We join the world in mourning the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a pioneering scientist, storyteller, and humanitarian whose life’s work forever changed our understanding of the natural world. Her profound curiosity and empathy for chimpanzees expanded into a global movement for conservation and community-led action, one that continues to inspire millions around the world.
Jane Goodall understood early on that maps tell stories. From the forests of Gombe in the 1960s to community-managed landscapes across Africa today, her vision embraced the power of spatial data to connect local action with global insight. She championed the use of modern geospatial tools to monitor habitats, inform conservation strategies, and share powerful stories with the world.
A Shared Commitment to Conservation through GIS
Blue Raster is honored to have collaborated with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) on a range of projects that reflect Dr. Goodall’s commitment to innovation, storytelling, and community partnership. We were fortunate to travel to Gombe in Tanzania on multiple trips to support their team with vital field data collection efforts.
Together, we have built interactive maps, decision support tools, and StoryMaps that make JGI’s vital work more accessible and impactful:
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🛰 Decision Support System in Western Tanzania that visualizes community-collected data on threats and restoration progress, bringing real-time insights to local leaders and conservation practitioners.
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🐒 Celebrating 60 Years of Discovery, an ArcGIS StoryMap that traces chimpanzee research and habitat change over decades and highlights JGI’s expanding impact through spatial analysis and storytelling.
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🌍TACARE: an immersive StoryMap that brings JGI’s community-centered conservation approach to life.
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✨ Tapestry of Hope, a global interactive platform that empowers people everywhere to share their conservation stories and connect them to place.
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🌱 Templeton Roots and Shoots Prizes StoryMap, which showcases youth-led environmental action around the world.
Through these collaborations, we have seen firsthand how Dr. Goodall’s vision transcended disciplines, weaving together science, local knowledge, and technology to build a better future for people, animals, and the environment.
🕊 A Lasting Legacy
Jane Goodall once said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Her difference is immeasurable. Her legacy lives on through the communities she empowered, the lives she helped protect, and the generations she inspired to take action.
Blue Raster is grateful to have played a role in amplifying that legacy through the lens of GIS and storytelling. As we reflect on her extraordinary life, we commit to carrying forward the spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and hope that defined her work.
🕊 Thank you, Jane. 🌿
