In tribute to Dame Jane Goodall, a conservation legend
Today, we pay tribute to conservation hero Dame Jane Goodall (1934‑2025).
“Hope is often misunderstood. People tend to think that it is simply passive wishful thinking: I hope something will happen but I’m not going to do anything about it. This is indeed the opposite of real hope, which requires action and engagement.”
Dame Jane Goodall
The world has lost the extraordinary Dame Jane Goodall (1934-2025). There are many great heroes in our conservation movement, mostly unsung. But then there are individuals of such profound humanity, insight and impact that they become a household name and a global inspiration. Jane Goodall was one such figure.
Martin Harper, our CEO, speaks for us all:
“Jane Goodall was a remarkable woman who lived an extraordinary life. Through her work, she taught us all to think differently about how our species should coexist with the millions of other species on this planet. She will be sorely missed but her work will live on through the millions of people she inspired. The thing I loved most about her was her incredible public speaking – so quiet, but so powerful. It was a privilege to see her action. “
Dr Mike Rands, Chair of BirdLife’s Global Council and Master of Darwin College, University of Cambridge, reflects on the loss:
“Jane Goodall was elected as an Honorary Fellow of Darwin in 2019 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to ethology and nature conservation. She was an extraordinary field scientist, naturalist and passionate advocate for the protection of the natural world. I got to know her when she visited the Cambridge Conservation Initiative to deliver a keynote speech at our Earth Optimism event in 2017.
She was a deeply inspiring individual with a remarkable ability to combine a deep commitment to science with a real passion for nature. Her legacy lives on in the Jane Goodall Institute, but she will be deeply missed – the world has lost an uncompromising, passionate voice for nature. Our thoughts are with her family and worldwide network of friends and young conservationists she did so much to inspire and support.”
