## Overview The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a globally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife and environmental conservation, with a particular focus on great apes—especially chimpanzees—and their habitats[2][3]. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., JGI was founded in 1977 by Dr. Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist whose groundbreaking research in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, revolutionized our understanding of primates and their close kinship to humans[2][7]. The institute’s mission is rooted in Dr. Goodall’s belief that the well-being of our world depends on people taking an active interest in all living things[1][4]. ## Mission and Activities JGI’s core activities include protecting great apes and their habitats, fostering harmonious relationships between people, animals, and the environment, and inspiring individual and collective action for conservation[1][3]. A hallmark of JGI’s approach is its emphasis on community-centered conservation, recognizing that local communities are essential partners in safeguarding biodiversity and improving both human and environmental health[6]. The institute’s programs are implemented through partnerships with local stakeholders, scientific research, and innovative use of technology—including geospatial mapping and mobile data collection—to monitor wildlife and habitat health[3]. One of JGI’s most impactful initiatives is the Roots & Shoots program, a global youth-led movement active in nearly 100 countries. This program empowers young people to develop and lead projects that benefit people, animals, and the environment in their own communities, cultivating a new generation of compassionate conservation leaders[1][3][4]. ## History and Key Achievements JGI’s origins trace back to Dr. Goodall’s early fieldwork in Gombe, where she observed not only the intelligence and social complexity of chimpanzees but also the growing threats to their survival from habitat loss and human activity[2][7]. Realizing that conservation required addressing the needs of both