COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AT SUN FESTIVAL SOUTHWEST

At this annual, regional event celebrating environmental sustainability, our members, together with members of World Peace Roots & Shoots, planned and hosted crafts and activities in the SunKids Play Village tent. Roots & Shoots parents also helped out as needed with other volunteer needs for the festival, including technical assistance and rescue vehicle for an early morning bike tour of local solar powered and hydrogen powered houses. Approximately 250 children enjoyed our activities and

other presentations in the Play Village. Shanti, our giant peace dove, was displayed outside the tent, and visible to the approximately 5,000 attendees at the event. We spoke with families about our local R&S groups, starting their own R&S groups, Jane Goodall’s Giant Peace Dove Campaign, caring for orphan chimpanzees, and replicating the canvas bag project described below. R&S members also were instrumental in securing exhibit space for JGI’s Chimpanzoo up from Tucson and in arranging for a video message from Dr. Goodall that was aired at the festival. Our six activity tables in the SunKids Play Village included:
1. Canvas bag decorating
Children painted canvas bags silkscreened on one side with “everyday ways to care for the earth” as well as the R&S logo and sponsor logo (1Answer Solutions).
Educational display comparing plastic and paper bags, and encouraging children and adults to use canvas bags instead.
2. Seed planting
Children planted pea seeds in paper pots which could be planted in the ground at home, as the paper would decompose and become compost for the plant.
3. Mandala making
Children created their own peace mandalas with the option of hanging them on a peace pole at the nearby Permaculture exhibit.
4. Postcards to the Direct Marketing Association
Children and parents registered their households for the Mail Preference Association to reduce the amount of junk mail they receive.
Educational display about reducing junk mail and other uses of trees (e.g. shade, animal homes, play, oxygen).
5. Save the Leatherback Turtles Campaign
Continuously running DVD from the campaign.
Children completed letters and colored pictures to send to the UN asking for a moratorium on fishing practices that are hazardous to leatherbacks and other sea creatures.
6. Information table about Roots & Shoots
R&S brochures for local groups and global program.
Educational display with photographs of R&S activities, JGI chimpanzee sanctuaries, and giant peace doves around the world.
Greeting cards for orphan chimpanzee fundraiser.
Laminated instructions for building a giant peace dove.