Citizen Science - Measurement special Jane Goodall

Citizen Science – Measurement special for Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall is a British anthropologist and biologist, best known for studying the social and family life of the chimpanzee in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania from 1960. In honour of Jane’s 90th birthday, we initiate actions on or around her birthday (3 April), to thank Jane in a hopeful way with a ‘love in action’ gift.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” — Dr Jane Goodall (1934–2025) 

Visit your waterbody for Jane 2026

This year, the 3rd of April was officially declared Dr. Jane Goodall-day! To celebrate this, her birthday and her legacy, we invited everyone to gather near a waterbody to honor Jane and her tireless commitment to a better world.

Li An did a citizen science water measurement with a schoolclass from Zandvoort. The children cycled to the Amsterdamse Water Dunes, learned about local wildlife, discussed Jane’s lifework, and measured water quality. We shared water stories and gave thanks. As ambassadors of Jane Goodall Instituut Nederland, we kept her spirit alive.

Scout your river for Jane 2025

Our shared birthday present to Dr. Jane Goodall, who turned 91 on the 3rd of April 20225, was a scout your river, canal or stream event, with as many people around the world.

Measurement special 2024

In April 2024 we have organised a first Citizen Science measurement special on Jane’s birthday. Hub organisations from Austria, Ireland, Sweden, The Netherlands and Turkey joined us and connected with their closest flowing fresh water body to celebrate our living world and Jane’s life.

In homage to Jane’s legacy, we will make this measurement special a yearly tradition in the first week of April with hopefully many organisations with
their volunteers, who are part of our citizen science community around the world, to join us and deepen their love and care for their river systems.

About the Jane Goodall Institute

The Jane Goodall Institute is a global community conservation organisation that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, they improve the lives of people, animals and their environment. The Jane Goodall Instituut Netherlands, a branch of the global organisation, has established a group of ambassadors known as Jane’s ‘Circle of Hope’, which includes Li An Phoa (founder of Drinkable Rivers).

(c) photos: Roy Borghouts Fotografie

“There has never been a more important time to protect this planet. Jane blazed the trail
and inspired hope through action. I commit to follow in her footsteps and I will do my part
of spreading hope and turning it into a meaningful positive impact to create a better world
for people, other animals and the plant we share.”

~ Signed by:
Aniek Moonen, Jan Terlouw, Li An Phoa, Sterrin Smalbrugge,
Harm Edens, Auke-Florian Hiemstra and Patrick van Veen

About Jane’s Circle of Hope

30 April 2023 marks the official start of Jane’s Circle of Hope, a group of seven Dutch social and environmental change-makers: Aniek Moonen, Jan Terlouw, Li An Phoa, Sterrin Smalbrugge, Harm Edens, Auke-Florian Hiemstra and Patrick van Veen (all in the picture on the top of the page). Following in Jane Goodall’s footsteps, they continue to spread her message of hope and want to inspire others to take action for a better world. Each in their own way, with their own expertise and from the shared passion to make the world a little more beautiful, healthier and peaceful.

(c) photo: Roy Borghouts Fotografie

“As Jane Goodall’s Circle of Hope ambassador, I wish to celebrate and honour Jane’s birthday and life. What I can give is deepening our love for our revers and widening our circles of care for our rivers by inviting people to join our citizen science measurements”

~Li An Phoa, founder of Drinkable Rivers

Drinkable Rivers Citizen Science programme

Drinkable Rivers runs an ambitious citizen science programme. This program enables people to monitor the health of their rivers. Ultimately, it also helps us to track progress towards the goal of a world with drinkable rivers. Click here for more information.