Observe: Are you unsure of what issue you want to address? Try community mapping! In Africa, the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI) experts in conservation use mapping to improve communities around chimpanzee habitats with the involvement of local, indigenous knowledge. At Roots & Shoots, young people are the experts! You will use the same strategy as JGI's scientists and field experts to explore your local community and identify areas to make a difference with a tool called Community Mapping.

CHOOSE YOUR MAPPING TOOL:
Use the table below to choose your mapping tool! Each tool will guide you from making observations to identifying an issue that your service project will aim to solve.

If you're looking for a quick way to get started and choose 3 projects (one for people, one for animals, and one for the environment) start with this community mind map activity.


MAPPING TOOLS:
Click the icons to view each how-to guide  
 

MICRO-
MAPPING SPRINT

 MAPPING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
 COMMUNITY MAPPING
101
 DIGITAL MAPPING [MYMAPS]
 DIGITAL MAPPING [ARCGIS]
   1 hour   1 to 2 hours  2 to 3 hours   2 to 3 hours  3 to 5 hours

Identify one-time service project

        

Identify long-term campaign

  

Create a pen & paper map

      

Create a
digital map

      

Access public
data to include

        

Collaborate on digital map with multiple users

        

EXAMPLE MAPS: 

(Click maps
to enlarge) 

 WATCH: DIGITAL MAPPING IN ACTION

 Google © My Maps

 Esri © ArcGIS
DIGITAL MAPPING ICONS
(Drop & drag them to your desktop!)
Check out this awesome set of icons from
our friends at the University of Victoria!


 

See the “Map It” section of the Toolkit for
guiding questions and techniques to help you observe and map your community.

Educators, click here to explore opportunities just for you and read how other educators are using the Roots & Shoots Formula!

PRESENT YOUR FINDINGS
Present your findings to your group mates and have a discussion about what you learned from your maps. Move to Step 3: Taking Action to narrow down your project ideas and identify your community issue.