In a world where humans tend to cause damage and destruction to our own planet that sustains life, it can be daunting to look at the future. However, there are people born to the world who are making room and teaching future generations to be brighter, happier, and better stewards of nature and the planet. One such person is Jane Goodall – thank you and Happy Birthday! The world would be a better place if we all tried to ape this incredible woman, primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist.
British born, Dame Jane Goodall is also the foremost expert on chimpanzees, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and the Roots & Shoots program. Did we mention she is the UN Messenger of Peace? Quite the impressive resume and legacy.
Goodall shared, “It is easy to be overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness as we look around the world. We are losing species at a terrible rate, the balance of nature is disturbed, and we are destroying our beautiful planet. We have fear about water supplies, where future energy will come from – and most recently the developed world has been mired in an economic crisis. But in spite of all this I do have hope. And my hope is based on four factors.”
When Goodall was 26 years old, she traveled to Tanzania where she met the most delightful and intriguing chimpanzees that share an uncanny resemblance to our own human race. With her patience and bravery, Goodall was able to connect with the species and plant a seed of love which has grown and been seen by people all around the world. She has changed people’s lives with her speeches, often bringing people to tears or close to. She delivers a message of great importance and hope to not only older people, but to the young people.
Goodall stated, “These four factors are the human brain’s capacity to figure out solutions, the indomitable human spirit, the resilience of nature, and the determination of young people.”
The Jane Goodall Institute and Foundation is a global nonprofit that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. The mission builds on Dr. Goodall’s scientific work and her humanitarian vision. Specifically, the goal is to improve global understanding, treatment, and preservation of great apes through research, public education and advocacy. As well as create a worldwide network of young people who have learned to care deeply for their human community, for all animals, the environment, and who will take responsible action to care for them.
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Goodall travels the world with her stuffed animal monkey and sidekick; Mr. H. She shares the story of Mr. H, “It all began in 1996 when Mr. H was given to me by the original Mr. H for my birthday by my great friend Gary Haun. Gary lost his eyesight when he was 25 years old in the U.S. Marines. He made up his mind that he would not allow his blindness to destroy his life. When Gary decided to learn magic, he was told he’d never really be much good without sight. But he became a very, very good magician.”
Animal Fair Media hopes that Jane Goodall and Mr. H have fun and get into some monkey business today – on her birthday!
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