Dr. Jane Goodall lived a life of curiosity, compassion, and caring for those who didn’t have a voice, but deserved one. Her scientific achievements were not only attained through perseverance and hard work, but also guided by an abiding love for animals. For this, she became a hero to many. She became a hero to me.
If you were influenced by Dr. Jane Goodall and the incredible legacy of kindness she left us, this post is just for you.
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How to Honor Dr. Jane Goodall
This post is in loving memory of Dr. Jane.
April 3, 1934-October 1, 2025
Dr. Goodall changed the perceptions many scientists conceived about chimps. They weren’t just a number to her, but individuals with feelings, personalities, and family connections. Her work with these magnificent creatures (who are SO much like humans) led to breakthroughs in animal protections and conservation, raised new generations of environmentalists, empowered women in science and other fields, and taught compassion for all living beings.
How extraordinary to traverse the planet when she did!
If your heart is breaking over losing such a gentle soul, you’re not alone. Dr. Jane was a mentor to many of us, whether we got the chance to meet her or not!
And if you feel like honoring her in a significant way, that’s amazing.
This list of ideas are ways that I’m guessing Dr. Goodall might like you to help the earth and animals, based on my own research and observation.
(And I’d love for you to share your ideas in the comments!)
This post is all about how to honor the memory of Dr. Jane Goodall and continue her beautiful legacy.
Ways to Celebrate the Life of Dr. Jane Goodall
Teach Kids About Kindness to Animals & Conservation
Photo by Kat Stano
True, kids are usually staring at their phones, but they’re also watching our every move. Kids are sneaky!
We can share a good example for them every day. And it doesn’t need to be some boring lecture they won’t listen to anyway!
- Read Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell. This is a great introduction to Jane for kids…and adults! I absolutely LOVE this children’s book.
- Explore nature together. Collect acorns, leaves, and pebbles. Talk about the cute critters and bugs you see.
- Visit an animal shelter to play with the dogs. Jane’s favorite animals were dogs!
- Read Bear Strong (written by me and illustrated by my husband!). It’s a true story about an incredible dog, Bear, who defeated all the odds. 100% of sales profits benefit the rescue who scooped him up and loved him. You will fall in love with Bear, too. It’s guaranteed.
- Help your child create a fundraiser for animals or ask for donations to a good organization instead of birthday presents.
- Write a story about why you love Jane. Or a poem.
- Model kindness to creatures: Take the spider outside. Say hello to frog passerby. Pet dogs with gentleness and a tender voice.
- Show kids how to compost, waste less, and buy responsibly.
- Check out Jane’s conservation program for young people: Roots and Shoots. Jane steadfastly believed in the power of young voices, their passion and energy to help animals, nature, and the world.
Be a Voice for Animals
Jane’s curiosity for animals and how they navigated the world is her legacy. Because of the wonder she held for all beings (along with a lot of hard work), Dr. Goodall literally changed minds and hearts.
- Sign petitions to protect animals’ rights. Start with:
- Vote for representatives who care about animals, the oceans, and our environment.
- Share shelter dogs on your socials who are in urgent need of finding fosters.
- Adopt from a pet shelter or rescue versus a breeder. (I didn’t know much about this for a long time. Now that I do, I see pet adoption much differently.)
- Donate old towels, sheets, and gently loved toys to your local dog shelter.
- Eat less meat to help more factory farm animals. (You might want to consult a nutritionist to find alternative ways to get enough protein and iron.)
- Try the Impossible Burger or mushroom burger the next time you’re at a restaurant.
- Support ethical farms who prioritize sustainability.
- Speak up when you see an animal in need.
- Set up a wildlife habitat in your yard. I share how I did mine here.
- Avoid events and places that use animals for entertainment: the circus, dog races, elephant rides, etc.
- Boycott businesses whose owners are trophy hunters. Finding this info is usually by word-of-mouth or through your own research.
- Buy cruelty-free makeup, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other products. Every time we say no to a product tested on animals, we speak up for these sentient beings. Let’s tell companies what we think with our dollars!
- Choose vegan clothing and accessories, skipping anything with wool, feathers, and animal leather. There are tons of better alternatives out there! I love Pixie Mood and Immaculate Vegan.
The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
provides a wonderful resource on ways to honor Jane.
Related Posts
Reason For Hope By Jane Goodall: How This Modern Hero For Nature Inspires Me
10 Ways Sustainability is About Seeing Things From A Different Perspective & Other Life Skills
Plant Seeds
Photo by Kat Stano
This means both literal seeds and acts of kindness!
- Plant a tree in Jane’s memory. Bless it with a kiss, and a wish that it grows tall and proudly sways beneath the stars.
- Create a garden of native flowers for pollinators.
- Give seeds and plants as gifts.
- Share extra plants from your garden with neighbors and friends.
- Join a community or neighborhood garden group.
- Leave the leaves in your yard, instead of raking up and disposing of them. Leaves are nutrients from and for the earth! They also protect pollinators. Let those curious neighbors know what you’re doing…maybe they’ll try it, too.
- Start small with easy peasy houseplants. Pothos are the easiest plants in the world and watching them grow will give anyone an appreciation for nature.
Do the Little Things
We can only control so much, but if we all do little changes to help the environment, those little changes add up.
- Use your coffee grounds twice. This was something Jane did! Especially if you’re only there for the creamy, sugary goodness anyway, your coffee doesn’t need to be that strong at all!
- Release spiders, moths, and even stink bugs back outside! Stink bugs probably have feelings, too!
- Compost either at home or through a pickup service.
- Embrace joy each time you see a sweet dog. Let them know they’re loved.
- Be pickier with what you buy. Look for quality, locally-made, and sustainable products.
- Consider buying pre-loved before buying new.
- If possible, walk to places and skip driving when you can. This will also give you a chance to notice nature. According to the World Resources Institute, going car-free is at the top of their list for ways to help the climate.
- Create proper shelters for feral cats who need warmth in the winter.
Washington National Cathedral
is hosting a celebration of life
for Dr. Jane Goodall
on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Click here to learn how to watch the livestream.
Honor Her With Love
Photo by Kat Stano
“…and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” -1 Corinthians 13:2
- Give a toast in her memory with her favorite drink: whiskey! (Ahem, if you’re legally old enough!)
- Read one of her books. I love Reason For Hope.
- Frame one of her quotes and add it to your home décor for inspiration.
- Give one of her books as a gift.
- Donate to her foundation.
- Symbolically adopt a chimp.
- Continue to let hope fill your heart. I know this wild world can bring us down, but the light inside of us is strong. The light inside of YOU is strong.
Conclusion: Dr. Jane Goodall, My Hero
To tell you the truth, I can get pretty down about the state of our environment, the apathy of many, and the lack of meaningful action from big companies and our government. But each time I think of how Dr. Goodall kept going, despite naysayers, despite being a woman in a male-dominated field, despite so much pain inflicted on innocent creatures that broke her heart, I can feel the ever present hope she gave us.
Dr. Jane’s passion for helping animals and the earth, no matter the circumstances, has given me courage and strength to keep using my voice. I believe in her mission. I believe in the goodness she believed in.
If Dr. Goodall has inspired you, I’d love to hear your story in the comments!
Thank you for the unique kindness you bring to the world. I’m grateful for you!
My next great adventure, aged 90, is going to be dying. There’s either nothing or something. If there’s nothing there’s nothing, that’s it. If there’s something I can’t think of a greater adventure than finding out what it is. I happen to think there is something because of the experiences I’ve had, because of experiences other people have had. Very powerful ones.
Dr. Jane Goodall
The Jane Goodall Institute Canada
is celebrating Dr. Jane and her legacy
on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
You can reserve your free ticket
or sign up to participate in the virtual livestream here.
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Aww I didn’t hear she passed! So great that so many people are hosting these to honor her legacy though!!
Thank you, Sienna! Yes, it was just last month in October💗 Thank you for honoring her by reading this post!
This is such a lovely post. She sounds like a wonderful person who made a real difference through her compassion and dedication. Even though I didn’t know much about her before, your words make me want to learn more about her life and the impact she left behind.
Thank you, Ann! Oh, I’m so glad this inspired you to learn more about Dr. Jane. This planet truly needed her and I hope her voice speaks to new generations forever🩷
I was so sad to hear of her passing. We lost a great person.
Same here, Fran🩷 Especially when the world needs her kind of love and compassion so much right now. Thank you for your caring words🩷
This was wonderfully written. Your thoughts are well spoken. Loved it.
Aw, thank you so much, Mary Ann!! That really means a lot to me🩷🩷🩷
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute post to honor Dr. Jane Goodall. So many great ideas, but “Share shelter dogs on your socials who are in urgent need of finding fosters” is one of my favorites.
Aw, thank you, Debbie, for saying that! I follow so many accounts that share urgent dogs. It’s heartbreaking, but I’m glad those kind souls are out there every day, bringing awareness. I’m so happy you enjoyed this post about Dr. Goodall!🩷