Jane Goodall: A Continuing Inspiration to the World

Written by Alicia Bynum.

Photo: G Adventures

 “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
- Jane Goodall

A scientist, conservationist, peacemaker, and mentor, Jane Goodall is an astounding nominee for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. With over 50 years of work and dedication, Goodall has proven a legacy for the protection of wildlife and conservation of the environment to ensure a better future for all inhabitants of the world. At 85 years old, Jane continues her studies by touring place to place and spreading the message of hope as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

via GIPHY

Achievements Throughout the Years

1960 - Jane observes groups of chimps and learns that they eat meat, hunt, and make and use tools.

1963 - National Geographic publishes a cover story about Jane and her research on chimpanzees.

1965 - National Geographic films “Miss Goodall and the Wild Chimpanzees” and airs their film internationally.

1977 - The Jane Goodall Institute is founded for the continuation of chimpanzee research, conservation efforts, and environmental education and mentorship.

“I went in as a scientist and came out an advocate.”
​- Jane Goodall

1986 - Dr. Jane Goodall becomes an activist and switches her focus to a broad animal-human conservation approach, rather than the mere study through observation and research.

1991 - Roots & Shoots is founded to encourage youth around the world to pursue their passions and become leaders in promoting a better future for people, animals, and the environment.

1991 - The Jane Goodall Institute establishes the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center to provide and care to now more than 150 orphaned chimpanzees.

1994 - Jane starts community-conservation work in Tanzania.

2004 - Jane is named a UN Messenger of Peace.

2005 - The Jane Goodall Institute establishes a formal conservation action plan focused around Gombe Stream National Park.

2005 - Jane is awarded the Jackson Wild Legacy Award.

Photo: National Geographic

“When you live in the forest, it’s easy to see that everything’s connected.”
- Jane Goodall

2010 - The 50th Anniversary of Jane’s research in Gombe, making it the longest continuous study of chimpanzees in the world.

2016 - The 25th Anniversary of Roots & Shoots, reaching nearly 100 countries and a network of youth following Jane’s conservation ethics and examples.

2017 - The 40th Anniversary of The Jane Goodall Institute and its expansion into a global mission.

2019 - Jane celebrates her 85th birthday and continues to spread the message of hope through lectures on protecting chimpanzees from extinction, species conservation, and the urgency of global environmental crises.

Jane Goodall has promoted a sense of peace for the world and its entirety. She did not stop at the study of chimpanzees. She grew a legacy with The Jane Goodall Institute which has inspired the world to continue to grow her mission of peace between people, wildlife, and the environment.

Photo: NPR

“We are all connected- we must find ways to understand chimpanzees, their health and behavior, to best protect them, ecosystems and human communities alike.”
- Jane Goodall

Goodall has spent a lifetime of dedication to what began as her passionate research on chimpanzees. Through Goodall’s research and inspiration to our world’s youth, we have learned much of how each individual can contribute and make a difference for the sake of all wildlife, human beings, and our precious planet.

via GIPHY

“If we all give up hope and do nothing, well then indeed there is no hope. It will be helped by all of us, every one of us taking action of some sort.”
- Jane Goodall