Jane Goodall is coming to Tampa Bay to get kids involved in the environment

Legendary conservationist Jane Goodall will lead a youth empowerment night at Tropicana Field on Sept. 14 in advance of a day of environmental service meant to focus on young people in Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program.

Working in alliance with several other Tampa Bay-area environmental organizations, Roots & Shoots will welcome their iconic namesake for a live appearance amid a weekend of high-energy, environmentally-focused events.

The founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace will speak at Tropicana Field at 7 p.m. Sept. 14. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $10-$20.

Goodall has built up a lifetime of advocacy since she first began her groundbreaking research of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania when she was just 26 years old.

The 90-year-old’s work has taken a turn in recent years, focusing on how young people can create change within their communities. And for her, this work is just as significant.

“So many people feel helpless and hopeless ... but people taking small actions to make the world a better place, that is changing the world,” Goodall has said. “What matters is people understanding that as an individual, what they do makes a difference. Not because it’s just them, but because they are not alone.”

Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is an international youth program with a significant presence in Tampa. She aims to inspire young people of all ages in nearly 70 countries to create positive change in their communities, the organization said.

Earlier in the day during her visit to St. Petersburg, there will be a Youth Environment Summit at Tropicana Field. Aspiring conservationists in Grade 4 through college age are invited to a symposium, which will include guest speakers, workshops tailored by age group, and a convention floor with booths from local environmental organizations.

Talks and activities will be organized into three categories: our water, our shorelines and our cities. Advance registration for the summit is available through Eventbrite and includes a ticket to the evening talk. Registration for the Youth Environment Summit will not be available at the door.

Then, on Sunday, Sept. 15, there will be a “Day of Action around Tampa Bay.” Local environmental organizations who are part of the Roots & Shoots Alliance invite students, families and members of the community to sign up for one of the numerous service projects they will be hosting around the area on Eventbrite. They include projects like a beach cleanup in Madeira Beach and trash clearing at John’s Pass Park.

You can learn more about her visit and register at rootsandshoots.org.