ALTJust months before her passing in October, Dr. Jane Goodall stepped behind the scenes of our Sea Otters exhibit to catch up with our founding executive director, Julie Packard. Jane was in California as part of a multi-week speaking tour in support of the U.S. chapter of her namesake conservation organization, the Jane Goodall Institute, and celebrated her 91st birthday right before her visit.
ALTJane made waves as a trailblazing scientist and conservationist renowned for her work with chimpanzees in Tanzania. The impact of Julie’s leadership in ocean conservation was visible just offshore as they chatted, where a group of wild sea otters rafted on a dense kelp forest canopy in the bay.
Julie and Jane discussed the interconnectedness of their work and how their parallel legacies protect forests on land and in the sea. Like Julie, Jane shared a soft spot for sea otters. In April, she spoke at conservation venues across Monterey to raise awareness and inspire hope for this iconic marine mammal. 🦦🦦🦦
ALTAs they watched the otters twirl and play in the exhibit below, Julie asked Jane how she stays hopeful in the face of the looming environmental threats like climate change.
“Despite the political goings-on throughout the ages, individuals are the ones who make a difference,” Jane replied. “My message of hope is what I call the indomitable human spirit.”
ALTJane’s legacy lives on through the Jane Goodall Institute and in the hard work and passion she inspired in countless biologists, scientists, and conservationists, including the Aquarium’s sea otter care team. They stayed late to meet Jane that Sunday in April, sharing stories with a common thread; Jane was one of the first reasons they all chose to pursue careers in STEM. 💙
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