Grassroots was founded and incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in 2000 by Executive Director Patti Wood and her husband Doug. Mrs. Wood is an educator, author and environmental advocate, and serves as a Visiting Scholar at Adelphi University where she lectures on environmental health at the School of Nursing and in the Department of Chemistry. Mr. Wood is a composer, author and documentary filmmaker, former President of the Production Music Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

The mission of Grassroots is to bridge the gap between scientific research and public knowledge by educating the public about the links between common environmental exposures and human health. Our programs are based on science, our network of medical physicians and researchers are experts in the field of environmental health, and our communication tools include videos, DVDs, radio commercials, interactive Web sites, public health forums and print materials. Grassroots' current projects cover a wide range of issues from support for local sustainable agriculture to a nationwide program on green cleaning products used in schools.

"I always felt that if you had the ability to help someone in need, you had the obligation to do it," says Patti. "When I first got involved with the issue of environmental toxins and I realized the impact they were having on innocent people - especially children and their families - I knew we had to do something to help people understand the impact these toxins are having on human health, and what we can do about it."

"Real change in environmental health will come from the bottom up, not the top down," says Doug. "This is a case where the leaders will follow if the people will lead. Our mission is to help the people lead."