EARTHDAY.ORG MOURNS THE LOSS OF A GLOBAL ICON FOR WILDLIFE AND THE EARTH – DR. JANE GOODALL

Washington, DC (October 1, 2025) – EARTHDAY.ORG (EDO) mourns the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall,  Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, who passed away today, October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. 

Dr. Goodall was a towering figure in conservation, a celebrated primatologist, and a passionate advocate for animal welfare. Over decades spent studying chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park, she transformed our understanding of this species and became the world’s foremost authority on their behavior and lives.

“Nothing but goodness and honesty and hopefulness came out of her amazing eyes,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG.  “Her work changed most of the world’s  view of animals, helping us understand that we were not the only smart, empathetic, loving creatures on the planet.   Scientists, animal lovers, people of faith and children everywhere owe her the deepest gratitude.” 

Born in Britain and raised in London and the seaside town of Bournemouth, Goodall was captivated by animals from an early age. At 10, inspired by the books Doctor Dolittle and Tarzan, she dreamed of a life in Africa among wildlife, a dream she would ultimately fulfill.

Goodall earned a PhD in ethology, the study of animal behavior, from the University of Cambridge, with her thesis focused on her first five years of research at the Gombe reserve.

In 1977, Goodall, together with Genevieve di San Faustino, established the Jane Goodall Institute. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with branches in 25 cities worldwide, the institute is dedicated to improving primate welfare through legal advocacy and public education.

Education remained close to her heart throughout her life. In 1991, she founded the Roots & Shoots program, a global initiative empowering youth—from preschoolers to university students—to engage in environmental, conservation, and humanitarian action.

“Dr. Goodall was passionate about the power of youth,” said Susan Bass, Senior Vice President, Programs & Operations, at EARTHDAY.ORG. “Her Roots & Shoots program is a global catalyst for youth education and activism, inspiring the next generation of conservationists and animal welfare advocates. Her influence on the conservation movement is immeasurable, and her loss incalculable.”

“She will be remembered throughout history. Losing her today feels especially painful in a world consumed by strife, retribution, and indifference, where devotion to money and self prevails. She stood for the very opposite: compassion, empathy, and a commitment to something greater than oneself.”

Kathleen Rogers, President, EARTHDAY.ORG

ABOUT EARTHDAY.ORG: EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day (1970), EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in over 190 countries to build environmental democracy. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. To learn more, please visit: EARTHDAY.ORG

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