Author: Hannah Summers

In the heart of western Tanzania, deep in the lush forests of Katavi, the steady hum of bees signals more than just the making of honey — it tells a story of resilience, opportunity, and sustainable transformation. Abdallah Kakoso and Rehema Humud never expected that bees would change their life. For years, limited economic opportunities made it difficult to provide for their family, and deforestation put additional strain on their land and resources. With forests shrinking due to unsustainable farming and firewood collection, life was becoming even more challenging — money was tight, opportunities were scarce, and the future felt…

When disaster strikes, young people have the power to make a difference — and Roots & Shoots was created to help them do just that. Designed to support youth in taking action for their local communities, the program inspires changemakers to turn their compassion into meaningful impact. In the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which destroyed homes and businesses and displaced both people and animals, JGI is honored to see the Roots & Shoots community step up. These changemakers are proving that even small actions can bring hope and relief in times of crisis. Mobilizing Relief for Fire…

In 2024, the Jane Goodall Institute marked a monumental year as we celebrated Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday, reflecting on her incredible legacy and the hopeful vision she continues to champion for the planet. To commemorate this milestone, Jane embarked on a global tour, visiting 27 countries across six continents — making her message of hope and action resonate around the world. Jane’s year was filled with impactful moments that not only celebrated her lifelong work but also ignited a sense of urgency for environmental action. She took the stage at major events like Climate Week NYC, including Global Citizen…

An update from our 2023 annual report. Curiosity, resilience, and innovation are essential elements born from Dr. Jane Goodall’s first steps into the forests of Gombe. Drawn to this work due to her unceasing desire to understand animals, Dr. Jane Goodall found that observing nature and performing scientific research fulfilled her innate sense of wonder. Today, science is at the center of JGI’s work, which is always infused with compassion as we cultivate respectful relationships with the people, animals, and ecosystems with which we work. Our team commits to community engagement and capacity-building, ensuring that scientific knowledge is disseminated and…

An update from our 2023 annual report. Hope is a transformative force. At her core, Dr. Jane Goodall believes that hope inspires action, and in turn, inspires more hope — a virtuous circle in which, if every individual participates, the world fundamentally changes. Every program at the Jane Goodall Institute activates this ethos and inspires individuals worldwide to create a brighter, more sustainable future. There is so much that is worth saving — and that we can save, if we do not lose hope.   The Tapestry of Hope: Mapping Hope and Action  Community-led initiatives are making a difference every day, all…

The Gombe-Masito-Ugalla ecosystem is home to more than 90% of Tanzania’s estimated 2,200 chimpanzees—a population that is facing increasing threats due to habitat loss and population fragmentation, disease, and illegal wild meat and wildlife trade. Underlying these threats, the drivers of human inequities and challenges deplete natural resources and expand unsustainable land-use practices. In response, JGI’s Landscape Conservation in Western Tanzania (LCWT) project uses JGI’s Tacare community-led conservation approach to support and work in partnership with local communities to tackle the drivers of these challenges. This in turn protects endangered chimpanzee populations and safeguards their habitat through effective land-use planning,…