To make a difference for the animals, people, and environments in your community, you’ll need to build an understanding of their needs.

For the community centered change projects we do with our African partners, we always begin by understanding a community. You’ll do the same for your Roots & Shoots project! The map will help you identify any sustainability issues you might want to tackle for your project.

See the 'Understand' section of the Educator Toolkit or Youth Toolkit for guiding questions and techniques to help you observe and map your community.

Download your Community Mapping Guide.

Mapping your community

Community Mapping With ArcGIS

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: Take Action to narrow down your project ideas and identify your community issue.