Roots & Shoots Australia

Toowoomba National Tree Day

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National Tree Day

Roots & Shoots will be attending the Toowoomba Regional Council's National Tree Day 2019 celebrations on Saturday 26th October.

This year, Black Gully Park is tagged to benefit from the planting of 1500 native trees between Holberton Street and Gordon Avenue.

Following the support of last year’s National Tree Day activities at Thiess Park, the 2019 event looks set for a successful repeat with a show of enthusiasm already flowing through from the community.

If you would like to be a stallholder at the celebrations, the Council will supply a marquee and table, you just need to bring along any promotional material you would like to use on the day.

Below is an expression of interest form if you are interested in attending.

Brisbane 2

Tree planting was a greta way to encourage mindfulness and connect people with their environment

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International Peace Day at John Curtin College of the Arts

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International Day of Peace

On the 21st of September, a range of Roots & Shoots Groups across the world celebrated the UN International Day of Peace. Dr Jane Goodall has been a UN messenger of peace since 2002 and inspires us all to live in harmony with nature and each other.

The theme for the 2019 day of peace is Climate Action for Peace, drawing attention to the importance of combatting climate change as a way to protect and promote peace across the world. This ties into the UN sustainable development goal 13 'climate action', which calls for immediate action on lowering greenhouse gas emission, building resilience and improving education on climate change.

The group at John Curtin College of the Arts made doves to promote and make a commitment to world peace.

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Three Young Women Paving the Way for Climate Action

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Three Young Women Paving the Way for Climate Action

Annie Renouf of Macquarie University has recently written an article honouring three women of Macquarie University who are making their mark on climate action attempts in Australia.

Annabel Anderson is the leader of Roots and Shoots Macquarie who has a passion for advocating for animals, people and the planet.

Grace Vegesana is the Western Sydney Organiser for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and a member of Roots and Shoots Macquarie who has a passion for climate justice work in Western Sydney.

Ashley Avci is the Co-founder and President of Shark Conservation Australia who aims to raise awareness and advocate for the conservation of sharks.

Below is a link to the article by Annie Renouf.

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Mark Oliphant College Bring Back the Butterflies

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An amazing little butterfly garden is emerging in the grounds of Mark Oliphant College in South Australia, thanks to a $500 Mini Grant from Roots & Shoots.

The grant is allowing the school’s educators, volunteers, children and families to create the ideal site to attract endemic species of butterflies.

“We have a strong focus in our Centre on connecting children to their nature world,” said Linda Rich, the school’s Head of Children’s Centre.

“Our children live in a highly urbanized community, and through this connection to the natural world we aim to spark a love of the natural environment and promote a stronger sense of wellbeing in children.” 

The project is also supported by Bringing Back the Butterflies group, a Kaurna elder and Aboriginal Education Community and Education Officer.

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Kenmore South Sculptures

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This semester, Year 6 students at Kenmore South State School studied a range of current global issues. They used a range of recycled materials to create sculptures depicting a number of environmental or social issue. QLD State Coordinator, Peta Wilson was invited to a classroom gallery and was deeply moved by the issues portrayed in the young students work. Root & Shoots Australia congratulates these students on their detailed work that brings awareness to these issues so that we continue to work towards changing our behaviour for a sustainable and healthy planet.
Below, are some examples of the students sculptures.

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John Curtin Recycling Project

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John Curtin College of the Arts have utilised bins from Green Batch, the students collected PET plastic bottles that are recycled into 3D printing filaments which are then used by the school for their 3D printers. A number of schools are currently involved in the project and are taking great care and regard for the environment in doing so.

The Green Batch school recycling program works in conjunction with schools in Western Australia to recycle plastic to reuse. 3D printers are utilised largely by schools in Western Australia and contribute to a significant amount of plastic waste.
Examples of PET plastics include:

  • Soft drink bottles.
  • Bakery product packaging.
  • Food jars.
  • Frozen food packaging.
  • Cosmetic packaging.
  • Household cleaning products.

How to identify PET plastic:
On PET or PETE plastics, there will be a recycling symbol, with the number 1 in the symbol. This is the easiest way to decide whether or not the plastic is PET or not.

If your Roots and Shoots team (in WA) would like to participate in the Green Batch Bin project, please contact Bill, the WA coordinator to learn more.

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JGIA acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands and pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present.

The generosity of people like you is what makes our work possible. The JGIA strives to improve the world around us for both humans and animals.