Flo

Wednesday night I had the privilege of hearing Jane Goodall speak at Colorado State University.  As the CSU Wind Ensemble played “Out of Africa”, I felt an intense rush of emotion when Jane walked to the podium and put her materials in place, prior to her presentation.  She received a standing ovation for walking onto the stage, another as she was introduced and a final one as she completed her talk, “A Reason for Hope” (also the title of one of her books).

Jane Goodall traveled to Africa at a time when it was not expected that a woman could or would be so adventurous.  For more than 30 years she studied the chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, in Tanzania and established the Jane Goodall Institute.  The Institute  was “Founded by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, JGI is a global nonprofit that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. We are creating healthy ecosystems, promoting sustainable livelihoods and nurturing new generations of committed, active citizens around the world.”

Jane currently travels 300 days out of the year, speaking to audiences about healthy ecosystems, promoting the “Roots and Shoots” program for youth and advocating for creating sustainable living opportunities for the citizens of Africa.