Remembering Jane Goodall: A Life of Curiosity, Compassion & Change
- Dr Joe Giordano
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Featured Image source: Jane Goodall Institute / via Asli Han Gedik on LinkedIn
It is with deep respect and sadness that we mark the passing of Dame Jane Goodall (3 April 1934 – 1 October 2025), a titan of conservation, a scientific pioneer, and an enduring source of inspiration for all who care about our planet’s future.
A pioneer in understanding wildlife
Dame Jane Goodall dedicated more than six decades of her life to studying and protecting wildlife. Her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania, redefined what it means to understand and respect the natural world.
When she first entered the forest in 1960 with nothing but a notebook and a pair of binoculars, few could have predicted that her observations would alter the course of scientific history. She was the first to document chimpanzees using tools, a discovery that changed how humanity views its connection to other species.
But beyond science, Jane brought something revolutionary to conservation — empathy. She refused to treat animals as data points and instead saw them as individuals, with personalities, emotions, and family bonds. That perspective shifted public consciousness and inspired an entirely new era of wildlife protection.
From scientist to global advocate
Jane’s mission grew far beyond the forests of Gombe. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which continues her work today in over 30 countries, supporting conservation, education, and sustainable livelihoods.
In 1991, she launched Roots & Shoots, a youth-led movement encouraging young people to take action in their communities for animals, people, and the environment. What began as a small group of Tanzanian students has grown into a global network spanning more than 60 countries.
Her approach to conservation recognised a truth many still overlook — that protecting wildlife is inseparable from supporting people. By working with local communities, she created models of coexistence that proved lasting change requires compassion as much as science.
A voice for change
Jane Goodall’s influence extended to the global stage. She became a United Nations Messenger of Peace, earned countless awards, including the Kyoto Prize and the Benjamin Franklin Medal, and was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to conservation.
Until her final days, she continued to travel and speak, spreading a message of hope, unity, and personal responsibility, urging every individual to make choices that help heal the planet.
Top left Image source: "Jane Goodall visits United States Mission Uganda on 4 April 2022 - 5 (cropped)" by U.S. Mission Uganda is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Top middle Image source: "Jane Goodall" by www.sommer-in-hamburg.de is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Top right image source: "Jane Goodall" by whiteafrican is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Bottom left image source: "2018.05.18. Európai gondolkodók–Jane Goodall" by Európa Pont is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Bottom middle image source: "File:JaneGoodallOct10.jpg" by Nick Stepowyj at https://www.flickr.com/people/nickstep/ is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Bottom right image source: "Dr. Jane Goodall and AA/S Judy Garber" by U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Oceans, Envir is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
A lasting inspiration
For organisations like SAVSIM CIC, Jane’s life stands as a guiding example. Her belief that conservation must be collaborative, that it must empower people while protecting wildlife, aligns with everything we stand for. Her vision lives on through the countless lives she touched and the generations she inspired to care more deeply for the natural world.
Jane Goodall showed us that one person’s voice can echo across continents, shaping how humanity values life itself.
Her legacy reminds us all: compassion is not a weakness - it is the foundation of lasting change.
Tribute from SAVSIM CIC and a Personal Note from Joe
As CEO and Co-Founder of SAVSIM CIC, Jane Goodall has long been a guiding light for our work in wildlife protection, habitat conservation, and motivating a new generation to act. Her brilliance, compassion, and tenacity have shaped the very fabric of conservation efforts globally.
To Jane’s family, friends, and the community she leaves behind, our thoughts and respect go out to you.
On behalf of all the animals she advocated for and the ecosystems she helped safeguard: thank you, Jane Goodall. Your life was a gift to the world, and your legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.
May we honour her memory by redoubling our efforts in conservation, by protecting species and habitats, and by remembering that one life, lived with passion and purpose, can change everything.
Joe Giordano
CEO & Co-Founder, SAVSIM CIC
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