Dr. Jane Goodall’s enduring legacy of hope and conservation

Each week, One Earth is proud to feature a Climate Hero from around the globe who is working to create a world where humanity and nature can thrive together.

A life devoted to understanding our closest relatives

dr. Jane Goodall’s journey began with a simple fascination for animals. Born in London in 1934, she grew up watching birds, reading stories about Africa, and dreaming of a life among wild creatures. Her childhood curiosity blossomed into a lifelong calling. 

In 1960, she traveled to what is now Tanzania and began observing chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park. Without formal scientific training, she approached her work with patience and empathy, qualities that led to one of the most important scientific discoveries of the twentieth century. 

Redefining what it means to be human

Goodall’s groundbreaking research revealed that chimpanzees make and use tools, display deep emotions, and form lifelong family bonds. Her observations overturned the long-held belief that tool use separated humans from other animals, compelling the scientific community to rethink humanity’s place within the natural world. 

By naming her subjects David Greybeard, Flo, and Goliath instead of assigning them numbers, Goodall humanized her research and demonstrated that empathy and science can coexist. Her work transformed ethology, the study of animal behavior, and ushered in a new era of conservation built on respect for all living beings.

From researcher to global advocate

In 1977, Dr. Jane Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to protect chimpanzees and their habitats through science, community engagement, and education. What began as a small nonprofit supporting field research at Gombe has grown into a global network of activists advancing conservation from the ground up.

At the heart of JGI’s work is a simple but transformative idea: you cannot protect wildlife without supporting the people who share their home. The Institute pioneered a community-centered conservation model, recognizing that local well-being and environmental stewardship are deeply intertwined.

Through its TACARE (Take Care) program, JGI works with villages surrounding Gombe to restore forests, improve soil health, and create sustainable livelihoods. Communities participate directly in reforestation and land-use planning, combining traditional knowledge with modern mapping tools. These efforts not only expand critical habitat for chimpanzees but also sequester carbon, improve food security, and enhance climate resilience.

Beyond habitat protection, JGI supports clean water initiatives, women’s health education, and microcredit opportunities, empowering individuals, especially women and youth, to become environmental leaders in their own right.

Roots & Shoots and the power of youth leadership

Goodall’s work has always been rooted in hope, and nowhere is that clearer than in Roots & Shoots, the global youth program she founded in 1991. What began with a small group of students in Tanzania has grown to over 10,000 groups in more than 100 countries.

Each Roots & Shoots project is youth-led and place-based, addressing local issues through practical action, whether planting native trees, supporting wildlife corridors, or reducing waste in schools and cities. The program fosters empathy for all living things and empowers young people to see themselves as agents of change.

The power of compassionate activism

Goodall’s activism extended far beyond chimpanzees. She campaigned for animal welfare, ethical science, and plant-based living, urging humanity to adopt a lifestyle rooted in compassion and sustainability. She worked with organizations and governments to end the use of chimpanzees in medical research and spoke passionately about the links between deforestation, food systems, and climate change. Her vision of interconnectedness, between animals, people, and the planet, became a moral compass for the global environmental movement.

How Jane Goodall inspired the One Earth community

At One Earth, Dr. Jane Goodall’s legacy continues to inspire our work to protect and restore the natural world. Our Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, Kate Thomas, shared a personal story that captures Goodall’s enduring influence:

“When I was about 16, my parents took me to see Jane Goodall speak in Dallas. Listening to her was like a light switching on in my heart. I decided that night I wanted to dedicate my life to working with primates. She stayed until every book was signed, and I was lucky enough to meet her. A year later, I was studying Anthropology in college. She literally changed the course of my life.”

During Climate Week NYC 2025, a few members of our team had the privilege of hearing Dr. Jane Goodall share her wisdom at one of her final public events with Planetary Guardians. Her message was simple yet profound:

The hope and legacy of her life’s work

Dr. Jane Goodall’s life’s work is a blueprint for addressing the climate and biodiversity crises together. By linking conservation with community well-being, she showed that restoring ecosystems strengthens resilience to climate change. Her initiatives: reforestation, habitat protection, and youth engagement, directly contribute to carbon sequestration and the preservation of life-support systems essential for our planet’s health.

At its heart, her message was simple yet transformative: when we protect nature, we protect ourselves. Her legacy reminds us that the path to a stable climate is not only technological but deeply personal, rooted in compassion, curiosity, and our shared responsibility to care for all living beings.

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