2016 2016: UMass Dartmouth students form Roots & Shoots chapter in lead up to Dr. Jane Goodall visit

Students form local chapter of youth-led community action and learning program of the Jane Goodall Institute

In the lead up to Dr. Jane Goodall’s April 7 visit to campus, UMass Dartmouth students have established a Roots & Shoots chapter. The group hopes to provide a pathway for UMass Dartmouth students to explore and strengthen their connections with surrounding communities through service projects promoting care and concern for the environment, animal and human connections.

UMass Dartmouth Roots & Shoots members include:

Melissa Burdick, of Whitinsville, MA (Founder)

Alyssa Aucoin, of North Attleboro (President)

Chelsea Romanish, of Dedham, MA (Co-Vice President)

Chris Dill, of Blackstone, MA (Co-Vice President)

Courtney Brown, of Middleboro, MA (Secretary)

Tanner Studley, of Mattapoisett, MA (Treasurer)

World-renowned ethologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall will visit UMass Dartmouth on Thursday, April 7, 2016. Dr. Jane Goodall is best known for her landmark study of chimpanzee behavior in what is now Tanzania beginning 55 years ago.

Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is the youth-led community action and learning program of the Jane Goodall Institute. The program builds on the legacy and vision of Dr. Jane Goodall to place the power and responsibility for creating community-based solutions to big challenges in the hands of the young people. Through the program, young people map their community to identify specific challenges their neighborhoods face. From there, they prioritize the problems, develop a plan for a solution, and take action all while developing the skills and attitudes to become part of the next generation of Dr. Jane Goodalls.