How 10 female conservationists have changed our relationship with nature
ByAMY MAY HOLT
● TEN WOMEN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 8TH MARCH
Jane Goodall
British primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall is renowned for her groundbreaking discoveries that redefined the relationship between humans and animals. Despite having no university degree when she started (she went on to earn a PhD in animal behaviour), no formal scientific training, and at a time when primatology was almost entirely a male-dominated field, Jane opened the doors for women in science.
In 1960, Jane arrived in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania where she discovered chimpanzees make and use tools. Jane observed the chimpanzees using blades of grass or twigs to ‘fish’ for termites. Before this, scientists believed that humans were the only species able to make and use tools. Jane has often been criticised for her unorthodox approach to field research. Instead of observing the chimpanzees from a distance, she immersed herself in their habitat. Here, she witnessed other humanlike behaviours, such as hugging, and personalities in the chimpanzees. Jane spent many decades discovering the unique characters of each chimpanzee, and she even gave each chimp at Gombe a name.
In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which continues the Gombe research to this day, making it the longest running wild chimpanzee study in the world. In 1991, she created the global Roots and Shoots programme, which inspires tens of thousands of young people from around the world to make a difference in their local community by turning their ideas into conservation actions.
Now, Jane travels internationally raising awareness about chimpanzees and inspiring millions with her message of hope through action. During her roadshows, she shares her reasons for hope and how everyday individual actions can bring about larger, global changes. She will turn 90 on 3rd April.
Florence Merriam Bailey
At a time when birds were killed to be studied, Florence Merriam Bailey re-envisioned ornithology. In her book, Birds Through an Opera Glass, the American ornithologist and nature writer suggested the best way to view birds was in their natural habitat th
