When a young Jane Goodall first set foot in the forests of Tanzania at age 26, notebook in hand and heart wide open, she could never have imagined how that moment would ripple out to change the world. What began as quiet observation of chimpanzees — noticing not just their behavior, but their emotions, their relationships, their tools — grew into a legacy that inspired millions to see nature not as separate from us, but as part of us.
Like the hummingbird in the famed story, Jane showed that even the smallest actions matter. One drop at a time, she transformed our understanding of animals, conservation, and even ourselves.
When she passed peacefully on October 1, 2025—still out speaking passionately for her beloved chimps at 91—she left behind a legacy of quiet conviction and lasting inspiration. Jane’s influence on chimpanzee conservation and, more broadly, on environmental consciousness became a light for millions. Her strength was never in dominance, but in gentleness. She stayed with the earth, connected deeply with people, and reminded us that whatever we do makes a difference.
Her work with chimpanzees revealed their use of tools, their emotions, and the deep relationships they formed—discoveries that reshaped how we see ourselves: not superior to nature, but intertwined with it.
Before Jane’s passing, she shared one last message for the ages—a reminder of what truly matters:
“Each and every one of you has a role to play. You may not know it. You may not find it. But your life matters, and you are here for a reason. … Every single day you live, you make a difference in the world, and you get to choose the difference that you make. … If you want to save what is still beautiful in this world, if you want to save the planet for future generations, then think about the actions you take each day. Because multiplied a million, a billion times, even small actions will make for great change.”
This speaks to the heart of our work at Daughters for Earth: To make it clear that we can transform the world, and that the journey begins with one drop, one action, one person who dares to care.
As Jane often said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Legacy That Lives On
Jane’s legacy lives vividly in the global Roots & Shoots youth movement she founded. In more than 65 countries, young change-makers clean rivers, plant trees, and advocate for wildlife.
Her philosophy was simple yet radical: nature is resilient. Given time, care, and the collective will of millions, even the most damaged places can heal. She urged us to see animals, ecosystems, and ourselves as parts of a single web of life.
Even in her later years, Jane remained tireless — traveling hundreds of days a year, weaving storytelling and science together to remind the world that hope is a verb.
Ripples of Change
Jane’s message to all of us was simple but powerful: real change begins with everyday choices. Here are a few ways you can honor her legacy and keep her ripples moving forward:
- Choose consciously: Consider what you buy, eat, and support.
- Speak with compassion: Let your words inspire awareness and action.
- Support youth-led action: Empower the next generation to protect our planet, guiding them with the same curiosity and compassion that defined Jane’s life.
- Protect habitat: Help safeguard forests, rivers, and wildlife corridors. Start small! Plant a seed. Share Jane’s story, or donate to Roots & Shoots, Daughters for Earth, or another community project anywhere in the world.
- Be consistent: Small acts, repeated over time, become transformative.
