Dr. Jane Goodall’s legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the hearts she inspired, and the action she sparked to protect wildlife and nature. Her message of hope and action continues to resonate, reminding us that each of us has the power to make a difference in the world.

For Jane, hope was not just an emotion, but a call to transform it into tangible efforts for the planet. She worked tirelessly until her last moments to inspire us all to protect nature and wildlife. Through the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), her mission endures — a commitment to a science-driven, integrated approach to preserving a healthy planet where people live compassionately, sustainably, and in harmony with the environment and all living beings.

Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking discovery that chimpanzees use tools redefined both science and our understanding of mankind’s place in the animal kingdom. Her research lives on at the Gombe Stream Research Center, where 65 years of continuous wild chimpanzee research continues.

Jane also led the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa, where over 150 rescued chimpanzees and other species receive world-class care. Her passion for animal welfare was unwavering, believing that all animals, regardless of species, deserve compassion and respect.

In response to the growing threats faced by chimpanzees, Jane’s focus shifted to advocacy, and in 1994, she launched Tacare — a community-led conservation approach now used in over 100 villages in chimpanzee habitats. Most notably, Tacare helped restore the forests surrounding Gombe in Western Tanzania, where Jane’s groundbreaking research first began.

But perhaps most of all, Jane believed in the power of young people to drive positive change. In 1991, she founded Roots & Shoots, a youth program now active in 75 countries that empowers young people to become compassionate citizens and environmental stewards. Jane often said that beyond her research, she wanted to be remembered for the work done through Roots & Shoots — the movement that continues to inspire and lead the way toward a sustainable future.

As we remember Jane today and every day, we hold close her words: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”