it may encourage them to approach humans for food in the future.
- Always dispose of fish sc.r.a.ps in a garbage can. Do not throw them in the water.
Meet the Species - Visit the species at Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, or Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
- See the American crocodile at the Philadelphia Zoo, Pennsylvania, or the Central Florida Zoo, Florida.
ANGONOKA (P (PLOUGHSHARE T TORTOISE).
Take Action - Contact the Turtle Conservation Fund at www.turtleconser-vation fund.org to learn more about the latest projects this organization is pursuing to ensure the long-term survival of the ploughshare as well as other highly endangered tortoises, and to make donations. to learn more about the latest projects this organization is pursuing to ensure the long-term survival of the ploughshare as well as other highly endangered tortoises, and to make donations.
- a.s.sist in conservation efforts by contacting Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust at www.durrellwildlife.org. In addition to monitoring and studying the tortoises in what remains of their wild habitat, Durrell is supporting local communities surrounding Baly Bay to protect ploughshares and their habitat. By visiting their Web site, you can make donations, partic.i.p.ate in an adoption program, and search through a list of ecotourism opportunities including a trip to Madagascar.
Meet the Species - Take a field trip to the Honolulu Zoo, Hawaii, to visit the ploughshare tortoise.
ASIAN V VULTURES.
Take Action - Contact the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at www.rspb.org.uk and the International Centre for Birds of Prey at and the International Centre for Birds of Prey at www.icbp.org. Here you can learn more about conservation efforts and make donations to the organizations" captive breeding programs.
- Contact the Peregrine Fund: World Center for Birds of Prey at www.peregrinefund.org. You can learn more about the Asian Vulture Population Project, as well as a.s.sist in the effort by providing information on any vulture colonies you may be aware of in the wild.
- Educate others about the dangers of diclofenac-an anti-inflammatory drug used on domestic livestock. Vultures are killed by feeding on a dead animal that has been treated with this drug.
ATt.w.a.tER"S P PRAIRIE C CHICKEN Take Action - Contribute to the Adopt-a-Prairie-Chicken Program. Send funds that contribute directly to raising APCs in the wild to: Adopt-a-Prairie-Chicken ProgramTexas Parks and Wildlife Department4200 Smith School RoadAustin, TX 78744 Meet the Species - Take a trip to the Att.w.a.ter Praire Chicken National Wildlife Refuge in Eagle Lake, Texas. In addition to plenty of bird-watching, there are volunteer opportunities as well. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/att.w.a.ter.
BACTRIAN C CAMEL.
Take Action - Contact the Wild Camel Protection Foundation at www.wildcamels.com. You can learn more about current conservation efforts, become a member of the foundation, and sponsor a camel.
Meet the Species - Visit Bactrian camels at an AZA-accredited zoo, such as the Denver Zoo, Colorado, or the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
BERMUDA P PETREL (C (CAHOW).
Take Action - Contact the Bermuda Audubon Society at www.audubon.bm to learn more about conservation efforts, obtain information about Bermuda bird-watching tours, and make donations to cahow recovery programs. to learn more about conservation efforts, obtain information about Bermuda bird-watching tours, and make donations to cahow recovery programs.
- Visit the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo at www.bamz.org to make donations for the recovery of cahow and other endemic species, to learn more about the Bermuda Biodiversity Project, and to donate your time as a volunteer. to make donations for the recovery of cahow and other endemic species, to learn more about the Bermuda Biodiversity Project, and to donate your time as a volunteer.
Meet the Species - Contact the Bermuda Inst.i.tute of Ocean Sciences at www.bios.edu to inquire about ecotours or educational opportunities. to inquire about ecotours or educational opportunities.
BLACK R ROBIN (C (CHATHAM I ISLAND R ROBIN).
Take Action - Visit the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand at www.forestandbird.org.nz to make general donations, to learn about volunteer opportunities, and to join this organization. to make general donations, to learn about volunteer opportunities, and to join this organization.
- Send donations for conservation efforts to: New Zealand Threatened Species Trustc/o Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc.PO Box 631Wellington, New Zealand BLACK-FOOTED F FERRET.
Take Action - Contact Prairie Wildlife Research at www.prairiewildlife.org. Through this organization, you can learn more about the species, sponsor a ferret through their adoption program, or donate directly to on-the-ground conservation efforts.
- Support organizations that work to conserve prairie dogs (black-footed ferret habitat) such as the Prairie Dog Coalition and the Nature Conservancy.
- Explore the prairie and learn about it. It is North America"s most endangered ecosystem because people simply take it for granted.
Meet the Species - Take a guided night walk at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota during late summer. Do not go out spotlighting alone. It is illegal without a permit and could disrupt the work of biologists or disturb the animals.
- Visit a zoo that breeds black-footed ferrets in captivity such as Louisville Zoo, Kentucky; Toronto Zoo, Ontario; Phoenix Zoo, Arizona; National Zoo, Washington, DC; Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado.
BLUE-AND-GOLD MACAW.
Take Action - Visit the Carl H. Lindner Jr. Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at www.cincinnatizoo.org. This state-of-the-art research facility is dedicated to saving endangered plant and animal species such as the blue-and-yellow macaw from extinction.
- Contact Bernadette Plair, director of the Center for the Rescue of Endangered Species of Trinidad and Tobago (CRESTT), at [email protected] if you are interested in contributing to conservation efforts. You can donate to this organization as well by mailing checks to: Center for the Rescue of Endangered Species of Trinidad & Tobago Center for the Rescue of Endangered Species of Trinidad & TobagoAttn: Alex deVerteuil119 Roberts Street, PO Box 919Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - Do not destroy the habitat of the birds.
- Do not poach the nests for chicks.
- Do not buy macaw pets that are not captive-bred.
CALIFORNIA C CONDOR.
Take Action - Visit the California Condor Recovery Program at www.cacondor conservation.org to find out more about conservation efforts, to make donations, to volunteer as a nest monitor, and to subscribe to the newsletter. This Web site also offers ideas for cla.s.sroom activities to teach students about these endangered birds and what they can do to help. For more specific information about becoming a nest monitor, contact Estelle Sandhaus at [email protected] or Joseph Brandt at [email protected] to find out more about conservation efforts, to make donations, to volunteer as a nest monitor, and to subscribe to the newsletter. This Web site also offers ideas for cla.s.sroom activities to teach students about these endangered birds and what they can do to help. For more specific information about becoming a nest monitor, contact Estelle Sandhaus at [email protected] or Joseph Brandt at
- Volunteer to take part in condor habitat enhancement on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex lands and other public lands around the Central and Southern California region. To get involved, contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service at www.fws.gov.
- Make donations to the Condor Survival Fund, which supports worthwhile projects not otherwise covered by funding from other organizations or governmental agencies involved in the condor program. To make a tax-deductible contribution, send checks payable to the Condor Survival Fund to: Office of Accounting & Human Services Office of Accounting & Human ServicesSanta Barbara Museum of Natural History2559 Puesta del Sol RoadSanta Barbara, CA 93105 - Never feed or approach a condor.
- Don"t leave garbage or poisons such as antifreeze in the wild.
- If you are a hunter: Use nonlead bullets, such as copper. Be sure of your shot, and never leave any of your game behind. Bury the gut pile of field-dressed game to make it less obvious to scavengers. Don"t hesitate to report any illegal shootings.
Meet the Species - Visit California condors at the San Diego Zoo.
CASPIAN H HORSE.
Take Action - Contact the Caspian Horse Society of the Americas at www.caspian.org, or the Caspian Horse Society (UK) at www.caspianhorsesociety.org.uk, to obtain more information about the breed and to become a supporting member of these organizations.
Meet the Species - Visit the Caspian horse at the Memphis Zoo, Tennessee.
COELACANTH.
Take Action - Learn more about the species by visiting the South African Inst.i.tute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB at www.saiab.ac.za), a worldwide resource for coelacanth information and an internationally recognized center for the study of aquatic biodiversity.
- Limit your seafood, and if you do eat seafood, eat conscientiously. Visit the World Wildlife Fund"s Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (Sa.s.sI) at www.wwfsa.s.si.co.za. The program educates wholesalers and restaurateurs, as well the general public, about buying sustainable seafood in South Africa and avoiding exploited or endangered sea animals.
COLUMBIA B BASIN P PYGMY R RABBIT.
Take Action - Contact the Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that has protected more than thirty thousand acres of shrub-steppe habit for the pygmy rabbit and several other species that make this area of Washington State their home. Go to www.nature.org to learn more about conservation efforts, to become a volunteer, and to make monetary or real estate donations. to learn more about conservation efforts, to become a volunteer, and to make monetary or real estate donations.
- Work directly with the reintroduction and research of pygmy rabbits by contacting the endangered species program of Washington State University and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at or or the Species - Support the pygmy rabbit captive breeding program at the Oregon Zoo by viewing the exhibit or by visiting their Web site at www.oregonzoo.org. You can also watch a video of pygmy rabbits being released into the wild.
COTTON-TOP T TAMARIN.
Take Action - Contact Proyecto t.i.ti at www.proyectot.i.ti.com. Through this conservation program you can learn more about cotton-top tamarins, make donations, and purchase eco-products such as mochilas. Purchasing these items will help local communities decrease their dependency on forest products. And with a stable source of income, local communities can help protect the cotton-top tamarin for future generations of Colombians.
CRESTED I IBIS.
Take Action - Contact Earth"s Endangered Creatures at www.earthsendangered.com to find out more about the crested ibis. to find out more about the crested ibis.
Meet the Species - Embark on an ecotour to see the crested ibis through Wings Birding Tours Worldwide. Visit for more information about specific excursions. for more information about specific excursions.