Resources for Health Roots & Shoots

JOIN US!

2011-10-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

If your family is looking for fun service-learning projects to care for the environment, animals, and people, you've come to the right place. A program of Resources for Health, our group is part of the global network of Roots & Shoots groups affiliated with the Jane Goodall Institute. We re-launched in the Hillsboro/Beaverton/Aloha area in 2010 after seven very active years in the Phoenix Metro Area. Check out the postings below to see our group's history! We meet regularly on the first Friday monthly for discussion, reflection, and celebration of the service-learning projects of the past month. Roots & Shoots members can keep track of their volunteer hours to qualify for the President's Volunteer Service Award, which will be presented at our annual volunteer recognition event. Members also can attend the Pacific Northwest Roots & Shoots Summit with Dr. Jane Goodall. The most recent summit occurred on October 7, 2011. Check out the photos on our Facebook page and like us, too. Interested in joining the fun? Please contact us!

2011-2012 ONGOING PROJECTS

2011-10-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

We've got our hands full this academic year with ongoing projects!

H2Origami - We're making wildlife origami with water protection messages to tell Governor Kitzhaber to stop Nestle from bottling the Columbia River Gorge. Learn more about this critical issue from Food and Water Watch.

SOLV Green Team - We're working with SOLV to restore Council Creek in Cornelius by removing invasive plants, planting natives, and monitoring wildlife in the area.

OFOSA - We're socializing puppies, walking dogs, rolling newspaper, and helping in any other way we are needed at Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals.

Evergreen Park Adoption - We do cleanup, invasive species removal, and planting projects as needed throughout the year with City of Hillsboro Parks & Rec staff.

Oregon Food Bank - We've volunteered in the past and will volunteer again to repack bulk food items for families in need.

Friends of Trees - Another favorite from the past, we'll help again this year with all the plantings scheduled in Beaverton.

More details and photos to follow!

H2ORIGAMI

2011-05-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today marked the beginning of an ongoing project to raise awareness about water issues and influence legislators to keep waterways safe and healthy for animals and people. We decided to focus the project on Nestle's attempt to build a bottling plant in the Columbia River Gorge. We are making origami of any wildlife that would live in or around the Gorge, like ducks, frogs, salmon, turtles, and anything else you can think of. We are writing water protection messages on the origami to give to Governor Kitzhaber when Food & Water Watch schedules a meeting with him and his Natural Resources Adviser in the Fall. Learn more at the Beaverton City Library on Thursday, June 30th, at 6pm or follow the links below:

Nestle in the Columbia River Gorge - http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/private-vs-public/usa/nestle-cascade-locks/

Action needed by June 30^th to help stop Nestlé's plans - http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7015

National and global water issues - http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/

--submitted by youth leader, Mikal

CHILLY WORK AT THE OREGON FOOD BANK

2011-05-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Today we completed our third project repacking bulk food at the Oregon Food Bank. During these projects we repack bulk foods from giant vats into two pound family sized bags. In January we packed pasta, in April we packed oats, and this time we packed frozen green beans. Needless to say, the room was chilly! But we were working so fast we hardly noticed the cold. Together with other volunteers we repacked 8,640 pounds of green beans for families in need. We look forward to volunteering at the Oregon Food Bank again in July!

CELEBRATION!

2011-04-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of celebration! In honor of Earth Day, volunteer appreciation, and our group's one year anniversary in Oregon, we planted flowers and cleaned up trash at our group's adopted park, Evergreen Park in Hillsboro. You can see how much our group has grown since our inaugural flower planting and park adoption event on April 30, 2010! The City of Hillsboro Parks and Recreation staff who provided tools, flowers, gloves, training, and supervision, were amazed at how quickly our group, including youth ages 2-16, got the job done. When the outdoor work-celebration was finished, we continued celebrating indoors at RFH Roots & Shoots headquarters with individual make-your-own pizzas, including vegan and gluten-free options, donated by Whole Foods Tanasbourne. We look forward to our next year of service-learning projects!

BULK REPACK AT THE OREGON FOOD BANK

2011-04-14T05:16:00.000-07:00

Together with other community volunteers, our team packed 7,880 pounds of bulk oats into 2 pound family size bags. According to the Oregon Food Bank, this amount is a new all time record! The total amount represented 12,123 individual meals, meaning that each of us packed 296 meals for neighbors who aren't sure where their next meal will come from. Many small tasks came together to achieve this success. Our multi-age group cooperated in roles as scoopers, baggers, weighers, twist tiers, boxers, and pallet movers. In Oregon and Clark County, Washington, an estimated 240,000 people eat from an emergency food box in an average month. We look forward to volunteering at the Oregon Food Bank again in May and July!

TREES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION

2011-02-05T15:07:00.000-08:00

RFH Roots & Shoots members joined other community volunteers to plant 800 trees, plants, and shrubs near Shiffler Park, restoring the riparian area along a tributary to Beaverton Creek. The planting was part of the "Tree for All" event co-sponsored by the City of Beaverton and Clean Water Services. The ambitious goal of Tree for All is to plant two million trees in the Tualatin River Valley in 20 years. Streams lined with native vegetation provide cleaner, cooler water, better flood management, and fish and wildlife habitat. It's good for the water and fish, and it's good for people and our community too!

ORIGAMI CRANES TO MAKE A CHILD SMILE

2011-02-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

The ancient Japanese legend of a thousand paper cranes is that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures, and is said to live for a thousand years. In Japan, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person's wish come true.

Today three Roots & Shoots families gathered to make origami paper cranes for a sick child. Makeachildsmile.org has pictures and biographies of children battling chronic illnesses on their website so you can pick one and help make that child smile with cards and gifts. We will be making one thousand origami paper cranes for Heather Riley who has Symptomatic Generalized Epilepsy, the umbrella that Lennnox Gastaut Syndrome Falls under. It doesn't matter what you call it it has a bad prognosis. We hope our package will brighten her day! -- submitted by youth leader, Xarra

VOLUNTEERING AT THE OREGON FOOD BANK

2011-01-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

RFH Roots & Shoots' trip to the Oregon Food Bank proved to be very productive. Together with other community volunteers, 20 of our members worked hard to re-pack 4,900 pounds of bulk pasta into two pound bags. There were several roles to fill, and our group took on all of them: unloaders, scoopers, baggers, twist tiers, boxers, and pallet movers. The Oregon Food Bank estimates that we packed enough food to provide 7,538 meals for people in need. Each individual member of our group packed an average of 179 meals. Despite the sheer amount of pasta moved, the task did not seem challenging in the least.

In Oregon and Clark County Washington, an estimated 240,000 people eat from an emergency food box in an average month. Volunteering at the Oregon Food Bank helps our many neighbors who aren't sure where their next meal will come from.

MORE TREES WITH FRIENDS OF TREES

2011-01-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Despite the freezing cold weather, 15 RFH Roots & Shoots volunteers showed up to help plant 40 trees that Friends of Trees had waiting for us in a Beaverton neighborhood. It snowed on us for a couple of minutes during the planting, but we were fortunate that the weather stayed dry the rest of the time. This time the trees had been transported to the site in burlap bags around the roots. The holes had been pre-dug by the City of Beaverton. There was another Friends of Trees planting going on at the same time as the planting we volunteered at. At the tree planting across town, Friends of Trees was celebrating the planting of their 400,000th tree. When we planted the trees, we helped to make a cleaner environment and improve the quality of life for people in the neighborhood. Altogether, our group members volunteered 37.5 hours to complete the tree planting, and we finished 90 minutes ahead of the expected schedule! --submitted by R&S Youth Leader, Jacob

SPREADING SMILES WITH COLOR

2010-12-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

Twelve kids and six adults gathered at a member's home to color pictures for Color A Smile, a non-profit organization that collects drawings to give to nursing homes, Meals on Wheels programs, and anyone else in need of a smile. Using crayons, markers, and colored pencils, we created 85 colorful pictures. Some were “color in” pages, and some were free art. Everyone had a great time coloring together for such a good cause. --submitted by R&S Youth Leader, Edison

MORE TREES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

2010-12-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

Today, fifteen members of our group worked with Friends of Trees and other volunteers to plant over 40 European Hornbeams in a Beaverton neighborhood. After a short lesson in tree planting, we split into small groups and went to plant trees. The holes were already dug, but we found the top root, measured and adjusted the hole depth, loosened the tree roots, and plunked the trees in. The potted trees were heavy! After refilling the hole, cleaning up, staking, and tagging, it was on to the next tree. Although our planting time was rain-free, it had rained earlier. One hole was even full to the top with water! The trees we planted will help to stop muddy water from polluting Fanno Creek and will help keep the air clean. --submitted by R&S Youth Leader, Maya

BLACKBERRY BE GONE

2010-12-04T20:12:00.000-08:00

Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a 222 acre wildlife preserve in the heart of Beaverton, features evergreen deciduous forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds, and meadows, and is the habitat for a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and other creatures. It also is host to invasive species that threaten the native flora. Today our group worked to eradicate the Himalayan Blackberry in one small area of the park, part of a larger ongoing effort throughout the year. We worked in pairs with one partner clipping vines while the other partner dug out the root of the plants. Afterward, we warmed up and enjoyed the exhibits at the Nature Park Interpretive Center.

WEEDING THE FOREST

2010-11-27T19:57:00.000-08:00

A handful of our group members celebrated the Thanksgiving weekend by participating in "Stewardship Saturday at Tryon Creek." In contrast to our earlier Tryon Creek planting events on October 30th and November 6th, this event occurred at Tryon Creek State Park. We could hardly believe that our luck held out for yet another rain-free day for an outdoor project! The sun even peeked out, further revealing the beauty of the forest. Unfortunately, amid all the beauty is a villain that is strangling life from the trees and crowding out native plants. That villain is invasive English Ivy. Our volunteer leader from Friends of Tryon Creek told us and other volunteers that they have been fighting the ivy for 15 years, section by section of the 670 acre forest. Pictured at left is just one of the several piles of ivy that volunteers pulled, standing over four feet tall. After helping pull ivy, we enjoyed hiking and exploring other trails in the park and looking at the exhibits in the visitor center.

EVERGREEN PARK STEWARDSHIP

2010-11-12T12:45:00.000-08:00

Evergreen Park is always green because it is full of non-deciduous trees, but not all of the green belongs in Evergreen Park. Things like English Ivy, Himalayan Blackberries, bottles, cans, and other trash don't belong in parks. So our group did an stewardship project at our adopted park. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "environmental stewardship is the responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment. As stewards of Evergreen Park, we pruned Himalayan Blackberries, pulled English Ivy, and picked up trash. Thank you to all who helped and to the Hillsboro Parks Department for supplying tools! --Submitted by R&S youth leader Mikal

RESTORING NATIVE PLANTS AT TRYON CREEK

2010-11-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

For the second Saturday in a row, we partnered with SOLV to plant native trees and shrubs at Tryon Creek. This project was located on private property, where a homeowner partnered with SOLV, Friends of Tryon Creek, and municipal agencies to make this project possible. We planted in a small area where the creek ran in the past and native plants previously grew. We used two different planting techniques to plant in two different types of land: uplands and wetlands. The area was hit by blight a few years ago and was overtaken by invasive plants. Hopefully our efforts will help restore the area to its earlier condition! Our group of 13 plus one non-R&S volunteer planted 110 trees and shrubs. A thank you message we received from SOLV read: "Your work will ensure that the air in the Portland Metro Area is clean, and that there will be urban habitat for fish, birds, and small mammals in the years to come. The plants you put in the ground will also work to filter polluted storm water and decrease erosion along urban waterways in the Portland area. The clean air and waterway your efforts will be appreciated by Oregonians who will be breathing and drinking it for years to come."

RESTORING NATIVE PLANTS AT TRYON CREEK

2010-10-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

Today ten RFH R&S members ages 8 to adult joined forces with other volunteers to work on a SOLV project planting 140 native trees and shrubs to restore the urban watershed at Tryon Creek. We learned the correct way to plant trees and shrubs and the importance of mulching around the plants to keep invasive species at bay. We had a great time, finished planting just before the rain started, and enjoyed the spiced apple cider and sweet treats provided by the church that was the location host for this SOLV event. We're looking forward to another Tryon Creek planting with SOLV next weekend! Over time, these plantings will improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, and store carbon to slow climate change.

HILLSBORO'S GREAT PUMPKIN HUNT

2010-10-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today we were pleased to be a part of Hillsboro Park & Recreation's fourth annual Great Pumpkin Hunt, a fun car quest in which 35 teams traveled around town finding and deciphering clues and conquering challenges on their hunt for the Great Pumpkin. We staffed the location at Evergreen Park, our adopted park, where teams stopped to play skeleton hangman to get the clue to their next destination. We enjoyed four hours together in the great outdoors meeting teams and spelling Ichabod Crane while contributing to our community.

MARK STORM DRAINS, SAVE OUR RIVER!

2010-10-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today we marked storm drains and hung informational door hangers in the Aloha neighborhood of a RFH Roots & Shoots family. Storm drains in Washington County do not connect to sewage or water treatment plants. Instead, they carry rainwater and pollutants directly to the nearest waterway. Pollutants include runoff from streets, roofs, and lawns, as well as hazardous waste that people negligently dump directly into the drains. This pollution kills fish, vegetation, and wildlife and ultimately degrades our drinking water supply. Clean Water Services in Hillsboro provided us with all the supplies for this project. In just a couple of hours, ten of us marked 20 storm drains and delivered informational door hangers to 100 homes. This was a fun and easy project that we hope will make a big difference for our environment, especially Butternut Creek, the waterway (pictured left) that runs through the neighborhood. At the very first drain we marked stood a gallon jug of oily looking liquid (pictured below). Hopefully the owner will now dispose of this waste properly! We definitely plan to repeat this project in other neighborhoods.

Here are some clean water tips from Clean Water Services:

Plant northwest natives and reduce your lawn
Use organic or slowrelease fertilizer
Wash your vehicle at a car wash or on your lawn
Use mulch to improve soil and help retain water
Pick up your pet waste (put it in the trash)
Leave your streambank natural (don’t mow to the edge)
Keep pets out of streams
Fix your car’s oil leaks or catch drips with a pan
Remove English ivy and Himalayan blackberry bushes
Volunteer with your local stream restoration group

WATERWAY CLEANUP AT FANNO CREEK

2010-09-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Today we participated in the SOLV annual Beach and Riverside Cleanup, joining more than 6,135 volunteers statewide in removing an estimated 142,231 pounds of trash and recyclable and 57,685 pounds of invasive plants for watershed restoration projects. Traveling by canoe along Fanno Creek, we pulled loads of bottles, a car stereo, a small skull trinket, a lightbulb and more out of the water. It was quite the adventure, and some of the kids invented a creative story to explain all the interesting findings. In many areas of the creek we had to use teamwork to maneuver the canoes over shallow areas and under low hanging branches. We definitely learned the value of cooperation! It was a great day to appreciate nature and the great outdoors as well as get some exercise while protecting our environment. We know that our impact went beyond our local community, since litter often travels along local waterways out to the ocean where it becomes part of the swirling vortex of trash known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. You can learn more about this environmental crisis on Mother Nature Network, a great website where you can learn a lot more about the environment and even watch old episodes of Captain Planet.

EVERGREEN PARK BARKDUST PROJECT

2010-08-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

We braved the heat on this very warm summer day to team up with Hillsboro Parks staff to spruce up our adopted park. First we weeded out dead plants and debris from the raised beds. Then we raked barkdust around the remaining plants in the beds and around trees in the park. Barkdust is made from the bark of trees used in the logging industry. It works as a mulch to suppress weeds as well as to conserve water as it is effective at absorbing water and preventing water loss due to evaporation. It also made the park look great! We're proud to play a role in making our community more beautiful and were happy to see that the flowers we planted in early spring are still thriving.

ROCK CREEK CLEANUP PART 2

2010-08-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Today we continued our cleanup of Rock Creek and Rock Creek Trail. Eight of us worked together to collect approximately 12 pounds of trash and 6 pounds of recyclables from in and around the water. While we were pleased to find that some of the inner areas near the water were mostly undisturbed by human contact, we were saddened by the large amount of trash in areas closest to the roads. It seems that a lot of people throw litter or allow it to blow out of their cars! In addition to protecting watershed health and taking a stand against "nature deficit disorder" by having fun outdoors, we used teamwork and problem solving skills to reach some of the plastic that was floating in hard to reach areas. In spite of some soggy shoes, everyone had a great time, and all recovered from their blackberry bramble scratches.

OREGON ADOPT-A-RIVER AT ROCK CREEK

2010-07-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today we began our adoption of Rock Creek as part of Oregon Adopt-A-River, a partnership between SOLV and the Oregon State Marine Board. With only 0.018% of all the water on earth being usable fresh water, protection of our waterways is absolutely essential! We use water every day in almost everything we do, including drinking, growing food, producing power, and recreation. It's important to protect and clean our local waterways, as all water is connected through the water cycle.

Our small group was proud to leave no carbon footprint, traveling to and from our work site by bike. As we cleanup up the creek and its banks, we also harvested Himalayan blackberries and Oregon Grape. Although the blackberries are an invasive species which poses a threat to our environment, they make a delicious tart when combined with their native neighbors, Oregon Grape.

Benefits from this project included time spent enjoying nature, enhancement of our natural environment, improvement of watershed health, cardiovascular exercise, a lesson on invasive and native species, cooking exploration, and appreciation of healthy, local food.

SHOW SOME LOVE FOR EVERGREEN PARK

2010-06-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Today we did our second project for Evergreen Park since officially adopting the park on April 30th. Our focus was basic litter cleanup in the wooded and grassy areas. Some of the
interesting items found included a cloth diaper, a soccer ball, whole rotting melons, and other unmentionables that we would have to tell you about in person, as it would be of questionable taste to post here. We also weeded grass from the area around the park sign where we planted flowers, which look fantastic, by the way! The 15 of us got the job done quickly, leaving time to chat and play afterward. So you may be wondering what was the "learning" part of this "service-learning" project? Well, for starters, we learned that not everyone in the world follows the simple rule of cleaning up after yourself and putting trash where it belongs. A good follow up learning project will be researching how long it takes various items to biodegrade. We will be learning, reflecting, discussing, celebrating our accomplishments, and planning more projects at our next meeting on July 5th. If you are a family or teen in the Hillsboro/Beaverton/Aloha area and we've piqued your interest, contact us for more details!

STOPPING THE INVASION AGAIN!

2010-06-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

With 23 volunteers ages 2 to adult, we went to work to remove invasive Nipplewort for a second time at Hyland Forest Park in Beaverton. This time the Nipplewort was flowering! We had to put the flowering plant in garbage bags because Nipplewort can pollinate itself if the flowering plant is left on the ground. There was so much nipplewort that we didn't even see any Robert Geranium ("Stinky Bob"). We made even more progress removing the invasive herbs than last time on May 24, so much so that this time there were too many garbage bags to fit in the truck! The Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District had to come the next day to pick up the rest of the bags! We almost lost a group member in the pile of bags. I'm sure our group will return again to remove invasive and eventually plant native species in their place.
--by Jacob, youth leader

MONKEYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

2010-06-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

Monkeys were here, there, and everywhere at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU in Beaverton, where RFH Roots & Shoots learned about the 4300 monkeys that are bred and used for biomedical research there. We were led on a tour that described some of the research they do, such as trying to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, addiction research, and stem cell research. (Learn more about all the types of research on their website.) Then we made enrichment toys for the monkeys by putting foods like fruit, veggies, peanut butter, and honey into gadgets. That's what we are doing in these photos. We were not allowed to take photos of the monkeys, but you can see some here. We watched the monkeys work to get the food out of the gadgets, which is their enrichment, because in the wild they would have to work to get their food. The monkeys played, ate, and REALLY liked popcorn and stealing food from each other. This was both an interesting and enlightening project. It was rewarding to contribute to the well-being of the monkeys, but much of the research at the center is controversial, like researching the effects of nicotine on pregnant monkeys. Our group will meet on July 5th to reflect and discuss this project and other projects we have done.
- by Sammi, youth leader

STOP THE INVASION!

2010-05-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

With support from Jo of the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, we went to work to remove invasive Nipplewort and Robert Geranium ("Stinky Bob") at Hyland Forest Park in Beaverton. These opportunistic herbs are secondary invasive species that took hold after invasive English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry were removed, a project the parks department has been working on for seven whole years! We learned that none of these species is inherently bad, just out of place. Oregon Grape, for example, is our state plant and not harmful to the environment here, but is invasive in Germany. Many invasive plants are also edible. Although we made substantial progress removing the invasive herbs and creating breathing room for the native plants that have been re-established in the park, there is more work to be done, and we will return for another project on June 14th. Amid our work, we also find time to enjoy the beauty of nature and learn about the plants and creatures of the forest.

EVERGREEN PARK ADOPTION

2010-04-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Arbor Day! The Evergreen Park adoption was the RFH Roots & Shoots Oregon kickoff event. Jordan from the City of Hillsboro Parks Department brought potting soil, flowers, and our new park adopter sign. We installed our sign, spread the soil, and planted flowers, helping to beautify the park. Our group will care for the park year round by cleaning up litter, mulching trails, removing invasive species, and planting more flowers and native plants. We love our park!

BEAR HUGS 2

2009-10-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

After the success of the 2008 Bear Hugs project benefiting the Phoenix Children's Hospital, youth leader Jacob decided to make Bear Hugs an annual event. For 2009's Bear Hugs 2, we collected gently used stuffed animals in addition to donations to make new teddy bear at Build A Bear Workshop. On October 26th, for Make A Difference Day, volunteers stuffed 40 new teddy bears to add to 68 gently used stuffed animals and delivered them to the Phoenix Crisis Nursery. The nursery provides services for children in need and their families, including short and long term overnight care and temporary daytime childcare. Staff gave us a tour of the facility and taught us about the creative ways they fulfill their mission of breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect. They do incredible and important work! If you have suggestions for a charity that 2010's Bear Hugs 3 project can benefit, Jacob would love to hear from you at bearhugs2@gmail.com.

CRAYFISH CAPTURE

2009-09-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

In September, Arizona Game and Fish Department led Roots & Shoots members and other homeschool students on a field trip to capture crayfish in the creeks of Tonto National Forest. Participants learned how to set traps with bait and capture the crayfish in nets to transfer into buckets. We also learned how to release any native fish that might unintentionally find their way into the nets. Following the trapping, we learned how to measure the crayfish and identify their gender, recording that information to be used by the Game and Fish Department for monitoring purposes. As if wading in the cool creeks and capturing crayfish wasn’t enough fun, we then got to sample boiled crayfish, cooked up with corn on the cob and potatoes by Game and Fish staff. Roots & Shoots members borrowed the crayfish trapping kits for a second field trip to capture crayfish later in the season. Although we picnicked in the forest, we did not eat crayfish on this second trip, but instead donated them to the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center to be fed to rescued animals in their care. Overall, our group members removed approximately 2,000 crayfish from the creeks during the two field trips that will be repeated annually.

GARDEN PLOTS AT SCOTTSDALE COMMUNITY GARDEN

2009-08-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

In August 2008, our group started a second garden to accommodate Roots & Shoots members residing a long distance from the garden at Superstition Farm. The group’s plots are located within the Scottsdale Community Garden on the campus of Scottsdale Community College. Youth are working toward Junior Master Gardener Certification while planting, maintaining, and harvesting the garden. In the last year and a half, members have successfully grown squash, pumpkins, eggplant, corn, peas, okra, grapes, apple trees, peanuts, sunflowers, Swiss chard, lettuces, arugula, beans, carrots, loofahs, basil and other herbs. Some items were not as successful as others. Like the Supertition Farm garden, we started with a barren patch of dirt, and lovingly cultivated our soil to yield a boutiful harvest. We acquired a scale to measure our harvest and have averaged sixty pounds of produce per month. Surplus harvest is donated to the hungry through Waste Not. We also practice seed saving. Group members interact with, learn from, and assist fellow community gardeners in neighboring plots, many of whom are elderly and have been Scottsdale Community Garden members since the garden’s start in 1976.

PLANTING FOR PEACE

2009-04-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Global Youth Service days, our Roots & Shoots group participated as part of over 100 volunteers from other local Roots & Shoots groups, girl scout troops, and Arizona Homegrown Solutions volunteers to plant 110 native mesquite trees in the barren Nuestro Barrio neighborhood. Working from their knowledge, skills, and experience base of previous re-vegetation efforts in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and at Papago Park, group members appreciated the added benefit that these trees would provide in the form of edible outputs, in addition to shade, for these low income residents in a struggling neighborhood that recently lost its only grocery store within a three mile radius. We also planted trees in the community garden at the Wesley Center in the neighborhood and helped weed the garden. Check out this fun video of Planting for Peace on YouTube!

WATER CONSERVATION FOR KIDS

2009-04-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

Resources for Health received a grant from the Coca Cola Foundation administered through the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension to install a rainwater harvesting cistern at Horses Help, a partner nonprofit organization that offers therapeutic horseback riding to special needs children and adults. Roots & Shoots members will be monitoring and measuring the amount of rainwater collected. Having studied the ways in which rainwater can be collected as well as the ways in which people can conserve water in their own homes, the teen members of the group will be teaching Water Conservation for Kids workshops to younger children at the Horses Help site and possibly other locations. The collected rainwater will be used both to water therapeutic gardens on the property and to process horse manure into compost.

CNUW PROP YARD PROJECT

2009-02-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

In February, we took an interactive tour the Center for Native and Urban Wildlife (CNUW) at Scottsdale Community College to learn the value of natural desert habitats, native biodiversity, and their importance to humankind. In addition to their on-campus programming for elementary school students, CNUW also formerly grew native trees in their propagation yard for re-vegetation efforts in the McDowell Sonoran Preserves. Recent changes in the program’s focus have left the half acre propagation yard fallow. Our Roots & Shoots group asked permission to “play in the yard,” and with a grant from Wild Ones Seeds for Education we are re-vegetating the area with native plants, shrubs, and trees. So far, we have successfully planted prickly pear cacti and unsuccessfully transplanted native mesquite saplings form the neighboring community garden. Future plans include planting of xeriscape plants to demonstrate low water usage desert landscaping, planting of wild food plants to demonstrate the amount of food available from public places and backyards, planting seeds from Native Seeds / SEARCH to teach about protecting agro-biodiversity, and propagation of native trees for distribution to low income community gardens, households, and schools. CNUW also allows us to do a composting project in the prop yard. SCC Culinary Department student volunteers bring kitchen scraps to compost bins built out of reclaimed pallets. We add reclaimed tree trimmings to create layers of carbons in the compost pile.

NATIVE DEMONSTATION GARDEN AT NMVC

2009-01-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

Resources for Health Roots & Shoots and the Green Team 4H group became the first groups to volunteer through the City of Phoenix Park Stewards program. When we first started volunteering at North Mountain Preserve, we expected to be patrolling hiking trails and picking up trash. We were pleasantly surprised when park rangers presented us with the opportunity to maintain yet another garden. This small plot, located behind the North Mountain Visitor Center, had fallen fallow after city budget cuts reduced the number of park ranger work hours. This garden is focused specifically on teaching park visitors how and what ancient native peoples traditionally farmed and ate. All seeds planted are obtained from Native Seeds / SEARCH, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of ancient crops of the American Southwest and northwest M exicoby gathering, safeguarding, and distributing their seeds to farming and gardening communities. Hard packed caliche, a layer of soil in which the soil particles have been cemented together by lime (calcium carbonate) has posed the greatest challenge to this garden so far. We were successful, however, in planting two native mesquite trees to shade the garden. During the second planting season efforts were undertaken to build up the soil before planting. A local girl scout troupe is partnering with us also this season.

BUFFEL SNUFF WITH THE PHOENIX WEEDWACKERS

2009-01-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

We team up with the Phoenix Weedwackers on the second Saturday each month to wield pickaxes and remove this invasive species from the Phoenix Mountain Preserves. Buffelgrass, originally introduced for livestock forage and soil erosion control, has spread widely, transforming previously fire resistant desert areas into flammable grasslands. Buffelgrass also crowds out native plant species, especially the saguaro, and negatively impacts the habitats of native wildlife species, especially the mule deer and the desert tortoise. The removed grasses are secured in large plastic garbage bags and disposed of in the landfill so that seeds do not travel to other locations after the plants have been removed.

PASSING THE RAINBOW

2009-01-24T16:37:00.000-08:00

When our members observed that unusable broken crayons pieces were a waste product from decorating reusable shopping bags through Pollution Solutions, they considered ways to divert these crayon pieces from the waste stream. They found the Crayons Project, a program of AFRICA Seed. They melt the crayon pieces together in repurposed cafeteria milk cartons using solar cookers. When the melted crayon mixture cools, new crayons have been formed, which the group then ships in repurposed shoe boxes to schoolchildren in Africa. In 2009, group members brought this activity to the Local to Global Justice Teach-In at Arizona State University and Earth Day events at Phoenix Country Day School and the Arizona National Guard. Our youth taught students at these events about the principles of solar cooking and how items can be diverted from the waste stream with a little thought and creativity. Students were involved prior to the events in the collection of broken crayon pieces and used cafeteria milk cartons. We also included a letter with each box of crayons sent to African schoolchildren explaining how we created these new crayons out of old crayons.

NATIVE AND URBAN FOOD GLEANING

2009-01-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

For years now, our group has been involved with annual citrus gleaning projects between the months of January and May, when there is a surplus of citrus on many Phoenix Metro Area residents' trees. In the past, we have volunteered with United Food Bank and the Phoenix Permaculture Guild. Currently, we are volunteering with the "Glean Team" from Arizona Homegrown Solutions to pick and deliver citrus to homeless youth through the Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development as well as to others in need through the Salvation Army and various food banks. This service-learning activity benefits the environment and the community in three ways: (1) elderly home owners who are not able to pick the fruit from their trees or clean up beneath them are helped; (2) roof rats are deterred, (3) thousands of pounds of citrus fruit are donated to soup kitchens and homeless shelters. During one very special gleaning event, we partnered with refugee children from the International Rescue Committee, making for a unique collaboration of youth from different cultures speaking different languages, working together to help improve the environment and the quality of life for other people.

In addition to citrus gleaning, we are gleaning native foods too! Mesquite pods, which are ripe and ready for harvest during the hot summer, can be ground into a healthy flour at the Southwest Desert Harvesters' annual mesquite milling in the fall. Fruit from prickly pear cacti, also known as "tunas," can be juiced and made into delicious smoothies, jams, syrups, and more. Our youth leaders additionally have been involved in teaching prickly pear fruit gleanings and cooking classes!

BEAR HUGS

2008-11-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

In June, Resources for Health Roots & Shoots youth leader Jacob started a project called Bear Hugs. His goal: to raise enough funds to make and donate 100 asthma friendly teddy bears from Build A Bear along with 1,000 origami cranes to the Phoenix Children's Hospital . A $400 mini-grant from the Roots & Shoots Four Corners regional office got him started. Next he raised funds while teaching people how to make origami cranes at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market and at the Thomas D. Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery. Jacob's homeschool group had a multi-family yard sale to raise over $800 for the Bear Hugs project! Other grants Jacob applied for and received to make Bear Hugs a reality were the Plum Grant from Do Something and a Disney Minnie Grant from Youth Service America. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America provided a gift of an additional 100 asthma friendly bears to the Phoenix Children's Hospital as well as 25 bear to the National Children's Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Whenever Jacob found an opportunity to enhance Bear Hugs, he seized it. When he learned about the Pay It Forward Foundation, he created a Pay It Forward Bear Story and applied for the grant. He received funding to pay for printing of the stories to attach to each of the teddy bears volunteers made. Volunteers wrote their names into the stories, adding a personal touch to the gift and promoting the idea of paying forward good deeds to others. Sixty youth volunteers helped fold origami cranes and to stuff 200 bears at Build A Bear on two dates in October, resulting in a grand total of 325 asthma friendly teddy bears and 1,000 origami cranes to cheer up hospitalized children. And Jacob says he's going to do it all again next year!

2007-2008 ONGOING PROJECT

2008-01-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

R&S GARDEN AT SUPERSTITION FARM

Part of Superstition Farm’s larger Desert Open Space project, the R&S organic “keyhole” garden provides families an opportunity to learn about planting, maintaining, and harvesting a garden. A portion of our harvest will be donated to a local soup kitchen or shelter.

In August 2007, we dug a nine inch trench around the perimeter of the garden and began laying cement block to help keep burrowing bunnies out of our garden.

On September, we raised the dirt paths leading to the keyholes, edged them with rock, and began planting! This first planting included tomatoes and peppers in the salsa keyhole, carrots, scarlet runner beans, and onions.

By the end of September, we could already see some results of our hard work! Runner beans had sprouted (pictured right) along with some onions and carrots. We celebrated Roots & Shoots International Day of Peace by parading Shanti, our giant peace dove puppet, around the garden. Roots & Shoots groups all over the world flew their giant peace doves at the same time.

At Friday on the Farm , we had a booth near the garden where we showed visitors a picture story, "See How Our Garden Grows," showing how a patch of dirt was transformed into an organic keyhole vegetable garden. Next to us, Four Directions Permaculture and the Phoenix Permaculture Guild provided resources such as planting guides, composting tips, and rainwater harvesting information.

By November, the tomatoes and I'itoi onions were doing well, and the carrots were growing, but the lettuces had provided a feast for the local rabbits. We still needed to install our gates!

In December we met to construct a toddler play area adjacent to the garden where little ones can be contained and entertained safely while older siblings do more of the hands on service-learning.
By Spring 2008, the garden was thriving. Families continue to meet to plant, care for, and harvest the garden.

We welcome families and children from outside our group to join us in this adventure! Email for more info.

2007-2008 ONGOING PROJECT

2008-01-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

POLLUTION SOLUTIONS
2008 Environmental Excellence Award Winner

What began as a simple Earth Day activity in 2005 has blossomed into a sustainable award-winning project. Our public outreach continues at expos, festivals, farmers’ markets, and library and afterschool programs. At these events we describe the lifecycle of paper and plastic bags in "A Story About Shopping Bags," leading listeners to the conclusion to "choose to reuse!" We provide 100% cotton reusable shopping bags for the young and young at heart to decorate and make their own.

We also play the "Lunch Box Game," where children choose from a variety of options to assemble a waste-free lunch. Often these activities lead to discussion about other earth friendly projects, like gardening and composting. There are so many simple pollution solutions right at our fingertips!

Looking for us? Please visit the Pollution Solutions blog to check out our list of upcoming events at the Downtown Phoenix Farmers' Market and during children's summer programming at the Phoenix Public Libaries.

Also on the Pollution Solutions blog:

* Make your bag design permanent

* Links and resources

* More photos

Anyone can make a difference, without radical lifestyle change, without a huge investment, just by carrying your own reusable shopping bag!

YOU CAN HELP US RID ARIZONA OF DISPOSABLE SHOPPING BAGS IN 3 WAYS:
* PURCHASE REUSABLE COTTON SHOPPING BAGS FOR $3 EACH
* HOST A PRESENTATION AT YOUR SCHOOL OR YOUTH GROUP
* BECOME A 2008 POLLUTION SOLUTIONS BAG SPONSOR
EMAIL US TO LEARN HOW!

UNDER THE BRIDGE

2007-12-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

In cooperation with Breaking Up Walls and a number of other non-profit and for-profit organizations, we gathered donations from August through December and assembled care packages for homeless teens and tweens who live under a bridge in a barrio in South Phoenix. The care packages were assembled within pillowcases artfully decorated by our children. In addition to toiletries, snacks, clothes, and comfort items, the care packages included sleeping mats sewn from donated jeans. A few very talented moms and a grandma in our group sewed some and the children decorated them with paint handprints. From gift cards donated from local stores, a bake sale fundraiser at AZ on the Rocks (where Scottsdale's Mayor Manross stopped by), and generous donations in honor of Liam's second birthday, we raised almost $500 - enough to complete 25 care packages! On December 4th, our group went on a "Scavenger Hunt Shopping Spree" to buy the items for the care packages. What a surprise it was for the cashier to ring up three overflowing carts worth over $400 dollars! Luckily, we had 13 R&S youth members to help pack up the purchases in IKEA reusable blue bags from an IKEA grant. Over several days we helped assemble the care package items we and others had collected. In all, Breaking Up Walls assembled 329 pillowcase care packages for homeless youth - what an accomplishment! We look forward to collaborating with Breaking Up Walls on future projects to care for the homeless. To see more photos of the Under the Bridge project, click here.)

PINATAS, PUZZLES, AND PERFUME…IT'S ALL ABOUT ENRICHMENT!

2007-11-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

At Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation, we learned about the importance of enrichment toys for rescued wildlife. Youth leader Sammi describes: “We made a bear piñata for the bear with honey, peanut butter and jam. We also sprayed squares of carpet with perfume for the bobcats to smell. It was so much fun for everyone and we learned a lot about the animals.” Check out the website for more information about wildlife classes and activities.

GLOBAL WARMING PRESENTATION

2007-11-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

Lydia Reznik, a local Roots & Shoots group leader and science and biology teacher, gave us a presentation about Global Warming at the New Vision Center for Spiritual Growth. Ms. Reznik is a volunteer with The Climate Project trained by former Vice President Al Gore. Her customized global warming slide presentation included information specific to Arizona and the Southwest as well as more basic science (taking out politics) for students. There were also numerous informative slides on how everyone can take a step to help curb CO2 emissions. After the presentation kids got to decorate their own reusable bags to take home.

GUERILLA GARDENING

2007-11-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

Ruby, our garden mentor at Superstition Farm, graciously invited us to her home to learn about her permaculture gardening projects and to make “seedballs.” At its most basic, the purpose of a seedball is to plant seeds out while protecting them from birds and bugs. By incorporating many varieties of seeds, it is also a method to re-vegetate the land. Using the seedball method, you take a risk that not everything will grow, but trust that something will. There may be several varieties of seeds in any particular seedball, but whatever plant is best suited to the location where the seedball ends up is the plant that will grow. Through careful observation, one can then learn about what plants are best matched with what conditions. Seedballs also can be a method of “guerilla gardening” where they are thrown into empty city lots. That sounded like fun to all of us, but for now our seedballs will be used at our own homes and our garden at Superstition Farm.

Ruby’s seedball recipe:
1 measure of seeds (we used 200 different varieties)

1 to 3 measures compost or potting soil

5 to 7 measures of clay

Use the same measuring container for all the ingredients. It doesn’t matter what that measure is. Add enough water while mixing gently for the ingredients to stick together but not (much) to clean dry fingertips. Add a little more clay or water as needed. If you've made pie crust or workable cookie dough it's kind of like that. Pinch off a small blob, usually pea sized, and roll into a ball. Continue until the mix is used up. Set the seedballs in a dry shady place to dry. Once dry (couple days depending) they can be held for about one month. If they get older plant them anyway. Some seeds are really tough. Set each seedball uncovered in a small depression and either wait for rain or irrigation or soak with a hose (gently). Sprinkle daily for a few days then every other then every two days until your watering at the rate appropriate for the place and season. Some mulch between the seedballs may lessen water use.

Thank you, Ruby!!!

10TH ANNUAL GREEN BUILDING EXPO

2007-10-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

This year, our second time hosting a table at the annual Green Building Expo in Scottsdale, we were accompanied by members of Liberty Wildlife Roots & Shoots. This outstanding event is as much about living green as it is about building green. At our table, we shared information about Roots & Shoots and offered activities for children including an EcoQuiz Scavenger Hunt, the Lunch Box Game, seed planting in biodegradable paper pots, face painting, building with Magic Nuudles, and solar baked cookies. This year’s expo included a first annual solar cookoff, and our own youth leader Sammi took second place for her dish of stuffed mushrooms and couscous. Way to go, Sammi!

GET PICKIN' THOSE MESQUITE BEANS!

2007-07-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

We met for some summer fun and met at a splash park surrounded by mesquite trees. It was already a little late in the season, but we gathered some mesquite beans from the trees for the annual mesquite bean milling hosted by the Phoenix Permaculture Guild in November at the Ahwatukee Farmers’ Market. It also was a perfect day for us to solar bake some nachos for a snack. Check out the SPORT model solar cooker here. If you decide to order one, be sure to use our ID # 2371 for a portion of the proceeds to benefit our group!

FUN AT THE PHOENIX ZOO

2007-05-31T16:21:00.000-07:00

On this day we met at the Phoenix Zoo to enjoy the animals and the outdoor play spaces. Colette Eckard from Breaking Up Walls met us there to talk about the issue of homelessness and the needs of homeless youth. "Under the Bridge" will be an ongoing project for our R&S group through December. We’ll be gathering items for care packages for homeless youth who live under a bridge in downtown Phoenix. The care packages will be assembled in December inside pillowcases that we will decorate as well.

PHOENIX HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY TOUR

2007-05-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

This tour of the Herp Society was a repeat of our 2/8/07 event for folks who weren’t able to make it the first time. We saw alligators, crocodiles, monitor lizards, bearded dragons, tortoises, turtles, gila monsters, and snakes, all of which had been rescued from Arizona residents who were not caring for them properly. We fed the tortoises and learned why it is important not to take exotic animals as pets and not to touch any reptiles in the wild. It was great fun and very interesting to see so many different kinds of reptiles in one place!

CELEBRATE ARBOR DAY ON THE FARM!

2007-04-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

On this day, we got a first look at the plot that will become our R&S garden, located within the larger Desert Open Space project at Superstition Farm. Amid festivities including a farmers’ market, garden workshops, hay rides, petting zoo, and a children’s theater performance, we hosted a booth to tell people about our project and to raise money for the garden by selling Jamba Juice. Some of our kids volunteered to help plant other parts of the Desert Open Space project. We look forward to more planting in the fall!

YOUTH IN SERVICE FOR PEACE ON EARTH DAYS

2007-04-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

At two separate events celebrating both Earth Day and Global Youth Service Days, we hosted “Pollution Solution” tables to give away reusable cotton shopping bags that kids could decorate. Whenever someone approached our table, we asked them to take an easy “quiz” that goes like this: When the cashier at the store asks you “paper or plastic?” what is the most environmentally friendly answer? Few people select the choice not offered: “Neither! Use a reusable bag.” Our displays include a comparison of plastic versus paper disposable bags, photos of what happens to plastic bags after use, and a map of the world identifying the many countries around the world that have taken action to reduce plastic bag consumption through bans, taxes, and other public program. Our project was made possible by a State Farm Good Neighbor Service Learning Grant through Youth Service America.

2006-2007 - ONGOING PROJECTS

2007-04-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

Reusable Bags: A Simple Pollution Solution

Inspired by the success of our canvas bag decorating activity during Earth Day 2005, founding member Sammi was inspired to apply for a State Farm Good Neighbor Service Learning Grant through Youth Service America in order to extend the idea into a sustainable project for the group. Not only was she awarded the grant, but the project also was selected for the regional project showcase at the National Service Learning Conference in Albuquerque in March 2007. Sammi and other group members created displays for a public awareness and education campaign about reusable versus disposable shopping bags. For starters, we distributed 250 reusable bags during Youth In Service for Peace on Earth Days events in April 2007, and will continue to distribute bags and educate people at farmers’ markets, libraries, parks, events, and more. The project has already received widespread publicity in Weekly Reader Magazine (April 20th issue), the East Valley Tribune, the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix, the East Valley Radio Network (4-18-07 podcast) and local ABC news.

Recycling at Crown Court Apartments, Scottsdale, AZ
One Roots & Shoots family started a recycling program for junk mail at their apartment complex. Since January 2005, they have been collecting approximately 150 pounds of junk mail per week to deliver to city recycling locations. That’s nearly 8,000 pounds of paper a year! They also speak with neighbors and post information for the community about city recycling locations and ways people can reduce their junk mail. In 2007, the family realized just how much influence their project has had, when members of the apartment maintenance staff joined the recycling effort by collecting phone books that had been delivered to unoccupied apartments.

BIRTHDAY RE-VEGETATION CELEBRATION

2007-03-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Founding group member Mikal decided to celebrate his eight birthday with a re-vegetation project at Papago Park. Mikal is so enthusiastic about re-vegetation projects, that he asked for a pickax for his birthday present, which came in very handy for this project! City of Phoenix Park rangers instructed Mikal and about 25 group members in the removal of invasive buffelgrass. Because competition for water can weaken and kill desert plants, buffelgrass crowds out these plants and also can fuel frequent and devastating fires in what has been otherwise a generally fireproof desert. It was hard work in hot temperatures, but when we were done, there were bags full of these invasive weeds, and native cacti in their places that the group planted. In Mikal’s words: “I picked the re-vegetation project for my birthday because I like to plant and dig. I’ve been to re-vegetation projects before at Papago Park, Lost Dog Wash Trail, and Pinnacle Peak Park, and I hope that I can do it again on my next birthday.” We wrapped up the celebration with pizza provided by Streets of New York and cake.

HENA 2007 CONFERENCE

2007-02-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

At an annual statewide home education conference held at Arizona State University, we requested extra recycling bins from the university and created signs that read “Please recycle cans and plastic bottles!” The children placed these signs strategically around the building, especially near all the regular trash cans in each classroom we were occupying. At the end of each day, they collected abandoned water bottles, emptied the water out, and recycled them. Some ASU students who were volunteering for the conference really liked the recycling signs and suggested that we leave them up past the end of the conference as a reminder to the college students! Our group, along with two other Arizona homeschool R&S groups, also provided information about Roots & Shoots at an informational table.

SNAKES, HIKING, AND TRAIL CLEANUP AT PHOENIX NORTH MOUNTAIN PRESERVE

2007-02-22T16:33:00.000-08:00

After a ranger presentation about sharing the trail with snakes of the Sonoran Desert, we hiked along a trail and cleaned up all the trash we could find. A fun activity for all ages at the Phoenix North Mountain Preserve!

PHOENIX HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY TOUR

2007-02-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

At our visit to the Phoenix Herpetological Society we saw alligators, crocodiles, monitor lizards, bearded dragons, tortoises, turtles, gila monsters, and snakes, all of which had been rescued from Arizona residents who were not caring for them properly. We fed the tortoises and learned why it is important not to take exotic animals as pets and not to touch any reptiles in the wild. It was great fun and very interesting to see so many different kinds of reptiles in one place! Each family donated $3 per person plus one or more items from the organizations wish list. A journalist and a photographer from a local newspaper went on the tour with us.

CITRUS PICKING FOR UNITED FOOD BANK

2007-01-25T16:30:00.000-08:00

We picked lemons, grapefruits, and oranges from the trees of a local resident. The fruit was donated to the United Food Bank to feed the hungry. Even our youngest members were able to help by picking up fruit from the ground and carrying it to the donation bin! United Food Bank reported back to us that our group picked 318 pounds of fresh citrus fruit to help those in need. They estimate the number of meals we created was 245.

FAIR TRADE AT THE FARMERS' MARKET

2006-12-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

For this project, we sold Fair Trade items from WHEAT’s Hand to Hand project at a local farmers’ market. We educated customers about Fair Trade and its benefits to the artisans and the environment. Items we sold included toys, puzzles, jewelry, and decorative pillows. Each item had its own story, but the pillows were especially unique, as the stories of the women, refugees from Afghanistan, who crafted them were written on one side of the pillows. A press release we wrote about the event was picked up by a local newspaper, and one family who came to purchase Fair Trade items did so because they were eager to learn more about Roots & Shoots as well.

SENIOR HOLIDAY CARE PACKAGES

2006-12-20T16:27:00.000-08:00

Group members purchased items for holiday care packages for six senior citizens living alone. One family brought them to the Via Linda Senior Center, where the packages were distributed.

HOLIDAY SPONSORSHIPS FOR SAVE THE FAMILY

2006-12-19T16:26:00.000-08:00

Ten year old Sammi, who planned a baby shower in September for a family receiving housing services from Save the Family, decided to sponsor the same family again for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She collected items from group members to fulfill the family’s wish list and also shopped for some items using her own money that she earns as a “parent’s helper.” Her favorite part was making home-baked pies and greeting cards for the family. Sammi is now planning to organize a spring garage sale and bake sale to raise money for the family and the organization.

HIKE AT LOST DOG WASH TRAIL

2006-12-18T16:28:00.000-08:00

Today we visited our revegetation project from November at the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead. Everyone was pleased to see that the cacti we planted were still standing! We hiked along the trail for a mile or so, before the children became engrossed in the many beautiful quartz rocks on the ground. When we returned to the trailhead, the sun was just setting.

JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

2006-12-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

Although President Franklin Roosevelt declared Pearl Harbor Day a day that “will live in infamy,” we celebrated the common wish for peace of children in the US and Japan with a tour of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Before the tour, we read a report of this day in history, as well as a heartwarming news story entitled, “Japanese attackers, U.S. survivors of Pearl Harbor attack reconcile in Hawaii”. The Garden is the product and shared cultural vision of the Sister Cities of Phoenix and Himeji, Japan. It’s name - Ro Ho En - is a combination of three Japanese words. Ro means Heron, a bird symbol of Himeji City. Ho is the Japanese word for the city of Phoenix bird. En means garden. Himeji became a Phoenix sister city in November 1976 and is one of nine sister cities around the globe. Phoenix and Himeji participate in business, governmental, cultural and educational exchanges that promote international goodwill and understanding. Our guides told us the garden has a “seek and reveal” design so that at each point of the garden you discover something new because of your new perspective. This applies to both sights and sounds (of the several waterfalls). The children’s favorite part was looking at the Koi fish that gathered when we were on a bridge. We also shared the 1,000 origami cranes, photos and letters from the R&S group in Kanagawa, Japan, where we sent 1,000 cranes for R&S International Day of Peace in September (see 9/14/06).

RE-VEGETATION AT PAPAGO PARK

2006-12-02T16:23:00.000-08:00

REI sponsored this event as part of an ongoing revegetation project at Papago Park in Phoenix. It was a cold morning, but we warmed up quickly digging holes for bushes, trees, and cacti, and planting them in the ground with a mixture of soil and manure, then fetching buckets of water for them. The park rangers were awesome to work with, and REI fed us lunch and gave us volunteer shirts. Seven year old Mikal said before the event: “What I really like about revegetation projects is not only that we get to help the environment, but it’s DANGEROUS. We get to use tools, like picks, and work with cactus.”

FAIR TRADE PRESENTATION BY WHEAT

2006-11-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

This day we had a presentation about Fair Trade by WHEAT, the World Hunger Advocacy, Education, and Training organization. We learned who makes Fair Trade items and how it helps them to be a part of fair trade with some hands on activities. We split into groups, and each learned about a Fair Trade item, then presented back to everyone else by showing on a world map where the item was made, of what materials it was made, and how the craftspeople benefited from Fair Trade. We played with Fair Trade toys and made art work in the style of Fair Trade artwork. Finally, we had the opportunity to shop. Children and parents together generously spent $254 on Fair Trade items. Every $1500 that WHEAT collects can support a family of four for a full year.

"EAT MY YARD!"

2006-11-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

We learned about permaculture from Farmer Greg while sampling organic fruits, veggies, and herbs from his yard, otherwise known as the Urban Farm. YUM! Greg showed us his new outdoor kitchen and plans for an outdoor shower, both designed to facilitate the flow of gray water into the gardens. Animals are a vital part of growing food at the Urban Farm also. Earthworms create rich compost while reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise go to the landfill. Chickens provide eggs as well as fertilizer for the gardens. Our group ordered three fruit trees to plant in January at Save the Family, Child Crisis Center, and Paz de Cristo.

RE-VEGETATION AT LOST DOG WASH TRAILHEAD

2006-11-16T16:20:00.000-08:00

Together with the Jumping Chollas Roots & Shoots group from Fountain Hills, we planted cacti around the newly completed trailhead at Lost Dog Wash Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It was fun to appreciate how much our children and our group have grown since we last did a re-vegetation project in the Preserve on 3/18/05!

MESQUITE COOKIES, ANYONE?

2006-11-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

Together with the Phoenix Permaculture Guild, the Phoenix Slow Food Group, and the Urban Farm, we hosted a nonprofit educational table at the Ahwatukee Farmers’ Market during the annual mesquite bean milling. People had the opportunity to bring mesquite beans collected during the summer months to be ground into flour by volunteers from the Phoenix Permaculture Guild. Our group baked mesquite cookies in a solar cooker and gave them away while speaking with shoppers about Roots & Shoots and about solar cooking. We gave out the recipes on quarter sized sheets of paper that included the http://www.rootsandshoots.org/ website. A newspaper article the day before this event helped publicize our presence there.

WALK TO BENEFIT JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION

2006-11-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

A RFH Roots & Shoots family team, "Preston Prescription for a Cure," joined an estimated 23,400 walkers with 500 dogs at this event that raised nearly 1.9 million dollars for diabetes research. Along the three mile walk, we passed a crowd including new reporters gathered around a man carrying a small monkey in a diaper and on a leash. Our children expressed concern that it was wrong for this creature to have been taken from the wild, opening a discussion among our parents and children about primates in captivity.

REEVIS MOUNTAIN SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

2006-10-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Six families traveled to Roosevelt, Arizona, to visit the Reevis Mountain School. We enjoyed fresh fruits and nuts right off the trees in an orchard of some 70 fruit and nut trees, petted turkeys, helped collect eggs, and learned about organic gardening and solar power in this sanctuary from the hectic pace of the modern world. We gathered herbs and sampled cattails. Our families shared a delicious dinner of farm grown greens, freshly baked bread, and other delicacies, along with herbal teas made from the herbs grown there. After dinner we made arts and crafts with Indian Clay gathered from nearby. The trip was a wonderful opportunity for children and parents alike “to reconnect with nature, earth and spirit.”

BEARS FROM KIDS WHO CARE

2006-10-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

After six year old Alex’s brother was hospitalized earlier in the year, he decided he wanted to do a project to help the children at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Together, he and his mother thought of a wonderfully fun project to help. Our group had a tour of the Stuffington Bear Factory in Phoenix, where each child helped make a special bear to donate to the children at the hospital. Our tour of the factory taught us not only how the stuffed animals are made, but how the Teddy Bear got its name from President Theodore Roosevelt. What a fun way to have a history lesson! All together, our group donated 17 bears with birth certificates, along with coloring sheets, books and toys to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. A family visiting the United States from Japan also contributed 1,000 origami cranes, a common gift in Japan to wish well someone who is sick. This event received coverage in two newspaper articles in the Arizona Republic as well as a brief TV news segment on ABC 15.
http://www.abc15.com/news/schedule_archives/
http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/1028gr-roots1028Z12.html
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1028Roots1028.html

ARIZONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM TOUR

2006-10-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

After meeting at the park for some fun on the playground, our group traveled across the street to the Arizona Historical Society Museum for a tour. We checked out exhibits on population growth and its effects on the environment and animals. We also enjoyed the outdoor Greenline Exhibit about water conservation in the desert. One shortcoming of our tour was that our guide, unfortunately, seemed to be not very tolerant of inquisitive children. So we turned that negative aspect into a learning experience as well - a lesson in compassion for other people, as our children and parents exercised a good deal of patience and understanding.

Ten year old Sammi responded to one exhibit about Japanese-American interment camps in Arizona during WWII. She was outraged at the injustice, as she associates Japanese culture with beauty, good food, and origami – many thanks to R&S cultural events in 2005 (see 8/05)! We talked on the way home about hate crimes and discrimination, the fact that these atrocities still occur in our society, and how NonViolent Communication is one approach to dealing with intolerance.

GREEN BUILDING EXPO

2006-10-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

For two days, our group hosted a table at the Ninth Annual Green Building Expo. We shared displays of our group’s projects, gave out R&S newsletters, and shared information about starting new groups with nearly 4,000 people in attendance at this expo that was all about sustainable living. Scouts and other young people in attendance picked up eco treasure hunt questionnaires from us and gathered information from exhibitor tables to return to us in exchange for a patch and a free pass to the Phoenix Zoo. Everyone’s favorite part was demonstrating the solar cookers, both the ones we made in April and a SPORT model solar oven from the Solar Oven Society. We served fresh veggies as well as cookies, and some of our children enjoyed delivering cookies to exhibitors at far ends of the expo. A fun time was had by all and new friends were made!

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR CHILDREN

2006-10-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

On this day, Heather Okvat, a teacher of meditation, led children and parents in exercises to learn mindfulness. In mindfulness, we develop moment-to-moment awareness of what's going on inside of us and around us. It's a wonderful life skill that helps one to experience thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without getting overwhelmed. Benefits include being:
· Better able to manage current stress as well as stress they'll encounter later in life
· Less reactive to external influences, including peer pressure
· Able to find satisfaction in the beautiful things in life without having to seek thrills that could be dangerous
· In better physical health by breathing deeply, relaxing the body and mind
· More focused thanks to sitting meditation practice, leading to improved academic performance
· Improved social relations with friends, siblings and parents, by learning to calm down, identify feelings and needs, and communicate those calmly
· Greater well-being and inner peace that can be brought to interpersonal relationships & the world
This activity was a natural complement to our NonViolent Communication workshop on 7/22/06.

R&S INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE/NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

2006-09-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

RFH Roots & Shoots members flew our peace dove at a National Public Lands Day event at North Mountain Preserve in Phoenix, Arizona. Our day started at 7am, when we joined hundreds of other volunteers for a trails cleanup. It took only a few minutes for our group to gather an overflowing bucket of trash from the trail! Our peace dove, Shanti, flew from 8am – 1pm next to our exhibitor table, where we spoke with others about R&S International Day of Peace and our service learning projects. We helped children to plant sunflower seeds in paper pots, which they took home to plant in their yards, where the pots became compost to feed their sunflowers. Even at 100 degrees that day, there were roughly 5,000 people in attendance at this event. It was exciting to share our peace dove with so many people!

CELEBRATION OF UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

2006-09-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

Today we recognized United Nations International Day of Peace by kicking back with a movie that teaches the importance of living in peace with our environment, animals, and each other, Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind. We shared snacks and friendship.

1,000 CRANES FOR PEACE

2006-09-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

At this event we discussed the story of Sadako Sasaki, read the book Peace Crane by Sheila Hamanaka and looked at maps to locate Kanagawa, Japan. We then folded origami paper cranes to add to the hundreds we had left over from the R&S “1,000 Cranes for Peace” event in August 2005. When another group of 1,000 cranes for peace was complete, we strung them together to send to a R&S group in Kanagawa for R&S International Day of Peace on September 30th. The group received the cranes in time for Peace Day, and sent us back 1,000 cranes that they and their schoolmates made, along with photos and letters, which we later shared at the Japanese Friendship Garden on December 7, 2006.

NATURE WALK IN FLAGSTAFF

2006-09-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

On this day we enjoyed a nature walk with another Roots & Shoots group in Flagstaff. About two hours north of Phoenix, Flagstaff is in a different biome. Our local members noted the cooler temperatures and different flora and fauna. All the children enjoyed chasing lizards, climbing boulders, exploring caves, and catching falling oak leaves while hiking to the base of Mount Elden. It was wonderful to make a connection with others who are committed to making a difference in our state.

IT'S A GIRL!

2006-09-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

When ten year old Sammi saw homeless people at the park during our Solar Cooking for Kids! event on 3/25/06, she was moved to learn more about the issue of homelessness and how she could help. She was surprised to learn that, unlike the men she saw in the park, 40% of the homeless in the US are women and children, with the average age of a homeless person being nine years old. After researching some of the organizations that serve the homeless here in the Valley of the Sun, Sammi decided to find out more about volunteering with Save the Family, an organization with a mission “to provide homeless families with children the tools necessary to achieve long-term financial, parental and personal self-sufficiency through a comprehensive program of transitional housing, case management and supportive services.” Sammi attended the volunteer orientation and chose to help by throwing a baby shower for a mom in the program, collecting items that the family needed from our group members and preparing food and decorations for a celebration to shower the family with gifts. Seven families from our group generously contributed items such as baby clothes, toys, sippy cups, a bouncer, and a double stroller, as well as pizza and cake for the shower. Sammi baked cupcakes to bring, and was thrilled to meet the mom we were helping and watch her eyes light up as she unwrapped the gift. The highlight of the evening for Sammi was holding the three month old baby and having her fall asleep right in her arms.

BEAVERS!

2006-08-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

Joining Ranger Armstrong and Ranger Joos for their homeschool program at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, we took an easy 1.5 mile hike out to a unique riparian habitat along the Gila River. Along the way, we picked up trash, which quickly overflowed the bag the rangers had provided. One of our members took the bag home to sort out recyclable materials, which accounted for most of the items collected. At the wetlands, we saw trails left by beavers’ tails, a beaver dam, a beaver lodge, and trees that had been cut by beavers. The children even got a chance to use the radio telemetry equipment to locate beavers, although the nocturnal animals were sleeping by the time we arrived. During the hike, the rangers taught us many interesting facts about beavers and how they impact their environment, which reinforced learning that took place during the IMAX movie on Beavers at the Arizona Science Center field trip on 7/27/06. The largest rodent in North America, beavers have the greatest impact of any animal besides humans on their environment. They also have long term monogamous relationships and shared responsibility in caring for their young, endearing them in the hearts of our Roots & Shoots families.

NVC PRACTICE – EXERCISING COMPASIONATE COMMUNICATION

2006-08-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

Three families met to share and practice the language of NonViolent Communication learned in the workshop of 7/22/06. Children and parents acted out a conflict scenario and talked about how it could be resolved compassionately using the NVC process. After the role play, children enjoyed the outdoors together with the host family’s dog, Kiwi, and watched a couple of episodes of “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.” The planeteers are young environmental and humanitarian activists, much like Roots & Shoots members. Kiwi also inspired us to consider a future fundraiser – a dog wash!

EXPLORING BIOME BOXES

2006-08-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

Completing the Biome Box Exchange project described in the activity report from April 7, 2006, we explored the items contained in the boxes from our three partner Roots & Shoots groups. From the Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome in Ohio we received three trivia board games created by R&S members there to test our knowledge of their biome. All answers could be found in a looseleaf notebook picturing and describing various flora and fauna of the forest. Highlights from the Subtropical Biome in Florida included seashells and a photodisc of wildlife. Photos of alligators were met with many oohs and aahs! It was interesting to see that although we live in very different biomes, we still share some wildlife in common, such as herons, which can be found in wetlands and artificial lakes in the midst of the desert. It also was interesting to compare and contrast our desert biome with that of our third partner group out of Midland, Texas.

BIRTHDAY BOXES FOR THE CHILD CRISIS CENTER

2006-08-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

Since the children in our group are not old enough to work directly with the children at the Child Crisis Center, they volunteered by collecting items to help the children there have a happy birthday celebration. Children at the Child Crisis Center are celebrating their birthdays in shelters after being removed from situations of abuse or neglect at home. Our group gathered to assemble items we had collected to create “Birthday Boxes,” including such items as party supplies, cake mix, and gifts. The children also helped decorate the boxes with drawings and birthday messages. During our meeting, the moms read some picture books to the children about the joys of sharing and giving to others in need. These books included The Runaway Rice Cake, The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need, The Shaking Bag, and Rosie and the Poor Rabbits.

FIELD TRIP TO THE ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

2006-07-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Taking an indoor break from summer in the desert, our group learned about animals and the environment while exploring the Arizona Science Center. We enjoyed hands-on exhibits on water conservation, living with the sun, and “Animal Grossology.” Most members also chose to view an IMAX film, either “Coral Reef Adventure” or “Beavers.”

CULTIVATING UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT WITH THE LANGUAGE OF PEACE

2006-07-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

Group members along with other community members participated in two workshops to learn the process of NonViolent Communication that encourages us to focus on what we and others are observing, how and why we are each feeling as we do, what our underlying needs are, and what each of us would like to have happen. The children selected conflicts they have experienced in their own lives to act out and resolve using this new language. Dr. Marshall Rosenberg was originally inspired to develop this model of nonviolent communication by his own experiences with racial and religious discrimination in 1943. Also known as “Compassionate Communication,” NVC is now taught and practiced in 40 countries. Worldwide, nonviolent communication “serves as a valuable resource for communities facing violent conflicts and severe ethnic, religious, or political tensions.” Our group plans to continue to practice and teach nonviolent communication in our homes and group meetings, on the playground, and at community outreach events. This project was funded by a “Promoting Unity in the Community” grant from the City of Scottsdale’s Office of Diversity and Dialogue. Many thanks also goes to the New Vision Center for Spiritual Growth who provided the location for the workshops.

"BEAT THE HEAT" CARE PACKAGES FOR SENIORS

2006-06-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

Together we assembled 20 “Beat the Heat” care packages for seniors with items each family had purchased. Each package also included pictures colored by the children and a group photo. We delivered the care packages to the Via Linda Senior Center, where City of Scottsdale social workers will bring them to seniors living alone and speak to them about the importance of keeping cool and well hydrated during the brutal desert summer. This year was the second time our group has contributed to this annual event, and we are proud to have increased the number of care packages donated from 6 to 20.

FLASHLIGHT TOUR AT THE DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

2006-06-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Families met at sundown for a guided flashlight tour of the Desert Botanical Garden. We saw the garden in a different light, along with the wildlife that comes out after the day’s heat has ended. Along the trail, Garden volunteers showed us toads, frogs, and snakes. We also got to sample candy made from saguaro cactus fruit – a real treat! Touching the snakes seemed to be the children’s favorite part of the night.

FUNDRAISING FOR COMMON GROUND RELIEF COLLECTIVE

2006-06-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

From March to Junes, we raised funds and collected items for donation to the Common Ground Collective, a community-initiated volunteer organization providing short term relief for hurricane victims in the gulf coast region and long term support in rebuilding affected communities. Some members sold lemonade, others chocolate, and still others asked local stores for gift cards or in-kind donations. Overall, we collected about $400 in cash and in-kind donations.

CARSON AND BARNES CIRCUS PROTEST

2006-05-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

On May 10th and 11th, together with other local animal lovers, our families held a peaceful protest against the use and mistreatment of animals in the Carson and Barnes Circus. Children and their parents stood near the entrance to circus parking holding posters of elephants in chains and wild cats in cages. We got the attention of circus patrons as well as that of other passersby and the local media. The Arizona Republic published a photograph and quotes of R&S members in an article entitled, “Circus is in town; so are protesters.” Background information and supplies for the protest came from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

NEW HOMES FOR BURROWING OWLS

2006-05-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

On April 29 and again on May 6, together with other volunteers for Wild at Heart, we helped build artificial burrows for relocated owls. The population of burrowing owls in Arizona is declining because the owls live in holes dug by mammals, and the mammals are being eliminated as open space is developed. Wild at Heart is protecting the owls by building new underground homes and releasing the owls back to artificial burrows where there won't be more development. All our hard, dusty, hot work was rewarded when we got to meet the family of owls moving into the burrow we helped build on 5/6: a mother, father, and 6 juvenile owls. Group members first learned of Wild at Heart at a special pre-release showing of the movie “Hoot” based on the book by Carl Hiaasen. We were invited to the screening in thanks for our volunteer service at the Feathered Friends Festival (see 4/8/06).

SOLAR COOKING FOR KIDS!

2006-04-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

On March 25 and again on April 21, we had perfect cloudless days for this popular event, where children and their parents learned about the principles of solar cooking from Leslie Cole and Lora Boge, built their own “Cookit” model solar ovens, and sampled their own solar cooked foods – delicious nachos, biscuits, and cookies. Some food was shared with homeless individuals in the park, inspiring one 10 year old member to consider the issue of homelessness as a future service learning venue for our group. We were honored to have with us 89 year old Sherry Cole, who together with Barbara Kerr designed the box cooker in the 1970’s. Their groundbreaking work led to the creation of Solar Cookers International, a nonprofit organization that works with people worldwide to promote solar cooking and improve quality of life. While solar cookers are a fun alternative here in the Sonoran Desert, they are life saving devices in other parts of the world, where they are used to purify drinking water and sterilize medical instruments, not to mention save women from having to walk miles to find firewood and inhale smoke while cooking. They have been successfully introduced in refugee camps, and it is our hope that word about the benefits of solar cooking will continue to spread through the Roots & Shoots global network. Solar Cooking for Kids! was funded by a grant from the Captain Planet Foundation through Earth Day Arizona, Inc. Photo by Amy Kennedy Photography.

FEATHERED FRIENDS FESTIVAL

2006-04-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

Group members learned care and compassion for animals at this annual tribute to birds, animals, insects and all other forms of wildlife at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert Arizona. Some of us hosted a Roots & Shoots exhibitor table where we welcomed children to play “Mr. Mouth,” a game that demonstrated how frogs catch insects with their sticky tongues. We also shared information about our local group as well as how to start a new group and sold Newman’s Own Organic chocolate to raise funds for our service learning projects.

BIOME BOXES

2006-04-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

At this meeting, we assembled information, writings, drawings, and photos describing our desert biome along with samples of desert plants in “biome boxes” to be exchanged with Roots & Shoots groups in Florida, Texas, and Ohio. We talked about what a biome is and what the children think is special about living in our biome. We look forward to receiving our boxes from the other groups and learning about their biomes in May.

2005-2006 Ongoing Projects

2006-04-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

Partnerships in Understanding
Throughout the year our group corresponded with children in a refugee school in Sierra Leone through their RESPECT program. Most of these children were in school for the first time, having been forced from their homes during the rebel war in their country. We sent money raised from fundraisers so they could purchase school supplies and other necessary items. To learn more about the situation in Sierra Leone and the hardships these children have endured, please visit http://www.freethechildren.org/peace/childrenandwar/sierraleone.html.

Recycling at Crown Court Apartments, Scottsdale, AZ
One Roots & Shoots family started a recycling program for junk mail at their apartment complex. Since January 2005, they have been collecting approximately 150 pounds of junk mail per week to deliver to city recycling locations. That’s nearly 8,000 pounds of paper a year! They also speak with neighbors and post information for the community about city recycling locations and ways people can reduce their junk mail. In 2007, the family realized just how much influence their project has had, when members of the apartment maintenance staff joined the recycling effort by collecting phone books that had been delivered to unoccupied apartments.

10 EDIBLE PLANTS OF THE DESERT HIKE

2006-03-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

At McDowell Mountain Preserve Ranger "Crash" led us on a .4 mile hike and spoke of the food and medicinal uses of the Saguaro Cactus, Barrel Cactus, Buckhorn Cholla, Teddy bear Cholla, Ocotillo, Palo Verde Tree, Mesquite Tree, Jojoba Bush, Creosote Bush, and Mormon Tea, all of which we saw on the trail. At the visitors’ center, the children learned more about desert wildlife and care and compassion for animals as they interacted with a baby snake. We took photos to include in our “biome boxes” for exchange with three other R&S groups.

CITRUS PICKING FOR UNITED FOOD BANK

2006-03-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

Members picked grapefruits, oranges, and lemons from the trees at an elderly couple’s home. This project helped the couple, who were burdened with sweeping up the fruit that dropped off the tree, and helped feed the hungry through United Food Bank’s programs. The children were also able to connect with nature by eating some fruit fresh from the tree.

LOCAL TO GLOBAL JUSTICE TEACH-IN

2006-02-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

Our group joined other social activist groups with an informational table at the 5th annual Local to Global Justice Teach-In at Arizona State University. Adults and children sat down with us to make origami peace cranes and chat about the Roots & Shoots mission, how to start a group, and about our ongoing projects. We collected $8 for our fundraiser for the Common Ground Collective, as well as lemons from the Phoenix Permaculture Guild so that we can raise funds with a lemonade stand. We also made a connection for an ongoing fundraising opportunity for our group through Cartridges for Kids. At the end of the day, the children helped clean up trash that had accumulated in a nearby fountain.

HIKE AT MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK

2006-02-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

We gathered today for a short hike, along with one four legged member of the group. As we hiked, we talked about water conservation during the current drought that is the longest on record this century in our area. We also gathered plastic bottles left at the trailhead for recycling. After our hike, the children enjoyed snacks and friendship on the playground.

CHINESE CULTURAL DAY

2006-01-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

One of our members, who is a native of Hainan Island off the coast of China, organized this Chinese Cultural Day in celebration of Chinese New Year. We learned about Chinese customs, history, and geography, and practiced counting to ten and writing our names in Chinese. The most fun part for everyone was the “chopsticks challenge,” where the children challenged themselves to pick up noodles, peas, and ice cubes with chopsticks. Everyone enjoyed scallion pancakes and a variety of sweet treats that are commonly eaten for Chinese New Year.

CITRUS GLEANING

2006-01-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

On December 26 and again on January 14, Roots & Shoots members joined with members of the Phoenix Permaculture Guild to help our neighbors and the hungry while addressing the local roof rat problem. Roof rats feed on the citrus fruit remaining on trees, then find their way onto people’s roofs and into homes, while spreading disease. Our team of volunteers picked oranges and grapefruits to deliver to local foodbanks. From one yard, R&S members delivered nearly 400 pounds to a local food bank one day. With less fruit available to them, the roof rats do not reproduce as quickly.

LEARNING ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY AT THE APS STAR CENTER

2006-01-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

Group members visited one of the world’s premier Solar Test and Research facilities, operated by our local power company, APS. We learned how new technologies are developed and tested for converting solar energy into low-cost electricity. We also discussed the importance of using renewable energy sources that reduce pollution including wind power, biomass, and methane, in addition to solar power. http://www.aps.com/my_community/Solar/Solar_53.html