Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Newsletter Winter 2020

Posted on December 13th, 2020.

Dear Members,

As we come to the end of an extremely challenging and disruptive year I am reminded of a quote from a wise colleague of mine many years ago…

”It’s easy to Captain a ship when the sea is calm”….or, in other words, “A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

Well, this year I am sure that I speak for everyone of us when I say that we have had to Captain our ‘metaphorical ships’ in extremely stormy and tempestuous weathers.

Lessons learnt.

Despite the horror of the magnitude of lives lost and our medical facilities struggling at full capacity to contain the outbreak, the Pandemic has also brought out some positive outcomes;

a cleaner planet, reduced air pollution through reduction in international and national travel, rare animal sightings and rehabituation, greater awareness and respect of zoonotic diseases and the destruction they can cause, more frequent global contact than ever before through advanced technology.

And there is good news! This month we formed a wonderful new partnership with the Emirates Literature Foundation in the UAE, giving the programme an exciting new spin through their Voices of Future Generations project, promoting environmental education through the great medium of literacy.

In addition, as well as the innovative and creative projects our R&S members are currently undertaking, our work with the Ministry of Education continues on an exciting path with teacher workshops coming soon – watch this space.

So, to my amazing and resilient members, remember, there IS every reason to remain hopeful and optimistic.

We will get through this, we will get through this together and we will see brighter times ahead once more.

Stay safe and well.