Where in the World was Jane in 2024?

Jane took the stage at UNESCO in Paris to deliver a powerful Speech for History, championing global collaboration and local empowerment to protect biodiversity and address climate change. Speaking directly to the core of UNESCO’s mission, she celebrated its efforts to educate communities and highlighted the importance of combining local knowledge with conservation efforts. This partnership resonates deeply with JGI’s work, as Gombe National Park — home to JGI’s groundbreaking research — is a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Jane fulfilled a dream by speaking on the Greenpeace stage at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival — one of the world’s most famous music and arts events, drawing over 200,000 attendees annually. Sharing the spotlight with artists like Coldplay and Dua Lipa, she introduced new audiences to JGI’s global conservation efforts, including Roots & Shoots and Gombe research. Amid the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, Jane inspired thousands with messages of hope and the power of individual action to create a better world.

Jane returned to Toronto for the first time in six years with a sold-out lecture for over 2,000 attendees. She reflected on her extraordinary journey, shared bold steps to protect our planet, and inspired audiences with her hopeful vision for the future. Jane also received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Artists for Peace and Justice during the Toronto International Film Festival — honoring her relentless advocacy, global citizenship, and commitment to nature.

While visiting JGI Canada, Jane and the team paused to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of a solar eclipse. Surrounded by nature, the moment served as a reminder of the interconnected wonders of our universe.

Jane brought hope to Mumbai for several busy days spent inspiring audiences with her message of conservation and compassion. Her visit included impactful events such as announcing a partnership between Roots & Shoots India and the Museum of Solutions and planting an Ashoka sapling in the museum’s Grow Lab where visitors engage deeply with nature, emphasizing the importance of protecting urban green spaces.

Jane’s visit to Salzburg included a visit to the Grünau Wildlife Park where she planted a “tree of hope” with students from a local elementary school, symbolizing their efforts to making the world a better place for future generations. This heartfelt moment was followed by a performance of songs from the children.

Jane joined the Los Angeles Roots & Shoots Basecamp for a powerful International Day of Peace. As a UN Messenger of Peace, Jane shared her hopeful message, inspiring global action for people, other animals, and the planet. The event featured a vibrant peace dove parade, live music, engaging speakers, and exhibits from Roots & Shoots groups, Rotary Clubs, and local sustainable businesses. In partnership with California Volunteers, participants also planted native plants on-site, demonstrating a hands-on commitment to environmental stewardship. It was a day of celebration, collaboration, and tangible action toward creating a better world.

It was a historic day in Kigoma as the community established Dr. Jane Goodall Road, named in honor of Jane’s incredible contributions to her pioneering research at Gombe Stream Research Center and her continuous chimpanzee protection efforts. The Vice President of Tanzania, Honorable Philip Mpango, led the ceremony, celebrating Jane’s groundbreaking work that has sparked global conservation efforts. This new road stands as a lasting tribute to her vision and impact, inspiring continued support for the planet’s biodiversity.

Jane returned to APOPO for the first time in nearly 20 years, reconnecting with the remarkable HeroRATs — African giant pouched rats trained to detect landmines and tuberculosis, and assist in wildlife conservation. Her visit included demonstrations of their life-saving work. In a heartwarming moment, a young HeroRAT fell asleep in her hands and was fittingly named “Jane.”

Jane concluded her inspiring visit to Chile with a sold-out lecture for an audience of over 700 people. She shared personal stories from Gombe, illuminating the beauty and fragility of our planet. The evening was both a lesson in hope and a call to action — urging us all to heal the damage we have caused. In addition, University of Chile awarded her the prestigious Doctor Honoris Causa medal. This esteemed accolade is granted to individuals who have made outstanding contributions across various fields of knowledge, culture, science, arts, and society. The Doctor Honoris Causa is one of the highest academic distinctions awarded by the university, and we are honored to see Jane recognized for her lifelong work advocating for people, other animals, and the planet.

Jane opened the Starmus VII Festival in Bratislava with a powerful lecture, emphasizing the need to overcome unprecedented environmental challenges. As one of over 50 experts in climate change, AI, and environmental science, she stressed the importance of global action and shared her message of hope, urging individuals to make a difference. The festival, combining science and music, also featured a heartfelt surprise performance by Phil Collins at the Stephen Hawking Medal Ceremony, honoring Jane’s legacy in conservation and inspiring meaningful change for the planet.

Jane spent two weeks in Australia taking her to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, where she shared her message of hope with over 8,000 people at 12 events. Throughout her time, Jane connected with hundreds of Roots & Shoots youth, gave multiple media interviews, and spoke passionately about the power of individual action in protecting our planet.

Jane visited the Prague Zoo where she named a baby gorilla Gaia — born there just a month prior — and introduced the Czech translation of her book Pangolin, signing hundreds of copies for fans. In her speech Jane discussed linking her Roots & Shoots program with the Prague Zoo’s Wandering Bus project, which works to change attitudes toward gorillas and wildlife in Cameroon. The event was emotional for many, as Jane met hundreds of admirers inspired by her lifelong commitment to conservation.

At the Global Citizen Festival, Jane took to the red carpet and stage to encourage young people to take action and #VoteForNature. In a memorable moment, she and Post Malone shared a powerful exchange before taking the stage, discussing the urgent need to protect our planet. Their words of wisdom and empathy struck a chord as they discussed the importance of protecting the planet. When Jane said, ‘Together, we must make the world a better place,’ Post responded in true style with his iconic, ‘Yes Ma’am.’

During Jane’s time in Bogota, she met with Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, to discuss shared goals for biodiversity conservation and climate action. This meeting laid the groundwork for JGI’s involvement in COP16 — a critical platform for global collaboration on addressing the climate crisis — showing the power of collaboration in tackling global environmental challenges. While in Colombia, Jane also participated in a Roots & Shoots workshop in Medellín, inspiring young changemakers to take action in their communities.

At the 2024 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Jane discussed climate action and why she remains hopeful for the future — especially due to the passion of young people. She reflected on the resilience of nature and how both technology and tradition can support conservation efforts. The World Economic Forum is a prestigious event that brings together global leaders and innovators to drive change. Being among this group of thought leaders in conservation underscores the importance of collaboration across sectors to tackle environmental challenges we face.