In the dense, lush Tanzanian forests of Gombe National Park, a young Dr. Jane Goodall embarked on a journey that would shape her life’s work and inspire a global movement for conservation. As the Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, I am reminded daily of the profound impact that one individual can have on the world. Today, as we confront the complex challenges of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change, Dr. Goodall’s legacy serves as a guiding light, toward a more sustainable future.

Weaving the Tapestry of Life

Over 35 years ago after arriving in Gombe, Dr. Goodall had a transformative experience. As she flew in a plane over the forests of Gombe, Jane was shocked by what she saw. There was only a small oasis of green forest surrounded by bare, treeless hills that were once filled with miles of unbroken forest, Africa’s “equatorial forest belt”, when she first arrived.

It was clear that the land was overused by human activity leading to mass deforestation. Local people were cutting down the last of the forest in their desperate struggle to grow crops that would feed their families. The land was over-farmed, and soil was eroding. In that moment, Jane had a profound realization: we as humans are not separate from nature, but rather an integral part of it. Humans, wildlife, and our environment are all part of a tapestry of life. Our fate is intertwined with the fate of our natural world, and it is our moral imperative to protect them for future generations.

Jane’s philosophy of “when nature thrives, we all thrive,” has guided the work of her namesake Institute to view complex issues like biodiversity and habitat loss, human inequity, and apathy as interconnected. We view these issues as opportunities to bring people together across industry, sector, and identity to pursue science-based solutions that integrate the needs of people, other animals, and the environment in their communities.

Fostering Collective Action

The challenges we face are not confined to local communities or individual nations — they are global and require collective action on an unprecedented scale. Protecting biodiversity requires concerted efforts at the local, national, and international levels, as well as collaboration among governments, non-governmental organizations, and grassroots movements. Even when there is disagreement, collaboration is essential because we share mutual concerns as a global community.

By joining forces across borders and disciplines, we leverage resources, influence policy decisions, and mobilize support for conservation initiatives at the national and international levels. Dr. Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute firmly believe that solutions can only be achieved through collective action — as a global community, we amplify our impact, share best practices, and mobilize resources to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

Empowering Local Communities

At the Jane Goodall Institute, we believe that for our natural world to survive, human lives must be improved. That is why Jane’s conservation efforts focus on people — an approach we call Tacare (“to take care of”). Over the past four decades, the Jane Goodall Institute has worked hand in hand with local communities across Africa to develop strategies that improve their quality of life while protecting and restoring vital ecosystems. We work with local communities and governments to learn and understand their challenges. It is estimated that 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is held within indigenous territories, making it imperative to work in partnership with these communities — listening to their wisdom and knowledge and supporting their efforts to sustainably manage and protect their ancestral lands.

Through the Jane Goodall Institute’s participatory planning processes and advanced technology, we engage communities in land use planning to maintain and restore critical forest areas. As a result, communities have set aside village forest reserves that act as a buffer between the village and other protected areas to help restore watersheds and protect communities from landslides, flash floods, and soil erosion. Other villages have designated land for reforestation that will form continuous stretches of forest habitat enabling chimpanzees and other wildlife to migrate. In order to protect these forest areas, the Jane Goodall Institute partners with district governments and local communities to establish and train teams of village forest monitors to patrol these reserves.

Harnessing Technology for Conservation

Through the Jane Goodall Institute’s technology partners, village forest monitors collect data in a standardized way that is available to for use of JGI, our partners, and other district governments. As a result, over 6 million hectares of habitat in Africa are under improved management.

We help villages collect data, share threats facing forests, and map habitat sustainability and health. And from there we combine forest data from satellite imagery with field data and species distribution models to create actionable information for local decision makers. The Jane Goodall Institute and its partners are committed to unlocking the potential of technologies with local communities to achieve positive change for the entire tapestry of life.

Fostering the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards

It is also up to us to inspire younger generations to carry this vital work forward. Youth involvement is pivotal in shaping the trajectory of environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. Young people are one of Jane’s greatest reasons for hope. The Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program was founded on the principle that if young people engage with the issues in their own communities, it will forever change their consciousness of their role as citizens. Empowering young people to become active participants in the conservation movement not only harnesses their boundless energy and creativity but also ensures the continuity of our planet’s stewardship for generations to come.

Through education and opportunities for hands-on involvement, Roots & Shoots inspires a sense of responsibility and environmental consciousness in our future leaders. By amplifying the voices of youth and providing platforms for their ideas and initiatives, we can catalyze innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges and foster a sense of ownership and commitment to preserving our planet’s natural world.

Forging a Path Forward

As we confront the urgent challenges of conservation and biodiversity loss, the imperative for collective action and global cooperation has never been clearer. Institutional innovations and policy frameworks offer promising pathways for transformative change. By integrating conservation, climate, and environmental initiatives into government systems, empowering local communities, harnessing the power of technology, and inspiring our next generation of leaders, we can forge a sustainable and harmonious future for all life on Earth.

This transformative change demands a collective shift in consciousness and action. Each of us has a role to play in nurturing harmony between humanity and nature, whether through advocating for stronger environmental protections, supporting community-led conservation initiatives, or adopting more sustainable lifestyles. Together, we have the power to shape a world where every species thrives, and every ecosystem flourishes. Let us come together across borders and differences, united in our shared commitment to preserving the precious biodiversity that sustains life on our planet.

We must seize this moment and act with urgency and determination. The time for action is now, and the future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. Let us stand together in solidarity as stewards of a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.