Talking with Jane Goodall
Have you ever met your hero? I have. Recently, a fundraiser for the Jane Goodall Institute took place in Dana Point, California and was attended by biologists, environmental activists, and teachers from the ecological community. I met and spent time with my only living hero, Dr. Jane Goodall, the world famous primatologist who studied the chimpanzees of Africa for the last forty years. Dr. Goodall’s discoveries not only shed light on the inner world of chimps, but also changed the very definition of what is considered human. I have always admired Dr. Goodall for the work she has done to benefit scientific knowledge, but I now admire her even more for her daily efforts to bring peace and humanity to the Earth. …show more content…
While on the boat, we were treated to an event even the biologists said they had seen only once before in thirty years. We followed a “super pod” of dolphins that was chasing a school of anchovies. This wasn’t a group of twenty to thirty individuals: there were thousands of males, females, and tiny babies jumping, spinning, and surfing all around our boat. Sitting on the very bow of the boat, next to Pierce Brosnan, dolphins splashed me for over an hour.
The day after my trip, I took a few minutes during each class to share pictures and stories with my students. Many of them were visibly excited while hearing about Dr. Goodall and the dolphins. One student said how “…wonderful it must have been to have met someone who has such a profound effect on the world.” They were surprised to hear Jane was so friendly and easy to speak with. Some were particularly amazed to hear of so many dolphins and said it must have been a “euphoric experience.”
I have my dear friends, Robin Kobaly and Doug Thompson, directors of The SummerTree Institute to thank for inviting me on this cruise. They planned and coordinated the trip. Robin and Doug were kind enough to invite me to experience this wonderful event I will remember for a lifetime. If one is interested in finding out about the programs available through The SummerTree Institute, their website is
Have you ever met your hero? I have. Recently, a fundraiser for the Jane Goodall Institute took place in Dana Point, California and was attended by biologists, environmental activists, and teachers from the ecological community. I met and spent time with my only living hero, Dr. Jane Goodall, the world famous primatologist who studied the chimpanzees of Africa for the last forty years. Dr. Goodall’s discoveries not only shed light on the inner world of chimps, but also changed the very definition of what is considered human. I have always admired Dr. Goodall for the work she has done to benefit scientific knowledge, but I now admire her even more for her daily efforts to bring peace and humanity to the Earth. …show more content…
While on the boat, we were treated to an event even the biologists said they had seen only once before in thirty years. We followed a “super pod” of dolphins that was chasing a school of anchovies. This wasn’t a group of twenty to thirty individuals: there were thousands of males, females, and tiny babies jumping, spinning, and surfing all around our boat. Sitting on the very bow of the boat, next to Pierce Brosnan, dolphins splashed me for over an hour.
The day after my trip, I took a few minutes during each class to share pictures and stories with my students. Many of them were visibly excited while hearing about Dr. Goodall and the dolphins. One student said how “…wonderful it must have been to have met someone who has such a profound effect on the world.” They were surprised to hear Jane was so friendly and easy to speak with. Some were particularly amazed to hear of so many dolphins and said it must have been a “euphoric experience.”
I have my dear friends, Robin Kobaly and Doug Thompson, directors of The SummerTree Institute to thank for inviting me on this cruise. They planned and coordinated the trip. Robin and Doug were kind enough to invite me to experience this wonderful event I will remember for a lifetime. If one is interested in finding out about the programs available through The SummerTree Institute, their website is