Lasting Legacy of Jane Goodall: A Look at the Influence on History

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Jane Goodall—a timeline of influence.

Jane Goodall is a renowned English primatologist, zoologist, and anthropologist, considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees. Since 1960, she has dedicated over 60 years to studying the social and family dynamics of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. Her groundbreaking research revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzee behavior, challenging previous assumptions about their tool use, social structures, and cognitive abilities. Beyond her scientific contributions, Goodall is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and animal welfare, inspiring generations to protect our planet and its inhabitants through her work with the Jane Goodall Institute.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1977: Establishment of Jane Goodall Institute

In 1977, Jane Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to support the Gombe research and protect chimpanzees and their habitats.

1991: Roots & Shoots Program Launch

In 1991, the Roots & Shoots program began when a group of 16 local teenagers met with Jane Goodall in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to discuss environmental and social issues.

1992: Foundation of Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre

In 1992, Jane Goodall founded the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre in the Republic of Congo to care for chimpanzees orphaned due to the bush-meat trade. The center houses over a hundred chimps on its three islands.

1994: Foundation of TACARE Project

In 1994, Jane Goodall founded the Lake Tanganyika Catchment Reforestation and Education (TACARE) pilot project to protect chimpanzees' habitat from deforestation by reforesting hills around Gombe and educating neighboring communities on sustainability and agriculture training.

1998: Presidency of Advocates for Animals

In 1998, Jane Goodall became the president of Advocates for Animals, an organization based in Edinburgh, Scotland, that campaigns against the use of animals in medical research, zoos, farming and sport. She resigned from the post in 2008

2000: Founding of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

In 2000, Jane Goodall and Professor Mark Bekoff founded the organization Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to ensure the safe and ethical treatment of animals during ethological studies.

April 2002: Named UN Messenger of Peace

In April 2002, Jane Goodall was designated as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, recognizing her extensive work in conservation and animal welfare.

2004: Devotion to Advocacy

As of 2004, Jane Goodall dedicated virtually all of her time to advocacy on behalf of chimpanzees and the environment, traveling nearly 300 days a year.

June 2006: Honorary Doctorate

On June 19, 2006, Jane Goodall was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by the Open University of Tanzania, recognizing her contributions to science and research.

2008: Lecture and Advocacy

In 2008, Jane Goodall gave a lecture entitled 'Reason for Hope' and demanded the European Union end the use of medical research on animals and ensure more funding for alternative methods of medical research.

2009: Publication of "The Inner World of Farm Animals"

In 2009, Jane Goodall wrote in 'The Inner World of Farm Animals' about the awareness and intelligence of farm animals and the need for respect and help.

The Inner World of Farm Animals: Their Amazing Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Capacities

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2010: Roots & Shoots Global Reach

By 2010, the Roots & Shoots program had expanded to over 10,000 groups in over 100 countries, demonstrating its global impact on youth-led conservation efforts.

2010: Benefit concert in Washington DC

In 2010, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds held a benefit concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC to commemorate "Gombe 50: a global celebration of Jane Goodall's pioneering chimpanzee research and inspiring vision for our future".

2010: Coalition for Chimpanzee Endangered Status

In 2010, Jane Goodall, through JGI, formed a coalition to petition for listing all chimpanzees as endangered. In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) accepted this rule.

March 2011: Archives Move to Duke University

On March 17, 2011, Duke University announced that the Jane Goodall archives would move to Duke, with Anne E. Pusey overseeing the collection. Pusey had previously managed the archives in Minnesota.

2011: Patron of Voiceless

In 2011, Jane Goodall became a patron of the Australian animal protection group Voiceless, advocating against factory farming and cruelty to animals.

2015: Chimpanzees Classified as Endangered

In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that they would accept the rule that all chimpanzees would be classified as endangered, thanks to Jane Goodall's petition with a number of organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

2017: Disneynature Ambassador

As of 2017, Jane Goodall is an ambassador for Disneynature, contributing to their conservation efforts.

2018: Partnership with Schmidt's Naturals

In 2018, Jane Goodall partnered with Michael Cammarata on natural product lines from Schmidt's Naturals. Five percent of every sale benefited the Jane Goodall Institute.

August 2019: Honoured with a bronze sculpture

In August 2019, Jane Goodall was honored with a bronze sculpture in Midtown Manhattan as part of the Statues for Equality project, recognizing her contributions to science alongside nine other women.

2019: Primatology Field Demographics

As of 2019, the field of primatology consists of almost an even distribution of men and women, in part thanks to Goodall and her encouragement of young women to join the field.

2019: Named one of Time's 100 most influential people

In 2019, Time magazine named Jane Goodall as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2020: Advocacy for ecocide to be an international crime and vow to plant 5 million trees

In 2020, Jane Goodall advocated for ecocide to be made an international crime. That same year, she pledged to plant 5 million trees as part of the 1 trillion tree initiative founded by the World Economic Forum.

2020: Partnership with Neptune Wellness Solutions

In 2020, Jane Goodall partnered with Michael Cammarata on natural product lines from Neptune Wellness Solutions. Five percent of every sale benefited the Jane Goodall Institute.

2021: Vegan Lifestyle and Cookbook

In 2021, Jane Goodall became a vegan and authored a cookbook titled 'Eat Meat Less', advocating for the diet for ethical, environmental, and health reasons.

#EATMEATLESS: Good for Animals, the Earth & All

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2021: Call to abolish caging of farm animals

In 2021, Jane Goodall called on the EU Commission to abolish the caging of farm animals.

March 2022: The Lego Group issues A Jane Goodall Tribute

On 3 March 2022, The Lego Group issued set number 40530, A Jane Goodall Tribute, depicting a Jane Goodall minifigure and three chimpanzees in an African forest scene in celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day.