Wangari Maathai’s holistic approach to environmental stewardship, integrated problem solving, and citizen empowerment is inspiring individuals, schools, and many groups around the world to take action.

We encourage you to use ‘Taking Root’ and the resources on this page to make a difference in your own community and country.

If you initiate activities as a result of seeing our film, be sure to let us know! Then add your photos to our album on flickr.

Filmmaker Lisa Merton planting a tree in Karura Forest in October in memory of Wangari Maathai.

 

Taking Action

International Grassroots Outreach Project

We are bringing Wangari Maathai’s inspiring story to people all over the world! We have received a grant to produce ‘Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai’ in over 20 languages – and to provide the new language versions to help communities across the planet address their own environmental sustainability, human rights, and empowerment needs.

Phase I: Translation, Subtitling & Dubbing Production

We are currently in the process of producing dubbed versions in Kiswahili, Haitian, Indonesian, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. We expect to have DVDs in these languages available by mid-summer 2011. We will then begin the next round of translations

Please contact us at takingrootfilm@gmail.com for more information or suggestions on new language versions of ‘Taking Root’.

Phase II: Grassroots Outreach Partnerships

We are forming partnerships with established grassroots organizations to distribute the film and facilitate local actions for the environment and related issues of good governance, equity, and peace. Initially, we are focusing on organizing in the critical areas of Haiti, Indonesia, West Africa, and the Amazon rain forest.

We have some initial partnerships with organizations in Haiti, Indonesia, and Ecuador.

Let us know if your organization is interested in being one of our international partners - and we welcome your questions and suggestions about the international outreach project. Contact us at takingrootfilm@gmail.com.

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Action Resources

International Resources:

We are working with the Green Belt Movement (GBM) to develop additional resources for international organizing, including a written Taking Root International Action Guide and information about GBM Civic and Environmental Education Seminars.

For more information about the Green Belt Movement, go to www.greenbeltmovement.org

Hosting a Screening:

Download and print out our checklist for hosting.
Download a mini-poster and postcards for your event.

Home Use DVD's are available via our website. 
Schools, organizations and public libraries may purchase from New Day Films.

Action Guide (US and Canada)

Download this Action Guide pdf for tree-planting and related ideas.

Email takingrootfilm@gmail.com to request a printed copy of the Action Guide

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Action Stories

Students at Oak Grove School made slide shows about their Tree Planting with Wangari.

If you initiate activities as a result of seeing our film, be sure to let us know! Then add your photos to our album on flickr!

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Donate!

You can help support educational outreach, inspired by Taking Root, by making a financial contribution. Even small donations are greatly appreciated.

 

Use Paypal or mail a check directly to:
Insight Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box 96
Marlboro, VT 05344

Please note “Taking Root” on the memo line of your check.

You will receive a confirmation of your donation by mail. Insight Productions is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Thank you very much.

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Community Partners Click logos to visit partner sites

Green Belt Movement provides income and sustenance to millions of people in Kenya through tree planting and conducts educational campaigns to raise awareness about women's rights, civic empowerment and the environment throughout Kenya and Africa.

Forest Justice is an office of the National Wildlife Federation which inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future. NWF’s Campus Ecology® program/Forest Justice promotes climate leadership and sustainability among colleges and universities by providing resources and technical support, creating networking opportunities and organizing education events.

350.org is an international grassroots campaign that is mobilizing a global climate movement through a common call to action – reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million..

Alliance for Community Trees is dedicated to improving the health and livability of cities by planting and caring for trees. With 160 grassroots affiliates in 40 states and Canada, ACT member organizations have planted and cared for 14.9 million trees in cities with help from 4.3 million volunteers.

The Alliance for Global Conservation is a partnership among Conservation International, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society and World Wildlife Fund. The Alliance is working to encourage the U.S. to create a comprehensive global conservation strategy and take a leadership role in addressing natural resource destruction and species loss before it's too late.

Green For All is dedicated to fighting poverty and pollution, and advocates for local, state and federal green job creation, job training, and entrepreneurial opportunities, especially for people from disadvantaged communities.

Katahdin Foundation creates and supports documentary films that tell compelling stories that inspire, engage and even enrage. For more information about recent Katahdin projects like The Garden, The End of America and Homeland, visit: www.katahdin.org.

Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and inspired by Wangari Maathai, encourages people around the globe to make a tree planting pledge online with the collective goal of planting at least one billion trees worldwide each year.

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