Book speaker Jane Goodall ventured into the Gombe Forest when the world did not know much about chimpanzees. She used an unconventional way of conducting her research. Jane integrated herself into the chimpanzees’ environment and lifestyle in order to fully understand their complex society. This approach allowed Jane to gain a better understanding of the chimpanzees as individuals with feelings.

Goodall’s finding in 1960, demonstrating that chimpanzees can create and utilize tools, is one of the most important scientific discoveries of the twentieth century. Our perception of chimpanzees has been revolutionized as a result of speaker Jane Goodall Gombes’ field study. The study has also reshaped the relationship between people and animals in ways that have spread worldwide.

As she progressed through her career to become the world’s foremost primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall challenged traditional conservation practices. In 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute. This served to promote the study in Gombe and increase the safeguarding of chimpanzees in their natural surroundings. She re-imagined traditional conservation in a way that acknowledges humans’ critical role in the welfare of animals and their environments. After seeing how worried a group of young people were, Jane urged them to join her in co-founding Roots & Shoots. This international initiative works with young people in more than 100 countries to develop the informed generation of conservation leaders that our planet so desperately needs.

A bronze sculpture of Goodall, along with nine other women, was unveiled in midtown Manhattan in August 2019 to commemorate her scientific achievements. In 2020, Goodall pledged to plant 5 million trees as part of the 1 trillion tree project launched by the World Economic Forum. In 2021, Goodall and more than 140 other scientists, urged the EU Commission to eliminate the confinement of farm animals.

At present, Dr. Jane Goodall travels all over the world, speaking, writing, and providing hope. She inspires people to make this planet a much better place to live. Jane has become a worldwide leader of compassion and a United Nations Messenger of Peace.