SCHOOLS: Goodall brings message to Castilleja

Scientist shares global concerns, but tells students 'don't give up.'

Renown animal behaviorist Jane Goodall delighted the packed house in Castilleja School's auditorium with slides of the group of chimps she has studied for more than four decades.

But her talk Wednesday afternoon also had a serious message, mainly that the Earth's environment is in trouble, but one person can make a difference.

The now-graying Goodall still visits the chimps of the Gombe Preserve in Tanzania, made famous in a National Geographic program on Goodall's studies, but she spends 10 months of the year travelling the world to spread her message of environmental conservation. Goodall came to the Palo Alto girls school upon invitation of the in-laws of one of Castilleja's staff members who are involved with the Foundation for a Global Community.

"When I first arrived, the 300-mile shore of Lake Tanganyika (where the Gombe Preserve is) were all covered with dense forest," Goodall said. "Now they look like this," she said, putting up a slide of a barren hillside.

Goodall said during the 40 years she has been studying chimps in Tanzania the human population has exploded, forests have been cut down to farm, and the land is used until it is unusable for farming. She has seen similar problems all over the world.

"People say `Jane, do you have hope?' I say yes," Goodall explained.

She said there are three reasons for her optimism: the powerful human intellect, tremendous dedication of young people, and the human "indomitable, strength of spirit."

Goodall has started several conservation and animal welfare organizations. One that she told the Castilleja students about is "Roots and Shoots." Now in 38 states and 30 countries, this group for students from kindergarten to college level, tries to foster respect for all living things, promote understanding of all cultures and inspire individuals to "make the world a better place."

"You may think, "I am just one person, what difference can I make?," Goodall said. "But, just think if thousands, millions of people changed their ways. We could change things very fast."

The British scientist's visit was not all business. She told of how she succeeded in her desire to study animal behavior despite the fact that everyone believed it couldn't be done.

"If you have a dream, don't give up," Goodall told the Castilleja students. "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. I know it."

She added, however, that support of family and friends was critical to her success.

"Nobody can accomplish things in life without the support of many, many people," Goodall said. "For me, the most important was an incredible, amazing mother."

Her mother was so supportive of her efforts, Goodall said, that in 1960 she came with her during the first few months in Africa of her chimpanzee study.

--Charlie Breitrose

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