Dr. Jane Goodall, a renowned scientist and climate activist who devoted her life to protecting chimpanzees, passed away October 1, 2025.  Her legacy will echo in science, conservation, and through the inspired youth. 

Jane Goodall was born in London April 3, 1934. From a young age, she had a passion for animals and learning about animal behavior. In 1957, Goodall visited a friend’s farm in Kenya. There she met Dr. Louis Leakey, a scientist researching evolution and human development through chimpanzees. At this time, Dr. Leakey had been looking for someone to begin a study on chimpanzees. Through Goodall, he saw a fresh perspective that could be applied to the study. This began as a 6-month expedition and turned into a 26 year-long career.

In 1960, she set off on her expedition into the Gombe forest in Tanzania. There she immersed herself into the chimpanzee habitat, where she experienced their society as a neighbor, rather than an observer. Through this unorthodox approach, she began to understand the complex minds and personalities of chimps. Her research in Gombe revolutionized the field of primatology (the scientific study of primates–humans, monkeys, apes, etc.) With her observations of chimpanzees, she changed the world’s view towards nature and our role in it.

After her time in Gombe, Jane realized how many other animals were in danger of extinction. She pivoted from field research and devoted the rest of her life to climate activism and conservation. She expanded the impact of her activism by co-founding the Jane Goodall Institute for wildlife research, where they now work to understand and protect chimpanzee habitats. A branch of the institute is the Roots and Shoots program, which aims to empower youth to make change in their communities. 

 Jane authored more than 30 books, many of which have received honors. She wrote autobiographies and overviews of her work in the Gombe forest. She was able to enlighten the world on the complexities of our closest living relatives, chimpanzees. Won numerous awards: Templeton Prize (2021), Stephen Hawking Medal of freedom for science communication (2022), and The Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025). She was created Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) 2003 and became a UN Messenger of Peace (2002).

Jane Goodall is survived by her son, Hugo van Lawick, and her three grandchildren. 

Thanks to Dr. Jane Goodall, her empathy towards animals inspired global compassion to our environment and animals. Her work has inspired many young women and youth to join the field of primatology and will continue to inspire many to come. In Jane Goodall’s words, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”