Every single day, Dr. Goodall and the staff of the Jane Goodall Institute hear stories about how Dr. Goodall’s life, work and message have caused them to take action or feel moved in some way. The stories speak of what can be accomplished today for a more harmonious planet where humans, other animals and the environment live in harmony. What if we could amplify these stories and make that future a reality?
In honor of the Jane Goodall Institute’s 40th anniversary, Jane Goodall’s Hope in Action campaign calls upon people everywhere who have been inspired in some way by Dr. Goodall’s message of hope, to share their stories. This is #HopeinAction.
Submit your story for a chance to be featured: bit.ly.hopeinaction
Patti Toohey
A few years ago I noticed the Wildlife foundation in my hometown took collections of acorns and pumpkins for the animals and Carrie was off…not only has this inspired her to collect and donate, her little, her little brother now does this, her before and after school care collects for us and now her Girl Scout troop. Reading about Jane and seeing the movie has shown Carrie how one person with compassion can help and make change. Thank you Jane for your love of animals and the environment. You are an example to my children to continue to be responsible for our world. I have attached a picture of Carrie dressed up as Jane, collecting acorns for our local wildlife center.
Jennie Burns
Ever since I was a child, I knew of the important work that was being done on the ground with chimps by Dr. Goodall. I was obsessed with wildlife, nature shows, and anyone who worked closely with wildlife, conservation, and ethology. I knew the definition of that word at age 13, and decided that I would be an ethologist when I grew up.
Though the field of ethology isn’t exactly what I ended up going into, I did get my biology degree from the University of Utah. Jane played a huge role in that. I pictured her face every day in class as motivation for reaching my goals to graduate – you see, I grew up in a *very* poor family and was the first to go to college, let alone graduate. During college I started working in the campus research labs where my love for the tropics blossomed. I studied under a tropical ecologist with a passion for tropical ants and how they behaved and socialized. I also studied tropical plant defenses and their evolution against herbivores. After college, I volunteered in both Costa Rica and Belize for months at a time, as well as with other wildlife sanctuaries around the world. Now I pass my love of wildlife and conservation on by bringing people on wildlife volunteer projects around the globe with my company Jennie of the Jungle. To see someone look into the eyes of an animal they have found a connection with is my favorite feeling in the world. I thank Jane for my motivation to keep doing this work in a field that is sometimes difficult to remain in. I had the honor of meeting her last year and I still picture her smiling face when times seem dim, and I know I just have to keep doing what I am doing in order to save this planet.
Dayna Reggero
I became a vegetarian at 12 years old. My first job was at a zoo when I was 18 years old. I went on television for a decade with animals to share ways people could take action to help endangered species and local wildlife. Then, I went behind the camera, filming individuals across the United States and around the world to share hopeful stories on climate and community through my Climate Listening Project. I was invited to the Paris Climate Talks to show one of my films and to film interviews while there, including an opportunity to finally meet Jane Goodall, but I became very ill with pancreas issues before the event and ended up in the hospital unable to go! I’ve worked for 20 years to connect people around hopeful solutions through the things that connect us: the animals we love, the food we eat, faith, family, business, and place. I was recently honored as an Official Selection for the Belize International Film Festival for my “Wood Thrush Connection” film that shows people from all backgrounds around the world taking action to protect a bird they love. My newest film series “The Story We Want” shows women across America working together in a culture of extraction to create solutions. The people I’ve met as a result of being inspired by Dr. Goodall have given me hope.
How to put your hope into action:
To submit, simply click here and fill out the form with all the details of your tale of achievements for the benefit of people, animals, and the environment :
By sharing your story you enable us to take it even further, and you may be highlighted on our website, social media or other platforms! With each story, we are building and expanding an action for good community of all ages, and we want you to be a part of it.
Don’t forget to also share your stories on social using #HopeInAction, and tag @janegoodallinst.
The Jane Goodall Institute is a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, we improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. Everything is connected—everyone can make a difference.
