The documentary film ‘JANE’ is a phenomenon – but it’s only part of the story. The film covers the remarkable journey of 26 year old Jane Goodall as a young researcher immersing herself in the lives of wild chimpanzees, and her personal struggles and accomplishments as a trailblazing scientist, mother, wife and mentor. But today, at age 85, Jane has lived through decades of impactful work since her precious time in Gombe which have been just as compelling and world-shaping. Finally, a new documentary special through National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute is taking a fresh, new look at…
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.
In a royally excellent meeting of compassionate leaders, Prince Harry and Dr. Jane Goodall came together along with 26 young Roots & Shoots representatives from around the world for the Global Summit at Windsor Castle! The event included a speech from Prince Harry, a showcase of Roots & Shoots projects, brainstorming for current and future collaborations, and a thinktank on how to make the world a better place, today. The Roots & Shoots model is all about how each and every one of us can make a difference every single day. The 26 representatives from all around the world are…
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The Jane Goodall Institute global network of chapters and Roots & Shoots Offices celebrates World Chimpanzee Day, along with many other NGOs and individuals around the globe, in honor of the day in 1960 when our founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, first stepped foot in what is now Gombe Stream National Park to study wild chimpanzees. The day will be a celebration of our closest living relatives as being unique, inherently important and essential to their ecosystems, and the most like us in the entire animal kingdom. It is also a rallying cry to invite participants around the world to take action…
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When 26-year-old Jane Goodall entered Gombe, Tanzania, she had no prior experience other than a passion for, and profound knowledge of, other animals. Essentially nothing was known or available to learn about wild chimpanzees before she began her research. Her studies changed that and the entire scientific landscape. Today, thanks to her studies and the ongoing research of those that followed in her footsteps, not only is there more understanding than ever, it’s now at your fingertips with an all new online course through Duke University and Coursera featuring the research of Jane and JGI! Chimpanzees are one of our closest living relatives, yet almost…
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How do you spread hope in a digital world? Make hope virtual! In an exciting and groundbreaking undertaking, students at George Washington University are creating a virtual version of Dr. Jane Goodall to help spread her message of conservation and compassion for today, and the world of tomorrow. The project, a partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, is housed in the GW Innovation Center. Over the last year, this partnership between the Jane Goodall Institute and GW centered on how to engage the next generation with Jane’s wisdom and her research. The “Virtual Jane” project was born, and is being led…
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After intensive research and scoping to understand the threats to the populations of chimpanzees in Liberia, along with deepened existing relationships with conservation partners including Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection Organization, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) will begin implementation, alongside expert scientists in the fields of behavior change and species viability, of our well established, unique community-centered conservation and chimpanzee welfare approach in the region. During the development of the current JGI Africa Programs 10-year strategy, it was underscored that to protect endangered chimpanzees, ensuring the conservation and welfare of chimpanzees across their range in Africa was imperative. It was…
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We are pleased to introduce Tammy Palmer as JGI’s new interim executive director, leading the organization’s direction and strategy through her robust expertise, including many years of experience in development economics; microfinance; economic governance; gender in development; and as former head of Africa Programs. The scope, philosophically and logistically, of Tammy’s role represents a fascinating and vital trifecta of work: staffing, finance and programmatic management. Tammy explains, “We are defining it really to suit the purpose of the organization at this point in time in terms of its mission, as well as in terms of specific functions that are delineated…
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We at JGI believe and know that every species and habitat on Earth is connected. From the forests, to rivers, to the people who depend on those rivers, to chimpanzees, and every being in between. We also believe in and have seen the tremendous power of hope turned into action – that we can as individuals and as a conservation community help protect AND live harmoniously with the natural world of which we are all a part. It is our mission to ensure that balance and hopeful work to build a better future for all, before it is too late. To…
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April 27, 2019 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden and unexpected death of long-time colleague and friend, Hilda Tresz. Hilda was a very special part of ChimpanZoo, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute Global, which is dedicated to improving the welfare of captive chimpanzees through observational research, behavioral enrichment and environmental education. Hilda’s passing occurred while she was on assignment in Nepal. With the support of the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation Phoenix Zoo where Hilda served as behavioral enrichment and international animal welfare coordinator, and the generosity of a number of donors, Hilda traveled around the world…
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We at the Jane Goodall Institute recently saw articles showcasing a video of a juvenile chimpanzee using a cell phone. Unfortunately, and likely not clear to the writers and readers, this is an awful portrayal of a captive live juvenile chimpanzee. We hope the articles and the video will be taken down and that we can as a community commit to better policies around showcasing and caring for captive animals (and wild). We also hope statements/explanations about the decision to remove the articles and the video are made to help improve awareness and understanding of the issue. I am very disappointed to see the inappropriate portrayal of a juvenile chimpanzee in…
