Goodbye Jane

Yesterday on October 1st, 2025 the world learned of the passing of Jane Goodall. It came as a surprise as I had seen her back in April at an event in Carmel, California, where I had the privilege of photographing her onstage with Charles Knowles from the Wildlife Conservation Network.  

Turning the clock back ten years, Jane was the honored guest at the Wildlife Conservation Network's annual Expo in San Francisco. It was at this event I was a volunteer and got to see Jane for the very first time in my life. I could not believe it and joined the long queue with hundreds of others to have my photo taken with her. What I will remember from that is how she smiled throughout, forever gracious and interested in what people had to say. 

Her message of hope for the planet was relentless and even at 91, she was traveling 300 days of the year around the world. It was here in California she bid us all goodbye in her sleep. Goodbye Jane and thank you for making me a better person.