Meet Dr Jane Goodall DBE
A British-born global conservation icon, ethologist, humanitarian and UN Messenger of Peace
A Curious Dreamer from London.
Born in London in April 1934, Jane Goodall’s fascination with animals began in early childhood. She sketched birds, watched earthworms, observed insects, and dreamed of living in Africa. At just 8 years old, after reading Tarzan of the Apes, she declared she’d go to Africa “to live with wild animals and write books about them” - a dream many dismissed, but she never let go.
With little more than determination, a notebook, and her stuffed toy chimpanzee Jubilee, Jane’s journey began. She had no formal science degree when, in 1960, she set off to Gombe Stream National Park in what is now Tanzania. What she achieved would transform science…and the world.
Into the Wild at 26.
In July 1960, with no formal scientific background and only her mother for company, Jane arrived at Gombe Stream National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. At the time, it was almost unheard of for a young woman, especially one without a degree, to lead a research project in the field. But Jane had something else: deep patience, quiet determination, and an unmatched instinct for observation.
She spent her days with a pair of binoculars, a notebook, and a hope that the chimpanzees might one day accept her. For months, she rose before sunrise, hiked into the hills alone, and observed from a distance. Slowly, painstakingly, she was rewarded. One day, a chimpanzee she called David Greybeard approached her, and everything changed.
That moment marked the beginning of a relationship built on mutual trust and respect. It also laid the foundation for one of the most important studies of animal behaviour in history - led not by a traditional academic, but by a young woman with a dream, a quiet presence, and an extraordinary ability to see what others had missed.
Redefining What It Means to Be Human.
When Dr. Jane Goodall ventured into the forests of Gombe, few could have predicted she would change science forever. Mentored by famed palaeontologist Dr. Louis Leakey, what she discovered would shake the foundations of biology and anthropology.
🧠 Jane was the first to observe chimpanzees not only using tools, but making them. She watched as a chimp carefully stripped a blade of grass and used it to fish termites from a mound. Until that moment, tool-making was thought to be a uniquely human trait.
When Leakey heard of Jane’s discovery, he famously wrote:
“Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man,’ or accept chimpanzees as human.”
🌍 Her groundbreaking work didn’t stop there. Jane documented chimpanzees showing emotions once believed to be uniquely human: grief, joy, play, rivalry, friendship and even war. She gave the chimps names instead of numbers, empathised with their stories, and in doing so, challenged the cold objectivity of science.
🎓 In 1965, without a formal undergraduate degree, she earned a PhD in ethology from Cambridge University, one of the few people in history to do so. Her courage and insight redefined the boundary between us and them.
From Observation to Global Action.
Jane’s work evolved far beyond the forests of Gombe. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), combining research with a powerful new vision: that protecting animals must include supporting the people who live alongside them.
This philosophy became the TACARE programme, launched in Tanzania in 1994, a holistic model that improves community health, education, food security and livelihoods, all while promoting conservation. It is now replicated around the world.
Today, JGI has offices in 25 countries, including the Jane Goodall Institute UK, founded in 1988. Together, these offices work toward Jane’s mission of protecting wildlife, restoring habitats, and empowering young people.
Roots & Shoots: Young People Leading the Way.
In 1991, Jane met a group of Tanzanian students who felt hopeless about the future of the planet. That conversation sparked Roots & Shoots, a youth-led programme that now spans 75+ countries, including the UK.
Roots & Shoots gives young people the tools, platform and inspiration to lead projects that help people, animals, and the environment. In classrooms, gardens, and communities across the UK, Jane’s message of hope is taking root in the next generation.
A Voice Heard Around the World.
Even into her 90s, Jane continues to be one of the most influential voices in conservation. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, she travelled up to 300 days a year, speaking at schools, parliaments, conferences and music festivals—sharing stories, raising awareness, and inspiring millions.
During lockdown, she launched Virtual Jane from her family home in Bournemouth, delivering lectures, media interviews, and launching her hit podcast, The Jane Goodall Hopecast.
Her global reach now extends to over 5 million followers online. And yet, her message remains deeply personal: "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
Mr H and the Power of Hope.
If you’ve ever seen Jane speak, you may have noticed her constant companion: Mr H, a well-worn plush monkey with a story as inspiring as hers. He was gifted to Jane by Gary Haun, a blind magician who defied expectations to follow his dreams. Mr H has since travelled over a million miles with Jane, perched in her bag or by her side, from UN stages and global summits to village schools and community halls.
To Jane, Mr H is a symbol of resilience, optimism, and the power of believing in what’s possible. And now, you can share that message too.
🧸 Bring a little hope home: you can purchase your very own Mr H Junior soft toy from our online shop, with all proceeds supporting our work. He’s more than a toy - he’s a reminder that even the smallest among us can help change the world.
Awards and Recognition.
Jane Goodall’s impact has been recognised around the world. Her honours include:
She is also the subject of numerous films and documentaries, including the award-winning JANE (2017) and Jane Goodall: The Hope (2020). Her most recent book, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times (2021), continues to inspire readers worldwide.
Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) – UK
UN Messenger of Peace (2002) – United Nations
Templeton Prize (2021) – for combining science and spirituality
Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication (2022)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025) – USA
Plus over 100 global awards, honorary degrees and recognitions
Join Jane’s Journey.
Dr Jane Goodall’s mission lives on through JGI UK - and through people like you. Every school workshop, sanctuary supported, tree planted, and young mind inspired builds toward the future Jane imagined.
Together, we can honour her legacy - not by admiring from afar, but by taking action close to home.
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