An update from our 2023 annual report.
Hope is a transformative force. At her core, Dr. Jane Goodall believes that hope inspires action, and in turn, inspires more hope — a virtuous circle in which, if every individual participates, the world fundamentally changes. Every program at the Jane Goodall Institute activates this ethos and inspires individuals worldwide to create a brighter, more sustainable future. There is so much that is worth saving — and that we can save, if we do not lose hope.
The Tapestry of Hope: Mapping Hope and Action
Community-led initiatives are making a difference every day, all around the world: Young people are taking action in their schools and neighborhoods. Scientists are developing innovative technologies to build a sustainable future. Nature is proving that, with a little help and protection, it can regenerate. There are so many stories to inspire positive action. That’s why we’ve reimagined the 🔗 Tapestry of Hope, an interactive mapping tool that shines a light on individual stories of positive change for a healthy planet. These are just a few examples of small actions leading to big change around the globe:
Canada: Students from Na’tsa’maht Indigenous Education Culture Club are restoring their local landscape. By learning about native-plant species and their cultural significance, and applying their learnings to their own native plant garden, members of this group are supporting native biodiversity and strengthening their relationship to the land and each other.
France: Students in several Roots & Shoots groups came together to work toward a common goal: removing human-generated trash from a nearby beach. By working together, they were able to clear and organize far more litter than they would have alone. Plus, they were able to learn about the local wildlife they were helping by removing dangerous waste from their habitat.
United Arab Emirates: Dedicated members of the Abu Dhabi Homeschoolers Association are rescuing, fostering, and feeding stray cats. Through their care, cats in their community are on their way to finding their forever homes.
Uganda: A group of women are working intently to keep girls in school despite pressures to drop out due to stigmatization around menstruation. By creating reusable pads, they are helping ensure that girls can continue their education.
Read more stories of hope and even add your own! Explore the 🔗 Tapestry of Hope.
Uganda NGOs Align on Oil Extraction Standards
JGI is working with a coalition of conservation organizations to protect biodiversity and habitats, especially in areas impacted by oil extraction. In 2023, JGI helped unite the group to create clear standards for oil extraction that align with Ugandan national conservation policies. By coordinating their efforts and speaking with one voice, the coalition is better able to guide local decisions and ensure conservation priorities are integrated when oil projects are proposed, safeguarding great apes and their ecosystems.
Securing a Future for Uganda’s Chimpanzees
In 2023, JGI led a collaborative effort in developing Uganda’s first-ever National Chimpanzee Conservation Strategy. By convening government stakeholders — including the Uganda president and the first family, non- government organizations, research institutions, and local communities — we built a science-based strategy that formalizes a conservation approach to ensure long-term protection of the country’s natural resources and improve the well-being of the Ugandan people.
Where in the world was Jane in 2023?
Even in her 90th year, Dr. Jane Goodall visited 15 countries around the world. Through her travels, Jane spread her message of hope and resilience, inspiring countless individuals to take part in our collective action towards fostering a better future for our planet. In 2023, Jane traveled to 15 countries to spread hope:
- Tanzania
- United Kingdom
- Qatar
- United States
- The Netherlands Germany
- Canada
- Japan
- South Korea
- Uganda
- Brazil
- Spain
- France
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
P.S. Follow Jane’s upcoming engagements on our website: 🔗 Where in the world is Jane?
We have so many more stories to tell from this year! Explore our full 🔗 2023 annual report PDF to learn how JGI is using satellite imagery to visualize deforestation, view a map of Jane’s travels around the world, and meet some of our many other subject matter experts who represented JGI as a thought leader in conservation.
Photo credits, in order of appearance: Kaori Nishida, JGI Canada, Antoine Duhamel