Celebrating Three Decades of Roots & Shoots with Mary Ford | Episode 63

In this episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Mary Ford, Senior Director of Roots & Shoots USA, the Jane Goodall Institute’s global youth program. Mary shares the inspiring origins of Roots & Shoots—how a conversation on Jane Goodall’s porch in Tanzania sparked a movement that now empowers young change makers in over 70 countries.

We explore how conservation is evolving beyond protecting forests and wildlife—embracing a more holistic, community-driven approach. Mary discusses the power of mentorship, the ripple effects of grassroots action, and why Jane prefers the phrase “think locally, act locally” over the traditional “think globally” mantra. She also dives into the “compassionate traits” Roots & Shoots fosters in young leaders, equipping them to tackle environmental and social justice challenges with resilience and hope.

Tune in to discover how small actions can create a global impact—and how young people everywhere are proving that deep roots and strong shoots can break down any wall.

🌱 Learn more about Roots & Shoots: https://rootsandshoots.org

🌱 Learn more about The Jane Goodall Institute: https://janegoodall.org/