My Hero and Friend, Jane Goodall

From postcards to picnics, my unforgettable moments with Dr Jane Goodall and ways to support her mission!

Happy 90th Birthday, Jane!

From my earliest days, I held deep admiration for Jane Goodall. Whenever I was asked about my heroes, I would promptly mention Jane Goodall (and my mom!). Imagine my astonishment when, one day in 1999, I opened my mailbox to find a postcard signed by Dr. Jane herself, expressing a desire to meet. In my teenage bewilderment, I never responded.

Fast forward to 2007, as a freelance camera operator, I received an urgent late-night call asking if I could film an event the next morning: Jane Goodall's keynote address. Overwhelmed with excitement, I rummaged through old mementos, finding that cherished postcard. The next day, as I stood inches away from Jane, tasked with fitting her lapel mic, the moment didn't feel right for introductions. My hands shook with nerves.

After her speech, I joined a throng of admirers surrounding Jane. I held back from the crowd when a woman noticed the postcard in my hand. It was Mary Lewis, Vice President of the Jane Goodall Institute. “Bear Boy," she exclaimed after reading the card. Jane was equally excited at my presence, “We’ve wondered about you all these years,” giving me a long embrace. I was invited to join them the following day for an animal blessing at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, a surreal invitation I never showed up for, unable to fathom the reality of it all. With Jane, I repeatedly hit an upper limit - it never really felt real.

Assuming it was a once-in-a-lifetime meeting, I was content until a year later when I received an unexpected call: Jane wished to meet in Sacramento. Thus began a series of remarkable encounters, from backstage meetings at sold-out talks in Berkeley to impromptu picnics. We discussed my documentary work on orangutans, her experiences befriending incarcerated folks at Pelican Bay, and the challenges of constant travel.

Every time I met Jane, I remained incredulous, yet deeply honored. Jane kept our connection going through written letters and emails, sharing reflections of her life on the road:

“My life has been such a crazy whirl of planes, lectures, meetings, more planes, hotels. Last year, being my 80th birthday year, was especially hectic – everyone wanted a bit of me. So many cakes, candles to blow out!” she wrote to me in 2015.

At some point, I learned a truth - Jane sent 500 letters a month to people just like me. She wanted young people to know, deeply, their power. She worked tirelessly to advocate for the natural world, with an unwavering belief in the potential of young people to enact positive change.

When I finally mustered the courage to share my manuscript, "Bear Boy," with her, Jane's enthusiastic response was beyond my wildest dreams. Not only did she read it, but she agreed to write the foreword—an endorsement that surpassed anything I thought was possible. She even joined me for the remote launch of the book!

In Bear Boy, I write, “Jane Goodall is my hero not because she appears on the cover of magazines, or that she publishes books, or because her films win awards. It’s because she has brought the jungle to us and has allowed us to see that everything is connected. She advocates for human prisoners and zoo animals. She has dedicated every waking hour to spreading her message of peace, equality, environmentalism, and animal rights. Most importantly, though, is her faith in young people and her belief in their power to create a better world.”

Jane embodies the true essence of grassroots activism. Her remarkable ability to cultivate and nurture connections, not just with me but with countless everyday individuals, is truly her greatest strength. Through her example, I've come to understand the profound importance of human connection and what it means to truly be seen and cared for. What impact a short email or a handwritten letter can have on someone. Over the years, she has remained the only person consistently curious about Bear Boy, the young activist within me dedicated to helping animals. It's an immense honor to have crossed paths with her and to witness the profound impact she has on people and the positive change they bring to our world.

To many more years and meaningful connections, Jane!

Here some ways you can honor Jane Goodall in her 90th year:

Flamingo Estate is celebrating Jane’s 90th with one of the rarest honeys on earth. The honey is harvested by Beekeepers using traditional methods, some of them traveling days to reach their hives. It’s part of the Jane Goodall Institute’s community-led conservation efforts, where local community members turned beekeepers collect Honey using traditional methods. Beekeeping helps these community members earn supplemental income, while also helping to protect sacred Tanzanian land.

Watch Jane The Movie, a documentary by director Brett Morgen. With over 100 hours of unseen footage from National Geographic's vault, it reveals the incredible journey of Jane Goodall. Backed by Philip Glass's iconic music, this film gives a personal look into her life and how she defied odds to become a true icon.

Share 'Me...Jane' with your kids. Crafted by fellow animal activist Patrick McDonnell, this beautifully illustrated and thought-provoking book offers a captivating introduction to Jane's inspiring story.

Explore the Family Toolkit from Jane's Roots and Shoots program for guidance and support in crafting community projects that align with your family's values. Its 4-Step Formula serves to empower young folks to explore their passions and transform them into meaningful projects. Taking action nurtures the development of compassion, fostering a deeper sense of self and purpose, all part of Jane’s mission to empower and celebrate young people!

Finally, if you're seeking to make a meaningful impact across people, animals, and the environment globally, look no further than the Jane Goodall Institute. By supporting her organization, you're joining a powerful movement dedicated to positive change worldwide and continuing Jane’s work for years to come!