Planting Seeds of Change: The Legacy of Jane Goodall and How You Can Live It

The world lost a guiding light this month. Dr. Jane Goodall — scientist, activist, and advocate for all living beings — passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. Her voice may be quiet now, but her message of compassion, hope, and action continues to echo across the globe.

For those of us who practice yoga and meditation, Jane’s life is a reflection of living mindfully — seeing the sacred in all beings, acting from love, and nurturing the planet that sustains us.

As Jane watched forests shrink and chimpanzees disappear, she turned her attention from research to advocacy. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to support conservation and community education.

Then, in 1991, a conversation with a small group of Tanzanian students sparked something even greater: Roots & Shoots— a youth-led movement encouraging young people to take action for people, animals, and the environment.

What began with twelve students now spans more than 60 countries, empowering thousands to plant trees, restore habitats, and lead projects that heal their communities and the planet.

Living Her Message Through Yoga and Mindfulness

Jane’s work mirrors what we practice on the mat: interconnectedness. Yoga teaches that there is no “me” and “them,” only one web of life. Roots & Shoots invites us to embody that awareness through compassionate action.

Each of us has the power to plant small seeds that grow into meaningful change — for the earth, for animals, and for each other.

Here are a few ways to honor Jane Goodall’s legacy through mindful living:

1. Practice eco-awareness. Walk in nature, plant something, or simply pause to notice the life around you. Let gratitude guide your choices.

2. Support Roots & Shoots. Learn more or get involved at janegoodall.org/roots-shoots. Even small projects — a local clean-up, a donation, a tree planting — make a difference.

3. Inspire compassion. Share her story with others. Invite children, friends, or students to reflect on how kindness toward the planet begins with small acts of care.

Jane Goodall reminded us that hope is born from action. “What you do makes a difference,” she said, “and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Her passing is a call to keep growing — to live with awareness, serve with love, and plant the seeds that will one day become forests of change.

Take a deep breath. Feel the earth beneath you. Ask yourself: What seed will I plant today?