Natural Selection

“Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” Those are the words of Jane Goodall, renowned chimpanzee researcher and environmental steward, who certainly knows of what she speaks. The international Jane Goodall Institute furthers her groundbreaking work, which connects the well-being of humans to species conservation.

In pursuit of further connections, the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada recently found new habitat at U of T through a partnership with the university’s Centre for Environment. Centre director Ingrid Stefanovic says the partnership is focused on students: there will be work-study and internship opportunities, and possibly exchanges with organizations in Africa. Select students will meet with Goodall and receive feedback on projects relating to conservation and sustainability.

The partnership came about quite organically when Goodall spoke at the Centre for Environment’s Natural City conference in spring of last year. As the first step toward collaboration, the centre has announced a new graduate scholarship (currently in the works) named in Goodall’s honour.“When I met her last year,” says Stefanovic, “what absolutely struck me was her sense of calm and her compassion – she just exuded [these qualities]; they were contagious.”