The A.P.E. Fund, dedicated to funding
impactful Roots & Shoots projects, is now accepting
applications in every province and territory for the very first
time
TORONTO, Sept. 10,
2024 /CNW/ - As families, students, and teachers mark
the start of another school year, the Jane Goodall Institute of
Canada (JGIC) is proud to
celebrate a significant milestone in its history. For the first
time since the A.P.E. Fund launched in Canada in 2017, the program is accepting
applications in every province and territory. Roots & Shoots
members from coast to coast can apply online today for up to
$1,000.00 to support the
implementation of their community projects. The deadline for
applications is Friday, October 4th,
at 12:00PM EDT. To learn more, please
visit janegoodall.ca.
More than 30 years ago, Dr. Jane
Goodall founded Roots & Shoots in Tanzania to inspire future conservation
leaders. The program launched in Canada in 1992, and now over 12,000 young
people are involved in projects nationwide, benefiting more than
80,000 community members. These initiatives help youth connect
animals, people, and the environment, highlighting the positive
impact on individuals and communities.
The A.P.E. Fund supports Roots & Shoots projects across the
country that address the convergence of biodiversity loss, climate
change, and environmental inequity. Last year alone, more than 115
projects from 93 schools received grants through this program.
These projects involved roughly 14,100 youth participants and had
indirect impacts on more than 40,000 youth and nearly 68,000
community members.
"One of the most exciting parts of the [project] were the
comments I overheard from some students," said Rochelle Tkach, educator, James Morden Public School, Ontario. "A student who struggled to
focus in science class most of the year was overheard saying 'this
is really fun' and 'I was a farmer for the day.' He never had
anything positive to say about Life Systems and the science
curriculum until we actually went outside and started planting
together. It is moments like these that I see the impact of
experiential learning."
2023-2024 A.P.E. Fund Projects:
- Creating New Soil and New Possibilities (Manitoba): A local school spearheaded a
composting initiative, which quickly gained traction within the
community. In total, the students collected over 600 kilograms of
food waste, which was transformed into nutrient-rich soil. An
additional 60 kilograms were distributed among community and
personal gardens, enriching the local environment.
- Native Plant and Pollinator Garden (British Columbia): Students learned about
garden maintenance and the importance of native plants through
hands-on work, while also gaining insights from Elders and
Knowledge Keepers on traditional practices. They explored medicinal
teas and seed sorting, connecting with the healing and culinary
properties of the plants.
- Our First Food Forest! (Nova
Scotia): With guidance from local experts and Mi'kmaq
Knowledge Keepers, students learned permaculture principles,
planted pollinator-friendly plants, and helped supply the school
with fresh food for free meals.
- The Retrofit Project (Ontario): To improve energy efficiency and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, students retrofitted 30 homes,
replacing insulation, installing efficient lightbulbs, and
insulating pipes. After each retrofit, they managed the proper
disposal of old materials.
- St. Bonaventure's Beehive
(Newfoundland and Labrador): Students harvested honey and
shared it with the school and community, while a student-led
committee introduced beekeeping basics. The beehive became a key
part of the school's outdoor learning and science curriculum.
For more information on Roots & Shoots and previous projects
supported by the A.P.E. Fund, please visit
janegoodall.ca/what-we-do/canada-programs.
The A.P.E. Fund is made possible by our generous partners and
supporters. To ensure the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada can continue to support youth-led
projects and operate programs that benefit animals, people, and the
environment, Canadians are invited to donate online at
janegoodall.ca.
About Dr. Jane
Goodall:
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of
the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and UN Messenger of Peace, is a
world-renowned ethologist and activist inspiring greater
understanding and action on behalf of the natural world. Known for
her groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream
National Park, Tanzania, Dr.
Goodall has forever changed our understanding of our relationship
with the animal kingdom. Her work extends beyond scientific
innovations, encompassing a lifetime of advocacy through her
international organization, the Jane Goodall Institute, which
advances community-led conservation, animal welfare, science, and
youth empowerment through its Roots & Shoots program. Jane is a
global icon, spreading hope and turning it into a meaningful
positive impact, creating a better world for people, other animals,
and the planet we share.
About the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada:
Inspired by our founder, the Jane Goodall Institute of
Canada is creating a more just and
sustainable world through community-centred conservation work that
empowers people, protects wildlife, and heals our shared
environments in Canada and
Africa. With over 60 years of
fieldwork and success stories in our history, we strive to inspire
hope and encourage everyone to embrace their power to make a
difference.
SOURCE The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada