Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall passed away on October 1st. She was scheduled to attend an event at the EF Academy in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, and give a speech, but unfortunately, she passed away due to natural causes on the same day.
Jane Goodall had prepared to announce a student-led initiative at the Pasadena event to plant 5,000 trees in the fire-stricken areas of Palisades and Altadena communities in Los Angeles within the next 3-5 years. This initiative, known as “Tree Dreams,” was a collaboration among EF Academy in Pasadena, Saint Mark’s School in Altadena, and dozens of other schools, aiming to continue the tree planting activities even after Goodall’s passing.
Margarita Pagliai, principal of Saint Monica’s Seven Arrows Elementary School and Little Dolphins Kindergarten, a close partner of Goodall, expressed shock at the news of her passing. Pagliai was supposed to introduce Goodall at the tree planting event and mentioned that Goodall did not want tears but wanted everyone to remember that she would always be with them.
In her statement prior to the event, Goodall emphasized that the “Tree Dreams” movement symbolized the best achievements that young people could attain by coming together with courage and compassion. By planting trees, they were helping to restore ecosystems, address climate change, and bring healing to communities in need.
Another speaking engagement of Goodall was scheduled at the Royce Hall in UCLA on Friday as part of her American speaking tour. Described as a relentless advocate for the protection and restoration of the natural world, she profoundly impacted the field of animal behavior studies with groundbreaking discoveries.
Throughout her life, Goodall dedicated herself to the conservation of endangered species, most notably her work with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Tanzania during the 1960s. Despite facing initial challenges, she gained the trust of the chimpanzee community, becoming the only human accepted by them.
Goodall’s interest in animal observation stemmed from her childhood, where she received a chimpanzee plush toy from her father, which remained her most cherished possession. Her mother noted that Goodall’s curiosity, focus, and perseverance led her to become an expert in primate research.
In 1977, Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute, supporting research in Gombe Park and becoming a global leader in chimpanzee and habitat conservation efforts. She later founded the grassroots organization “Roots & Shoots” with Tanzanian students in 1991, focusing on environmental protection and empowering youth to drive positive change in communities globally.
Jane Goodall received numerous civilian honors from countries such as the UK, France, Japan, and Tanzania. She was appointed a UN Messenger of Peace, received the prestigious Templeton Prize in 2021, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden in January 2025.
Identified as a Christian since childhood, Goodall shared her belief in a higher spiritual power, especially in nature, where she felt a strong connection that transcended human capability. Her legacy as a pioneering primatologist and environmentalist will continue to inspire generations to come.