Dr Jane Goodall speaks to a captivated audience at Skukuza. In addition to SHRs, the event was attended by several senior SANParks personnel. Dr Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, is a world-renowned ethologist and activist inspiring greater understanding and action on behalf of the natural world. She has dedicated more than 60 years of her life to wildlife conservation. “We are not the only beings with a mind, personality and culture.” During her inspiring presentation, Dr Goodall discussed the transformation in the area of Gombe National Park in Tanzania. The environment had been devasted by de-forestation, livestock overgrazing and a lack of education and development for the local inhabitants. By focusing on a programme of community development, one village at a time, her team gradually re-habilitated large areas of land, introducing sustainable methods of land use and livestock management. Emphasising the importance of the relationship between community development and conservation, Dr Goodall said, “Don’t study conservation, get to know people who need to learn how to coexist with conservation.” “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Much of this work is now undertaken in collaboration with young people through the “Roots and Shoots” programme, a worldwide initiative that empowers youth to bring beneficial and sustainable change to their communities, to wildlife conservation, and to the environment. She emphasised the importance of passing on the disciplines of conservation to younger generations, including the Junior HRs. In February 2024, Dr Jane Goodall accepted an invitation from the Lowveld Region to address its regional meeting in Skukuza. Contact Kevin Conway lowveldchairperson@sanparksvolunteers.org SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 98 DR JANE GOODALL INSPIRES CONSERVATION Members’ activities continued
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