The Jane Goodall Institute

Dr. Jane Goodall’s legacy lives on in the people whose lives she touched, who were filled with hope by her messages, and inspired to take action to protect wildlife and their habitat — the natural world. Jane’s mission was to inspire hope and transform it into action — work she was doing up until her last moments. The Jane Goodall Institute will continue Dr. Goodall’s work. We remain steadfast in our commitment to her vision of a science-driven, integrated approach to protecting nature and a healthy planet where people make compassionate choices to live sustainably, and in harmony with each other, other animals, and the environment we share. Jane redefined both science and mankind with her discovery that chimpanzees make and use tools. Her singular work is still carried out through JGI’s Gombe Stream Research Center, which just celebrated 65 years of continuous wild chimpanzee research. Jane believed all animals are sentient beings worthy of our compassion. She worked tirelessly to improve animal welfare for every species. Today, JGI leads the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa, where over 150 rescued chimpanzees and many other species receive best-in-class care. When Jane learned about the threats facing chimpanzees, she switched her focus from science to advocacy. In 1994 she launched JGI’s signature, community-led conservation approach, Tacare, now used in over 100 villages along chimpanzee habitat. Most notably, the Tacare approach has helped local communities restore the forests surrounding Gombe in Western Tanzania, where Jane’s research began. Most of all, Jane believed in the power of young people to make a positive difference. In 1991, she launched her youth program, Roots & Shoots. Now active in 75 countries and counting, Roots & Shoots empowers young people to live as compassionate citizens. Jane often said that in addition to her chimpanzee research, she wanted to be remembered for Roots & Shoots. Today and every day, we are reminded of her words: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." To learn more about how you can honor Jane, you can visit https://lnkd.in/e5Y83SJE

With great sadness, the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed this morning the passing of the organization’s founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, age 91 who died peacefully in her sleep while in Los Angeles, CA for her speaking tour in the United States. Dr. Goodall’s life and work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the environments we all share. She inspired curiosity, hope and compassion in countless people around the world, and paved the way for many others — particularly young people who gave her hope for the future. In 1960 Dr. Goodall established the longest running wild chimpanzee study in Gombe National Park, Tanzania which continues to this day. She pioneered and sustained the Jane Goodall Institute’s community-centered conservation initiatives across the chimpanzee range for over four decades. Her legacy includes the creation of JGI’s international environmental and humanitarian youth program Roots & Shoots, which is actively driving change in 75 countries and counting around the world. The Jane Goodall Institute is incredibly grateful to all our supporters, partners, and friends, especially during this difficult time. To add a personal remembrance of Dr. Goodall and continue her legacy for future generations, please visit https://lnkd.in/e5Y83SJE #ThankYouJane #RememberingJane 💚 Photo credit: Marko Zlousic

The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute has passed away due to natural causes. She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States. Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.

🌳🌲 We love planting trees as part of our initiative to restore forest habitat. But once planted, how do we make sure trees thrive? To answer this question, our Conservation Science team partnered with Esri to create JGI's Tree Restoration System! 🤩🤝 This system collects standardized data on our global tree planting and ecological restoration projects, allowing us to monitor their success over time. Using Esri mobile data collection, our teams on the ground can record project, site, and activity-level details, and turn them into webmaps and dashboards for easy data visualization. 📊🗺️ With these, we have a clearer picture of how many trees we’re planting globally, where those trees are, and how they’re faring today — tools that help us ensure a lasting impact! 👏💚 Thank you to our friends at One Tree Planted, World Resources Institute, and Arbor Day Foundation, as well as our on-the-ground teams across JGI ( Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania, and Jane Goodall Institute Global ), for their input and advice throughout this process. 📸 credits: 1: JGI Uganda 2+4: JGI/Kennedy Kitandwe 3: JGI/Lilian Pintea #TreeRestoration #HabitatRestoration #ConservationScience #TreePlanting

Meet @ Sims Patton , a PhD candidate at The George Washington University doing her research out of Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania! 🤩🔍 🌿🇹🇿 Gombe Stream Research Center is the site of the longest-running wild chimpanzee study in the world, and the place where Dr. Jane Goodall first made her trailblazing observations. Over 65 years later, this research continues through people like Sims who have been inspired by Jane! 🐵🌱 Though her interest in primates started young, Sims's Gombe journey began in 2021, when she joined the Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab at The George Washington University. She had a particular interest in learning how primates' early lives shape their adult behaviors. 🌳📊 Now a fifth year PhD candidate, Sims has been contributing to our data on the social patterns of female chimpanzees. Earlier this year, she completed her first field season at Gombe, officially marking her name in the Gombe record forever. She also gathered some pretty exciting stories, including a few run-ins with siafu, otherwise known as safari ants! 🐜 🧐💭 Looking ahead to the future of Gombe research, Sims wonders how climate change will impact chimpanzee habitat and behaviors: "Will temperature and rainfall impact the fruit trees there? Will the chimps resort to eating more fallback foods like leaves and grasses?” We're counting on Gombe researchers like Sims to keep seeking answers to these questions! 🌟 Meet more of Gombe's researchers on our blog >> https://lnkd.in/eqEH59Bx 📸 credit: Sims Patton #Gombe #ChimpanzeeResearch #ChimpanzeeConservation #Primatology #ChimpanzeeBehavior #PrimateBehavior #Researcher

🚪✊ What do you do when an unexpected visitor shows up to your door? Well, you probably want to find out why they're there! 🦍🌳 When the first-ever recorded gorilla appeared in the forests of the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve in the Republic of the Congo (RoC), this is exactly what our team wondered. What might have been an exciting discovery instead made the team at JGI RoC concerned — the gorilla was young and alone, and being solitary at such an age is highly unusual. This sighting raised urgent questions: 🗺️ Were they separated from their group during migration? 🪵 Had they been displaced by human activities such as deforestation, mining, or trafficking? 🧐 Could other gorillas have also moved into other areas of the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve? To help find answers, the The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is supporting JGI RoC in a research and conservation initiative focused on: 📊 Collecting data on the gorilla’s movements, behavior, and health 🔍 Assessing the presence of other gorilla populations in the wider region ⛔️ Identifying barriers (human or natural) to connectivity with other groups 🌿Exploring new habitat corridors that could reconnect the gorilla with its species This solitary gorilla’s story is still unfolding, and with dedicated research there is hope it may one day find its place within a group. On #WorldGorillaDay , we celebrate the progress of collaborative conservation science that makes such futures possible. 💚🤝 📸 credit: JGI/Fernando Turmo #MBZFund #Gorilla #GorillaConservation #Tchimpounga #Primatology #JaneGoodallInstitute

On September 22, during Climate Week in New York City, Forbes will convene the foremost innovators and leaders for the Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit. We are honored to announce that Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, world-renowned ethologist, conservationist, founder of The Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, will be joining us. For nearly 65 years, Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking research in Gombe, Tanzania has transformed our understanding of the natural world. Her tireless advocacy continues to inspire millions to take action for a more sustainable future. Join us virtually to hear directly from Dr. Goodall and other global leaders driving change across business, policy, and innovation. 🔗 Register for the livestream here: https://lnkd.in/ed5VmbmG

Excited for this panel featuring our very own Alice Macharia, VP of African Programs at JGI 🎉

🌱✨ Chicago, you filled us with hope! On September 13th, we gathered at Lincoln Park Zoo for a special Roots & Shoots event with Dr. Jane Goodall. Jane began the day alongside zoo leadership with a quiet visit to the rescued chimpanzees—taking a moment to connect with them and reflect on the care, respect, and conservation that guide all of our work. 🐵💚 The highlight of the day took place at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, where young people, educators, and community members came together to celebrate the power of Roots & Shoots. Through their projects and ideas, we were reminded that every individual—no matter their age—can make a difference. A heartfelt thank you to Lincoln Park Zoo and to all of the Roots & Shoots changemakers who joined us. Chicago, your energy inspires us to keep building a more compassionate and sustainable world. 🌍🌿 📸 JGI/Eric Guzzetta . . . #RootsAndShoots #JaneGoodall #JaneGoodallInstitute #JGI #HopeInAction #ChicagoEvents #LincolnParkZoo #YouthEmpowerment #Changemakers #Conservation

😝 Who's this curious chimpanzee sticking her tongue out at us? It's Ada, one of the residents at JGI's Tchimpounga sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo! 🚑 Despite her joyful nature, Ada's story has a sad beginning. When her mother was struck in a tragic accident on a remote forest road in June 2024, tiny infant Ada was found clinging to life. After a recommendation from the Wildlife Conservation Society, she was brought to Tchimpounga sanctuary, where she received the specialized care she urgently needed. 🩻 Arriving dehydrated and with an injured finger, Ada was stabilized by her devoted surrogate human mothers, Godeline and Francine, who provided round-the-clock care. The veterinary team performed a successful surgery to amputate her damaged finger, after which Ada quickly grew stronger and more active. 🐵 Knowing how vital social bonds are for young chimpanzees, the team soon introduced Ada to Djambala, another infant rescued earlier in the year. The two formed an instant, heartwarming connection, as you can clearly see in the third photo here! 💞 Today, Ada and Djambala spend their days playing, foraging, and napping side by side — beginning a friendship that will help them heal, grow, and, possibly one day, thrive in the forest once again. You can help us care for chimpanzees like Ada by becoming or gifting a Chimpanzee Guardian sponsorship >> https://lnkd.in/e9MVSYnD *Dr. Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute do not endorse handling or close proximity to wildlife. This represents a sanctuary context with trained professionals.* 📸 credits: JGI/Fernando Turmo #Tchimpounga #Chimpanzees #WildlifeRehabilitation #Inspiring #JaneGoodallInstitute