Celebrating Jane Goodall's Legacy
- Dean Weiss
- Dec 6
- 4 min read
When I heard the news that Dr. Jane Goodall passed away on October 1, 2025, I felt a loss, as though a wise grandmother of the Earth had passed away. Jane was dedicated to science and passionate about connecting with animals, young people, and our fragile planet.
A Life of Gentle Observation
Jane was never the loudest person in the room, but her presence carried weight. Early in her career, she journeyed to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, setting up humble camps and patiently observing chimpanzees for hours on end. She confidently uncovered unexpected discoveries: chimpanzees use tools, have personalities, and experience emotions. Her naming of individual chimpanzees (instead of numbering them) wasn’t just eccentric: it was a deeply empathetic act, a refusal to see them as mere data points. That empathy became the cornerstone of her work. She taught us that animals are part of our shared story. She said:
“If you care, you cannot give up. Hope is not passive — it’s about action.” She didn’t promise simple solutions, but she believed in the power of doing something, and not succumbing to despair.
More Than a Scientist — A Teacher and Messenger
Jane wasn’t satisfied just to observe. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute and later Roots & Shoots, programs that mobilised young people. She often spoke about how hope must lead to action. As she put it:
“My role in life is to give people hope, because if you run out of hope, we may as well give up.”
Through her words, her example, and her programs, she insisted that each one of us has a role to play, not just scientists or activists, but everyday people.
Jane Goodall's Legacy
Jane Goodall's legacy is both monumental and profoundly human, much like a warm, steady hand leading us forward. She transformed how we view chimpanzees, conservation, and our responsibility to the planet. Her pioneering research at Gombe Stream revealed that chimpanzees make tools, have complex social lives, and show empathy, challenging assumptions about human uniqueness. In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which today has offices in over 20 countries and works on chimpanzee protection, scientific research, and community-led conservation. Crucially, she believed that conservation cannot succeed without people. Her approach emphasized the empowerment of local communities and the protection of both wildlife and human wellbeing.
In 1991, she launched Roots & Shoots, a youth-driven global movement that now exists in dozens of countries, inspiring young people to take action for animals, people, and the environment. Her vision also extended to creating sanctuaries for orphaned chimpanzees and long-term field research that continues to this day at Gombe. Beyond her scientific and organisational achievements, Goodall was a relentless advocate: traveling the world, speaking passionately about environmental crises, animal welfare, and the power of hope. Ultimately, her greatest legacy may be the message she carried everywhere:
"Every individual has the power to make a difference".
A Voice of Hope: Leonardo DiCaprio’s Heartfelt Tribute
At her funeral on November 12, 2025, in Washington National Cathedral, Leonardo DiCaprio delivered a moving eulogy. He described Jane as “gentle, curious, funny, witty, and absolutely unstoppable.” He said:
“When most of us think about environmental issues, we tend to dwell on destruction and loss, but Jane led with hope, always. She never lingered in despair. She focused on what could be done. She reminded us that change begins with compassion, and that our humanity is our greatest tool.” His words echoed exactly what Jane lived by: a belief that our greatest strength is not technology, but kindness and empathy.
Her Final Call to Us
In her later years, Jane spoke increasingly about urgency. She believed we were nearing a critical turning point for our planet:
“We are at the mouth of a very long, dark tunnel And right at the end of that tunnel is a big, shining star. But it’s no good just sitting at the mouth of the tunnel. We’ve got to crawl under, climb over, work our way around these obstacles.”
That star she named was hope. Not passive wishful thinking, but a guiding light that demands action, through planting trees, restoring habitat, educating young people, and living more gently.
Jane Goodall's Vision for Us and Our Responsibilities
Jane Goodall’s life conveyed a message. She didn’t demand perfection from us, she encouraged us to care, to listen, and to take action. Her work demonstrated that the world is not beyond repair, but only if we maintain our hope.
In order to honour her memory, let's take steps to make a difference: plant a tree, guide a young person, support the protection of natural areas, or cherish the beauty around us. Uphold her legacy by continuing her message, because losing hope means losing everything.
If Jane taught us anything, it’s that our humanity and our compassion are our most powerful tools. Let us honour her legacy — protect, care, and act.
Sources:
6) mongabay jane goodall quotes – words from a reluctant global icon. news.mongabay.com - Search Images
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