The Jane Goodall Institute Announces Inaugural Jane Goodall Hike for Hope to Commemorate the First Anniversary of the Conservation Icon’s Passing 

The Jane Goodall Hike for Hope is a grassroots movement and open invitation to honor Dr. Jane Goodall by spending time in nature from October 1-4, with official events organized across the United States by Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Basecamps 

(September 2, 2026 – Washington, D.C.) The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) USA today announced the first annual Jane Goodall Hike for Hope USA, which celebrates the remarkable life and legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall with grassroots outdoor events across the country. Hike for Hope invites everyone to honor Jane by committing to spending time outdoors October 1^st-4^th, 2026, either by attending an event or hosting a hike. This global celebration provides a hope-filled opportunity to mark the late scientist’s passing — Dr. Jane Goodall died peacefully last October 1^st, leaving behind a legacy of research, conservation, and youth action that continues through the Jane Goodall Institute. 

Those interested in a Hike for Hope can explore the JGI USA Hike for Hope calendar to find an event near them or opt to host an event themselves. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Basecamps across the United States will also be hosting official Hike for Hope events, including events planned for Los Angeles, California; Tampa Bay, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and Portland, Oregon. Basecamps are local centers of positive change where dedicated staff and volunteers from JGI’s youth program, Roots & Shoots, are actively building relationships, offering support, and cultivating strong networks.  
 
In keeping with Dr. Jane Goodall’s belief that every individual has the power to make a difference, Hike for Hope intends to be an inclusive opportunity for all to connect with nature in a way that is meaningful. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, a commuter in a bustling city, or a suburbanite simply looking for a moment of connection with nature, you can participate in the way that works best for you. There is no required distance, pace, or activity — what matters is taking part and sharing in a collective commitment to hope and positive action. 
 
“Dr. Jane Goodall spent a lifetime fulfilling a vision of inspiring hope and transforming it into action. She was a powerful force, but she was also adamant that we all have the power to build a brighter future,” says JGI USA Executive Director, Anna Rathmann. “Hike for Hope is a reminder that we can all make an impact, and that impact is greater when we do it together. It is also an opportunity to reconnect with nature and admire its resilience, which was one of Jane’s greatest reasons for hope. I look forward to honoring Jane this October by lacing up my hiking boots and doing what she loved most: spending time outdoors, observing and appreciating the natural world.” 
 
Participating in the Jane Goodall Hike for Hope also helps raise awareness for the Jane Goodall Institute’s work to protect wildlife and habitats, inspire young people through Roots & Shoots, and advance conservation solutions that create a better future for all. 
 
How the Hike for Hope Works 

• Find an existing Hike for Hope event, or create your own event and invite your friends, family, and colleagues to join you. You can choose the day that works best for you from October 1^st  through October 4^th, or participate every day. 

• Get outside in a way that is meaningful, comfortable, and accessible for you. 

• Share photos of your experience using #HikeForHope and tagging @JaneGoodallInst. 

Dr. Jane Goodall’s Legacy 

• Dr. Jane Goodall’s landmark research changed how we understand animals and people, and her conservation activism inspired millions to make a positive difference in their communities and on behalf of our shared planet. 

• Dr. Jane Goodall’s spirit of compassion lives on through her namesake conservation organization, the Jane Goodall Institute, whose 30 global offices advance her vision of inspiring hope and transforming it into action. JGI develops impactful science-driven and technology-enabled programs that leverage extensive experience in the areas of long-term animal behavior research, animal welfare, habitat protection and restoration, community-led development, and youth action. 

• Jane’s belief in the power of young people galvanized hundreds of thousands of youth annually through Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots — a global movement that is active in over 75 countries, reaching more than 1.2 million people in 2023 alone.     

Available for interview:  

• Anna Rathmann, Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute USA 

Press Kit: 

Photos and video are available here with additional assets available upon request. 

Media contact:  

Kara Solarz, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Jane Goodall Institute USA 

ksolarz@janegoodall.org 

703.682.9243 

About Jane Goodall: 

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and United Nations Messenger of Peace, was an ethologist and activist who inspired greater understanding and action on behalf of the natural world. Known for her groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, Dr. Goodall forever changed our understanding of our relationship with the animal kingdom. 

Her work extended beyond scientific innovations, encompassing a lifetime of advocacy through her international organization, the Jane Goodall Institute – which advances community-led conservation, animal welfare, science, and youth empowerment through its Roots & Shoots program. A global icon, Dr. Goodall spent decades spreading hope and turning it into a meaningful, positive impact, working to create a better world for animals, people, and the environment we share. 

About the Jane Goodall Institute USA: 
 
The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global conservation organization founded in 1977 that advances Dr. Jane Goodall’s legacy in 30 offices around the world. The Jane Goodall Institute continues Jane’s vision of inspiring hope and transforming it into action through science driven, technology enabled programs focused on wildlife research and rehabilitation, community-led conservation, and youth engagement. Through the youth program Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, now active in 75 countries and counting, JGI is creating a movement of compassionate people who uphold its mission to create a better world for people, other animals, and our shared environment. 
 
Learn more at janegoodall.org and rootsandshoots.org. Follow @JaneGoodallInst and @RootsAndShoots.