Author: Kira Leinwand

Did you know Dr. Goodall’s favorite animal is actually dogs? It’s for good reason! In the Republic of the Congo and across the chimpanzee range, illegal wildlife trade is one of the biggest threats to wildlife and human communities. By using a “Triangle Approach” JGI is able to work with local law enforcement, increase environmental awareness and sustainable livelihoods, and support best-in-class sanctuary care for wildlife confiscated from the illegal trade. JGI’s sniffer dogs and trainers keep Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center and surrounding areas in the Republica of the Congo safe from dangers like the illegal wildlife trade, as well as…

It’s often said that when you fall off your bike, you must get right back on! But what if you don’t have the bike in the first place? Not everyone has access to the same opportunities, which is why one Roots & Shoots group in Dexter, Michigan, decided to get involved with their project, 🔗 Good Spokes!  It started when group leader—and Roots & Shoots Roots & Shoots Youth Council USA member—Everett Step 1: Got Inspired to create positive impactful change in the world. By keeping aware of global issues through traditional news and social media, he Step 2: Observed…

How do you save a species? Dr. Anne Savage has some ideas! Recently, conservationist, freelance writer, and friend of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), Bill Boteler, wrote an article for Conservation Careers on the inspiring work of Dr. Savage, who has been studying and trying to protect Colombia’s Cotton-top Tamarin for 40 years. He spoke to her about her story with this species, her successes and challenges, and ultimately, the necessity of community-led conservation in protecting the tamarin.  Dr. Savage started her journey with Cotton-top Tamarins in undergrad at the University of Wisconsin. She first learned about them from afar,…

June is here, and with it, the end of another school year and the beginning of summer vacation in the U.S.! While COVID-19 still represents a very real challenge, thanks to vaccinations many are returning to changemaking in person! One silver lining of the pandemic was the increase in animal adoptions as more people were able to be home with their new furry friends. In 2020, Shelter Animals Count recorded a pet adoption increase of about 15% compared to the year before! But now that people are leaving the house more often, there isn’t the same rush to adopt pets, which…

Though Earth Day has passed, May is a very special month to honor and protect all the incredible biodiversity we share this wonderful world with! With Endangered Species Day on May 20, International Day of Biodiversity on May 22 (plus World Otter Day on the 27th, and Leopard Day earlier this month) we wanted to highlight a project that focuses on protecting a very special endangered species, while getting out for some fresh air and exercise—it’s 🔗 Run for the Rhinos, out of Atlanta, Georgia!  This Roots & Shoots project began when group members were Step 1: Inspired by these…

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) USA’s Roots & Shoots youth program recently announced our exciting partnership with the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Northern New Mexico and across the U.S.! Since its creation in 1991, JGI’s Roots & Shoots program has been encouraging young changemakers all over the world to make a positive impact, starting in their own communities. However, young people in Indigenous communities across the United States are rarely given access to the same resources that other young people have, and have dealt with historic oppression and current barriers to success and connection to the natural…

Dr. Steve Ross, director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and dear friend of the Jane Goodall Institute passed away April 2021. He was a tremendous advocate for the wellbeing of chimpanzees everywhere, whether in captivity or in the wild, and his expertise, wisdom, and compassion have helped countless captive chimpanzees to thrive in their new sanctuary homes. Steve’s work has touched the lives of many humans as well, as he inspired others to join him in defending our great ape cousins. His many years of unfailing…

It’s officially springtime, which for many parts of the US means warmer weather, blooming plants, and the return of native wildlife! Not only do these animals bring a smile to our faces when we see them, but they play important roles in healthy ecosystems. Through pollination, seed dispersion, and other essential processes, native wildlife ensures that everything continues to grow and thrive! Unfortunately, habitat loss is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, which is why it is so important to give wildlife a helping hand. Luckily, you can create spaces for wildlife wherever you are, and April’s Root &…

March is Women’s History Month, and that means we’re celebrating all the inspiring women—like Dr. Jane Goodall—who blazed the trail into masculine-dominated fields, making it easier for more amazing women to follow in their footsteps! Four such fields are Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, also known collectively as STEM. Gender stereotypes and biases in many countries around the world often dissuade young women from following their interest in these fields, but with the right encouragement, these same young women could go on to change our understanding of the world, just like Dr. Jane! That’s why March’s project of the month…

Dr. Goodall is well-known for her remarkable ability to immerse herself in chimpanzee culture and life. Because of her compassion and observational skills, she was able to enter into their world in a remarkable way, providing one-of-a-kind insights. Her story, and her ability to tell their story, transformed our relationship to the rest of the animal kingdom. Someone else who has immersed himself in a similar way and share chimpanzee stories is Stany Nyadwi, a leading chimpanzee caregiver and the primate manager at JGI South Africa’s Chimp Eden sanctuary. Like Jane, his story is most certainly one of hope, but…