Celebrating Jane’s 90th with Vital Impacts: Women Behind the Lens 

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There are so many ways to describe Dr. Jane Goodall — ethologist, conservationist, advocate — but she’s also known as a celebrated storyteller! Since Jane’s wild chimpanzee research in what is now Gombe, Tanzania, storytellers of various media have followed in her footsteps, inspiring compassion and action for this planet we share. In an exciting partnership with Vital Impacts, a women-led nonprofit that uses powerful visual storytelling to support conservation, 90 such storytellers are celebrating Jane with a sale of their best fine-art photography prints to benefit Jane Goodall Institute’s global chapter. 

As we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Jane Goodall, we not only honor her groundbreaking work in ethology but also recognize her pivotal role in inspiring women around the world. Jane Goodall did more than just redefine our understanding of the relationship between humans and animals; she shattered barriers and opened doors for women everywhere.

Ami Vitale, National Geographic photographer and founder of Vital Impacts. 

90 Prints for 90 Years of Impact

To celebrate Jane’s 90th birthday on April 3rd, 2024, Vital Impacts is hosting a 90-day fine-art photography sale. This collection, “The Nature of Hope: 90 Years of Jane Goodall’s Impact,” exclusively features the work of 90 female photographers from around the globe who are inspired by Jane. Much like Jane, they are breaking ground in their field, and much of the breathtaking artwork reimagines our relationships to the natural world.  

Not only do these prints tell an important story — they actively contribute to Jane’s dream of a kinder planet. Proceeds for the sale will directly benefit the Jane Goodall Institute’s global chapter, which furthers Dr. Jane Goodall’s vision of science-based, community-led conservation and youth empowerment.  

Photography can transport people into wild places and enable then to see animals and scenery that otherwise they would never know. Or evoke vivid memories of experiences once enjoyed. Such images are powerful tools for conservation, reminding us we must do everything we can to save the beauty and wonder of the natural world for future generations. Before it is too late.

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace 

Meet the Photographers

This exclusive sale began on April 1st, and as a nod to Jane’s milestone 90th birthday, Vital Impacts is highlighting the work of one of the sales’ exceptional photographers on each day of the 90-day campaign. Read what some of these featured photographers have to say about their pieces: 

  • A photo of two great pandas standing on rocky ground, surrounded by misty forest.
  • A photo of the silhouette of sparse trees against an orange and red smokey sky.
  • A photo of a single elephant walking between a forest of tall trees.
  • A photo of a large group of caribou standing in an open and snow-covered field, with a great, snowy-covered mountain in the background.
  • A photo of a strand of golden kelp reaching upwards towards the light coming down from the surface of the water.

You can purchase these stunning prints on the 🔗 Vital Impacts website through July 2, 2024. To meet more of the incredible photographers participating in this celebratory campaign, keep an eye on 🔗 Vital Impacts’s Instagram @vital.impacts — more photos coming out soon! 

Exclusive Signed “Selfies” from Jane

A photo of a young, feminine person with light skin and blond hair pulled into a ponytail (Dr. Jane Goodall) looking through a telescope out onto the forested hills of Gombe, Tanzania.

“I had to find a place where there was a tree that was just right for balancing the camera. I had to set up the tripod and fiddle about until I had the tripod and the imagined image of me framed just right. That was in the days before digital so I had to wait a long time before I got the results back from National Geographic. I was pretty proud of myself. I love that picture.” 

Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace 

In addition to prints from these 90 groundbreaking photographers, Jane will be offering exclusive, signed prints from her early work in what is now Gombe Stream National Park. These include hand-signed photographs of her beloved F-family of chimpanzees, and a signed “selfie” that she created at what is now known as Jane’s Peak — Jane’s ideal spot for observing chimpanzee behavior through her binoculars, especially when they did not yet trust her enough to get close.  

Jane shared, “I’m so delighted that our friends at Vital Impacts have launched their latest photo print sales. I was really excited to see that that photo of me looking out at the valley at Gombe with my trusty lightweight telescope was chosen. It was taken in, I think, 1962. I was on my own, very high up in the hills, and I thought what a great photo this would make. 

I had to find a place where there was a tree that was just right for balancing the camera. I had to set up the tripod and fiddle about until I had the tripod and the imagined image of me framed just right. That was in the days before digital so I had to wait a long time before I got the results back from National Geographic. I was pretty proud of myself. I love that picture.”  

Above: photos by Nora Lorek, NASA and ESA Telescope, Suzi Eszterhas, Tiina Itkonen, Sisse Brimberg, Evgenia Arbugaeva, and Karine Aigner.

Take Home a Piece of History

The breadth and talent of the photographers featured in this collaboration is a testament to the vast impact Jane has made in the field of conservation.  

“Through her pursuit of knowledge and her unwavering dedication to understanding the natural world, Dr. Jane Goodall’s dedication to unraveling the mysteries of the natural world not only challenged the prevailing norms but shattered the confines of what society believed women could accomplish,” states Vital Impacts founder Amy Vitale. “Her pioneering spirit not only opened doors for us to delve into the wonders of nature but also inspired advocacy for its preservation.”  

The sale ends July 2, so don’t miss your chance to take home a piece of history! Each purchase directly funds our work at the Jane Goodall Institute’s global chapter as well as supporting these visionary artists. The greatest gift you can give Jane to celebrate her 90 years of impact is to support her vision for a world where people and wildlife live in harmony on this shared planet. 

About Author

Kira is the communications coordinator for JGI programs at the Jane Goodall Institute USA, where she supports the team in advancing public engagement with JGI's holistic programs. Kira graduated from Smith College in 2021, majoring in anthropology and minoring in art history, and during her time there she developed a deep interest in the field of anthrozoology. Her interests within this field are broad, and have led her to study elephant iconography in the U.S. and wildlife management in Tanzania. JGI's values and mission as well as the mindset of anthrozoology guide her work, exploring the interactions between humans and other animals in order to promote a healthier coexistence on this shared planet.