The Jane Goodall Institute

We are The Jane Goodall Institute, and our story is one of science, compassion, and a growing circle of hope. Our journey began with the work of our founder, Dr. Jane Goodall. In the forests of what is now Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, she began her groundbreaking research with wild chimpanzees. Her patient observation revealed their complex social lives, their ability to make and use tools, and their individual personalities. This work forever changed how humanity viewed not only chimpanzees, but the entire animal kingdom. As she learned more about these incredible beings, she also saw the threats they faced. To protect the chimpanzees and their precious forest homes, Dr. Goodall created us in 1977. Our initial mission was born directly from this research: to ensure the long-term protection of chimpanzees and their habitats, and to continue the important scientific work that helped the world understand them.

As our work in Gombe continued, we learned a vital lesson: you cannot protect a species by itself. The health of the chimpanzee populations was deeply connected to the health of the forest, and the health of the forest was connected to the lives of the people who lived nearby. We realized that we couldn't succeed in saving chimpanzees without also helping the local communities and protecting the environment that we all depend on. This understanding led to a natural and necessary expansion of our mission. It was no longer just about the animals; it was about the entire ecosystem, including humans. This wider view shaped the future of our organization and led us to develop a more holistic approach to conservation.

This new approach is called community-centered conservation, and it is at the heart of much of our work today. We partner with local villages to develop sustainable living projects that improve people's lives while also protecting the environment. By working together, we help communities gain access to better education, health care, and environmentally friendly ways to support their families. This approach empowers people to become partners in conservation. At the same time, we had to address the direct threats to chimpanzees. The illegal commercial bushmeat and pet trades were devastating chimpanzee populations, often leaving infant chimpanzees orphaned. To provide them with a second chance at life, we established sanctuaries. Our Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of the Congo is one of the largest, providing a safe haven where orphaned chimpanzees can receive care and live in large, forested enclosures with others of their kind.

We also knew that creating lasting change meant inspiring the next generation. Our founder has always believed in the power of young people to change the world. This belief became a reality in 1991 when we started our global youth program, Roots & Shoots. The program began simply, with a small group of high school students in Tanzania who gathered with Dr. Goodall to discuss the environmental and social problems they saw in their community. They were eager to take action, and from that meeting, a global movement was born. Roots & Shoots was designed to empower young people to make a positive impact by leading projects that they design themselves.

The program encourages members to create projects that help in three interconnected areas: people, other animals, and the environment. This simple framework allows young people to identify the specific needs of their own communities and turn their ideas into action. From its humble beginnings with just a handful of students, Roots & Shoots has grown into a powerful force for good. Today, it includes hundreds of thousands of young people in countries all around the world. They are cleaning up rivers, planting trees, helping the homeless, and caring for animals, proving that every individual can make a difference.

Today, we are a global organization with offices and programs spread across the world, but our core mission remains rooted in the lessons learned at Gombe. We have embraced modern science and technology to make our work more effective. For example, we use tools like satellite imagery and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to monitor forest health and track deforestation. This allows us to see where habitats are most at risk and work with local partners on the ground to protect them. These advanced technologies supplement, but do not replace, our fundamental work.

We continue to support the pioneering research at Gombe, which is now one of the longest-running studies of any animal species in the wild. We also work to end the illegal wildlife trade that threatens chimpanzees and so many other species with extinction. Everything we do, from community-centered conservation and youth education to science and advocacy, is connected. Our main goal is to carry on Jane's legacy by inspiring each person to recognize their role in creating a better world. We believe that when we work together with hope and determination, we can achieve a future where people, other animals, and the environment live in harmony.