“Being connected to nature from a young age has inspired me to work professionally in environmental education, to inspire other young people to care for our natural environment, and to increase their own understanding of conservation and environmental science.

Building the capacity and inclusion of young people into key environmental decision making is a big key for a better future. When young people are included in the key decisions that affect their own future, they are more likely to have ownership over these decisions and may be less likely to feel anxious about the state of our environment.

Another key strategy is to involve youth and children in starting their own environmental projects at home or at school. This could involve a project such as starting a kitchen garden program, working with local environment groups to start a planting event or involving your youth in. Investing in youth through these measures can really help with building a better future for Australia’s environment.

Involvement in grassroots initiatives is a great way to start, especially with designed programs to support young people to make a difference. Building a network of like-minded, passionate young people around you can really assist you in forming a community of change makers, but also drive your motivation and your passions further.”

“Young people today couldn’t be more connected and yet more isolated. Groups like Roots & Shoots provide an opportunity for young people to connect in real time via projects that are important to them. Roots & Shoots encourages community, leadership, ownership, drive and kindness to all.

Dr Jane’s message encourages the continuation of this kindness through into young adulthood and beyond. It is important that we can deliver this message from a young age, harness the existing positivity and kindness, and carry it through with the hope that Dr Jane’s message provides, particularly as we look to an ever increasingly uncertain future.

It is about delivering empathetic education through an environmental lens. It doesn’t necessarily require whole projects or terms devoted to environmental causes, instead it’s about creating and cementing green habits and ways of thinking through little actions in the classroom.

As a vet, I would love to see some empathetic education around animals through school. Kids have a natural affinity to and empathy for animals, which they seem to lose overtime. Kindness to animals is known to translate to kindness to people, and that is certainly something we need more of.

I think that when young people have a project that they call their own, that they are encouraged and supported to see through to completion, and then allowed to celebrate their successes, this gives an unparalleled sense of achievement and a can-do attitude which can set them up for life.”

“Kid’s don’t want to wait to create the changes we need. We want to get to work now! Dr. Jane’s Roots & Shoots program starts our Conservation journey which benefits the long term health of our planet.

I would like to see kids in schools across Australia do what I do Observe, Learn, Protect – their local environment. The best place to learn to live in harmony with Nature is in our own backyards. Schools are perfect places for Kid’s to observe who lives in their school grounds and then learn about these species.

The Roots & Shoots program weaves together young people from Australia and throughout the world, helping us to create positive change in our communities which adds up on a global scale. It is so inspiring knowing that there are kids all around the world on their own conservation journey making a difference in their own backyard. Dr. Jane has given us all a voice and support to take action for our future.

When we connect to nature through observing and learning, we automatically want to protect what we now know and understand. The more we understand nature the more we want to protect it. We start to see ways we can lessen our impact on nature and how we can restore balance.

Everyone feels more connected to nature and each other because we are working together to protect what we love.”

“The world is facing unprecedented environmental challenges, and young people are feeling the weight of this crisis. Eco-anxiety, the chronic fear of environmental doom, is becoming an increasingly common experience for today’s youth.

They are growing up in a world where climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are daily realities. This anxiety can be paralyzing, leaving many students feeling helpless and overwhelmed.

But what if we could transform this anxiety into action? What if we could equip students with the knowledge, skills, and resources to not only understand the issues but to actively participate in creating solutions?

This is the mission of ReWild Your School, an innovative environmental education program designed to foster hope and empower young people to make a tangible difference in their communities.

Together we can, together we will, change the world!”