Author: Kira Leinwand

Across the globe, JGI mourns Jane’s passing. Here are some of the ways that we have chosen to celebrate our beloved founder.

Our insights into Gombe’s unique ecosystem would not be possible without the dedicated scientists at JGI’s Gombe Stream Research Center. Over the past 65 years over 200 researchers and field assistants have conducted research in Gombe, including generations of local Tanzanian scientists, long-term university partners, and more.  Their stories are what bring Gombe to life, so we asked several of these Gombe scientists to share their stories with us. 

How do you capture the wonder of 65 years of ongoing studies? Learn what has inspired researchers throughout their connection to Gombe.

As the longest-running study of wild chimpanzees in the world, Gombe unlocks new insight into our closest living relatives with each year that passes. We are learning more than ever about the importance of social bonds, the effect of parental care on infant development, and our own evolutionary history. 

At its heart, Roots & Shoots is about the power of individuals — both the young and the young at heart — to create change. After all, as Dr. Jane Goodall has said many times, “every individual can make a difference.” But Roots & Shoots is also about finding community among these individuals and creating greater impact with shared support. That’s why Roots & Shoots USA continues to grow and strengthen our network of changemakers, including our Roots & Shoots Youth Council! 🔗 Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA (RSYC) is a group of passionate young leaders from…

What does it take to give a chimpanzee a truly safe and fulfilling life in human care? At the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), we’ve spent decades answering that question — not just through groundbreaking research in the wild, but also by setting gold standards for the ethical care of primates in sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers around the world. With their complex physical, emotional, and social needs, rescued and captive chimpanzees require considerable support to ensure that they thrive. We sat down with JGI’s Vice President of Africa Programs Alice Macharia — who works closely with our animal care experts, including…

Jane believes that every small action adds up to a big impact. For her birthday, here are a few ways to truly celebrate Jane by taking action in your community! Jane Goodall is turning 91 on April 3, 2025, and we want to celebrate this major birthday with you! Jane is lucky enough to have an amazing group of supporters who want to help her celebrate with cake and gifts, but the best gift you can give Jane is your promise to help her make a positive difference for people, other animals, and the planet we share. In honor…

Happy New Year!  Here at the Jane Goodall Institue, we’re starting 2025 with a renewed resolve to make the world a better place. In keeping with Jane’s belief that every individual action can make a big difference, we’ve made a few conservation-minded New Year’s resolutions of our own — join us!  1. EXPLORE PLANT-BASED RECIPES With #veganuary making its annual return to social media, you may have already heard the many benefits of going plant-based for your personal health, the well-being of non-human animals, and the protection of our planet. If drastic changes in what you eat seem overwhelming, remember…

With help from photovoice training, a method which pairs photography and narratives to document community needs and resources, the Jane Goodall Institute is sending out roots (and shoots) of compassionate storytelling through our global network! Dr. Jane Goodall began Roots & Shoots when a small group of students came up to her front porch in Tanzania and told her how they were worried about the problems in their communities. They shared that they felt helpless, and like they inherited so many problems that they could do nothing about. Jane encouraged them to start small, with the issues that immediately impacted…

An update from our 2023 annual report. Before she was a global icon, before she was a scientist, Dr. Jane Goodall was first and foremost a lover of animals. Her belief in the sentience and sapience of non-human animals — including one of her greatest teachers, a dog named Rusty — motivated her passions from a young age. The Jane Goodall Institute is proud to continue in this spirit through our work today. Chimpanzees are our flagship species — their status in the wild guides our investments, and we support the entire tapestry of life that makes up their ecosystem. …