Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and is among the world’s most renowned ethologists, a globally famous voice of nature and a long-time member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. In July 1960, at the age of 26, Dr Goodall travelled from England to what is today Tanzania and entered the little-known world of wild chimpanzees; equipped with nothing more than a notebook and a pair of binoculars.
But with her unyielding patience and characteristic optimism, she won the trust of these initially shy creatures. She managed to open a window into their lives that allowed the public to learn more about them and led to countless acts of conservation on their behalf. Dr Goodall continues to inspire action on behalf of endangered species through her personal work and the mission of the Jane Goodall Institute.
Founded in 1977, the Institute inspires hope through the collective action of community-centred conservation, the innovative use of science and technology, and the global Roots and Shoots program, which is active in more than 140 countries.