Forests are vital. They provide water, food, and livelihoods for billions of people around the world. They contain a staggering diversity of life. They create the oxygen we breathe and regulate our climate. Tragically, they are being destroyed at an alarming rate. This is largely due to powerful economic and political interests, and consumer demands for beef, mined materials, palm oil, paper and other products. This process is wiping out countless species, increasing inequality, threatening the survival of indigenous communities, and all life on Earth. But what if forest protection, replanting and restoration are the best solution for climate change we have?…
Author: Ashley Sullivan
Ashley Sullivan
Ashley Sullivan is the Director of Storytelling & Marketing for Communications & Partnerships at the Jane Goodall Institute USA, where she works to connect individuals with Dr. Jane Goodall's vision, and the JGI mission to create a better world for all by protecting the interconnections between people, other animals, and the environment. Ashley graduated Stony Brook University with a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and a minor in Biology, and is pursuing a Master's of Science in Environmental Science & Policy at Johns Hopkins University with a focus on Environmental Justice. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, now a D.C. resident, she has a varied background including 10+ years of expert communications and digital marketing in the social and environmental non-profit sector. Her intersectional approach to this work has been shaped by a holistic world-view, having traveled to Madagascar and Ecuador for conservation research projects, leading communications for youth social justice filmmaking organizations, and as a part of several professional groups advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in environmental spaces including Greens REALIGN. With skills ranging from conservation fieldwork, policy and advocacy campaigns, strategic communications, art, digital media, and design, Ashley believes in sharing information to empower and in the magic of storytelling to transform hearts and minds. Through growing understanding, empathy, and justice, she is igniting positive change to create that better, more equitable world, every day.
To spread hope for 2020, and to showcase all we were able to achieve because of you in 2019, we’ve created this very special window into our year – a representation of what is possible when you turn hope into action every single day. Enjoy our 2019 Year End Update! 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…
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In 2019, we witnessed tragedy, hardship, and loss. At the same time, we witnessed a generation electrified by these realities, especially overt and constant exposure to these challenges. This spark has ignited young people from every country, background, identity, and age charging forth, leading efforts to inspire, support, shape, grow, create and solve to make this a better world for all. Our Roots & Shoots members across the United States sent shock-waves through their communities and the world with their projects, purpose and passion. Each of these people and projects represent the 9 Roots & Shoots Compassionate Traits, which help…
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2019 was full of stories – good, challenging and everything in between. GFAN stories are those fueled by hope, which inspires us all to take action. We’ve collected some of our and your favorites from this year, helping us to better understand our world, other species, other people, and what we can each do to make a huge positive impact. Explore these stories to get inspired for a year of hope, joy, passion and action in 2020! LEAKEY AND GOODALL: SCIENTISTS WHO CHANGED HOW WE DEFINE ‘HUMAN’ CHANGING OF THE CHIMP MATRIARCHAL GUARD IN GOMBE BRINGING JGI’S INNOVATIVE CHIMPANZEE CONSERVATION MODELS AND…
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The chimpanzees at JGI’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo have been given a second chance. From tragedy their lives have new hope and new friends through the JGI staff and fellow rescued chimpanzees. Thanks to your support, these amazing, dynamic chimpanzees are able to live happy, health lives without fear. These are their stories…Scroll through for more>>
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On Thursday, October 10, The Walt Disney Family Museum hosted a celebration to honor the achievements of Dr. Jane Goodall at the museum’s historic location in the Presidio of San Francisco. The evening was made even more special with an announcement made by Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of The Walt Disney Family Museum for a $1 million pledge to the Jane Goodall Institute from the Ron and Diane Disney Miller Charitable Trust in honor of the upcoming 60th anniversary of Dr. Goodall’s pioneering wild chimpanzee research in Gombe National Park this 2020. This pledge is the inaugural contribution to the…
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Seeking transformative experiences in many ways defines the “American Dream” of today. Though things like home ownership and a nuclear family are certainly still #goals for some, for many others the desire to experience new places, new people, and “interesting” activities is perceived as central to defining a fulfilled or successful life. This is amplified by a growing imperative to document experiences on social media, and can come with well-intentioned but harmful expectations around interactions, especially with nonhuman animals both in the wild and in captivity. Thankfully, booking platforms like Airbnb are taking this seriously, building a new animal welfare…
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We’re very pleased to announce that the Worldwide Award for Biodiversity Conservation was awarded to the Jane Goodall Institute! The award from the BBVA Foundation was given in recognition of JGI “for its extensive track record and major global impact in conserving biodiversity, particularly chimpanzees and their ecosystems in Tanzania, with a pioneering approach that privileges the involvement of local communities.” “I am truly thrilled and honored at this recognition of the extraordinary work being done by all those forming part of our project in 34 countries ,” said Goodall yesterday in reference to the award. “And I am sure…
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National Geographic Society and Jane Goodall Institute Partner to Produce “Becoming Jane,” Immersive Multimedia Exhibition on Legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall There have been many films and books about Dr. Goodall’s extraordinary journey as an insatiably curious and motivated young woman becoming a global icon and dedicated activist, but none have truly allowed you to walk in her footsteps – until now! Her indelible legacy in the fields of science and conservation is finally becoming an immersive experience in “Becoming Jane,” a new exhibition which opened at the National Geographic Museum on Nov. 22, 2019. Produced in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute,…
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I only met Frank twice. We got together for the first time 4 years ago and right from the start it felt as though I had known him forever. And that was the first time I met a bilby, that beautiful little Australian nocturnal marsupial ( Macrotis lagotis). Frank had brought some very special ones with him – three young and very famous triplets. He asked, “Would you mind if one was named Jane?” Would I mind! I was so honoured. It is impossible to see these delightful little creatures and not fall in love. With their huge ears and long noses they are a bit like the result…
