Nestled in the heart of Africa, Uganda is a land of breathtaking beauty — a place where misty mountains meet lush forests, full of life. Often known as “the pearl of Africa,” it is not only a treasure trove of natural wonders but is also home to a vibrant Jane Goodall Institute team whose transformative work is making a lasting impact. This dedicated team is creating history and demonstrating hope in action through countless lives every day.
I recently had the privilege of visiting my colleagues in Uganda, and what I witnessed was incredible. From the conservation of great apes to reforestation efforts and groundbreaking environmental youth programs, the dedication of the Jane Goodall Institute team and its partners is truly inspiring.
During our time together we traveled through the country, visiting multiple national parks and meeting with a variety of partners. The thread that ran through every meeting, every conversation, was a shared commitment to preserving what makes Uganda so special: its extraordinary natural beauty.
One of the most memorable moments of our journey was along Uganda’s western border, where we met with park officials working to protect the remarkable biodiversity in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Founded as a national park in 1991, Bwindi is a success story of international collaboration. The park stretches across three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Famous for its population of mountain gorillas, which are a major draw for international tourists, Bwindi is also home to a lesser known, but equally important, large population of wild chimpanzees.
In 2023, the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda was instrumental in uniting a coalition of conservation organizations and government ministries to adopt the National Chimpanzee Conservation Strategy. One of the most exciting milestones of this effort will come in January 2025 when a wild chimpanzee survey will take place for the first-time in Bwindi. This census will establish critical baseline data, informing integrated conservation strategies and promoting the protection of chimpanzees among the public and tourism industry. Because, as Dr. Jane Goodall says, “people protect what they love and love what they know.”
Throughout our travels, we were reminded of what Jane calls “the tapestry of life” — this profound interconnectedness between humans and the environment, where the lines between the “natural world” and the “human-made world” begin to blur. We witnessed firsthand how sustainable practices, like permaculture, allow both natural and agricultural landscapes to flourish. By carefully managing the land, we can nourish communities and foster rich biodiversity, supporting animals, plants, and insects in harmony.
The power of nature’s regeneration was on full display in the reforestation projects led by the Jane Goodall Institute. I had the privilege of visiting our reforestation sites, where local forest monitors are ensuring the indigenous trees planted are thriving and restoring the delicate balance of diverse plant species in equatorial forests. Each tree sapling is geo-tagged to track their progress — and I was happy to see that the tree I planted last year has grown nearly as tall as I am! It is truly a symbol of nature’s incredible resilience.
And when hope feels distant, it is the young people of Uganda who remind us of the boundless potential within us all. The Roots & Shoots program in Uganda has blossomed, now reaching over 10,000 young people across the country. From urban to rural areas, from schools to community clubs, these young changemakers are tackling everything from school vegetable gardens to women’s health and reforestation. I was fortunate enough to meet many of these students, and their passion and innovation were truly inspiring. Each project, each initiative, is a testament to the power of creativity and determination. These Roots & Shoots members demonstrate what we like to say, “together we can together we will, and together we must change the world!”
(Above left) Anna Rathmann meeting with students at Ruteete Primary School in Kagadi District, Uganda. These students are part of the Girls Empowerment Program, funded by Dr Schol, JGI Austria, Australia, Switzerland, France and UK, and John Templeton.
Inspired by our founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, The Jane Goodall Institute’s approach to conservation is grounded in curiosity, humility, and an unwavering belief in the power of individuals to make a difference — as Jane says, “every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, and every individual makes a difference.” In Uganda, the complexity of the “tapestry of life” is a story we are dedicated to preserving for generations to come — so that future generations may continue to marvel at the wonders of “the pearl of Africa.”
