2027 Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA Application

There is a powerful force unleashed when young people resolve to make a change.            --Jane Goodall, Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey

Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA (RSYC) brings together extraordinary changemakers from across the United States who represent the Jane Goodall Institute’s commitment to building hope through action.

Roots & Shoots Youth Council youth leaders are high school and college age Roots & Shoots members who organize and implement service projects in their communities addressing a range of issues from supporting pollinators to aiding stray animals to food insecurity to climate change. During their time on the Council, our youth leaders gain new skills and support to expand their community service projects and collaborations. 

To apply, you must be...

• 14-19 years old at time of application.
• Currently in 9th-12th grade or have graduated from high school (or an equivalent). Those who have graduated from high school do not have to be currently enrolled in post-secondary institution (college) to apply.
• A current resident in the United States or one of its territories, as well as attend school in the United States.
• A registered member of Roots & Shoots with a recent Project Profile on the Roots & Shoots website. You can register and create your profile at the time of application.
• An active changemaker with a history of participating in and/or leading Roots & Shoots service projects in your community that help humans, other animals and our shared environment .
• Ready to commit to an active year (Jan-Dec 2027) with the Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA, which will include two online meetings a month, continued work on R&S action in your community, and an optional 3-5 day in-person RSYC Summit during the summer.

Good to know

• Be ready to answer thought-provoking questions and to reflect on your desired growth and commitment throughout 2027. We estimate that it will take at least an hour to complete the application.
• You can save and return to your application if you can't finish in one sitting. Be sure to click the "Save Draft" button before closing your window.
• If you need to change the information you submitted, you can request to edit the submission, if it's prior to the deadline of Oct. 28, 2026.
• For help with using Submittable (this application platform), check out this webpage.

2027 RSYC application, interview & selection timeline 

September 28, 2026 - Application opens  

October 28  - Application and reference due  (by 8:00 pm Eastern Time)

Mid-late November - Applicant interviews 

Mid-December - Notification of acceptance

Mid-December-early January - New members complete online acceptance forms and meet mentors

Jan 7, 2027  - New Member meeting (online)

Jan 28, 2027 - Full 2027 Council meeting (online)