An Evening with Jane Goodall

Tchimpounga Rehabilitation Sanctuary

Surrounded by 129,000 acres of dense rainforest and savannah, lies a safe haven for chimpanzees. For almost 30 years, the Tchimpounga Sanctuary has been home to over 200 chimpanzees orphaned, malnourished, or injured by the illegal wildlife trade and deforestation.

To Tchimpounga chimps, the sanctuary is so much more than trees and grass. The waters of the Kouilou River provide a natural barrier to keep them safe from wild chimpanzees, bushmeat hunters, encroaching development and other threats. Ecoguards, hired by JGI, patrol the 555 square mile area to ensure safety from outside threats. And a dedicated team of caregivers rehabilitate and protect them. The islands are now home to 93 chimpanzees who live in family troops and spend their days exploring the forested canopy.

Photo: Sophie Muset

Building Community Resilience to Climate Change in Senegal

Every year, Senegal’s Kedougou region is more and more threatened by climate change. As natural disasters like erratic rainfall, floods, prolonged droughts, and soil erosion become more frequent the “hunger” season grows longer. During which a staggering 70% of the population have to reduce their food intake to survive. Half the people meeting these challenges are women, who make up 50% of the region’s active farmers.

In partnership with JGI Senegal, the Réserve Naturelle Communautaire de Dindéfélo, and community members, we’re collaborating with farmers to implement nature-based solutions like biocharcoal (which reduces deforestation and protects local carbon sinks) and implementing a drought-resistant crop called fonio (which is a bit like quinoa). We’re also supporting local communities to promote gender equality so that women have greater decision-making roles, and people can live in better harmony with the natural world.

Photo: Marie Meloche

Roots & Shoots

Dr. Jane Goodall started Roots & Shoots over 30 years ago when she met with some young people who were eager to fix local problems.

She was struck by their energy, their optimism, and their willingness to tackle crises they didn’t create. Roots & Shoots helps young people harness this energy and become the community leaders not just of tomorrow, but of today.

Today, Roots & Shoots is a globally-recognized youth leadership program. In Canada, over 12,000 young people are actively involved in projects. Over 80,000 community members are being directly impacted.

Roots & Shoots is open to young activists from pre-school to post-secondary. Anyone 18 and older can become a member and start their own project today. Adult champions who work with youth under 18 can start a project for their classroom, youth group, community centre, or anywhere  youth gather.

Everything You Need to Know About the Jane Goodall Act

The Act will:

• Support action on the illegal wildlife trade including elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn bans.
• Phase out elephant captivity in Canada.
• Provide limited legal standing for affected species, and encourage orca Kiska’s relocation to a whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia.
• Require permits for individuals and organizations to acquire or breed big cats and other species.
• Ban new captivity at roadside zoos for big cats, bears, wolves, seals, sea lions, walruses, certain monkeys, and dangerous reptiles.
• Create a new designation for Jane Goodall Act ‘animal care organizations,’ including zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries.