It is with profound sadness that the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) joins the global scientific and environmental community in mourning the loss of Jane Goodall, who passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. Jane Goodall was far more than a scientist. She was a pioneer who forever transformed our understanding of nature and of ourselves. Her discoveries redefined the boundaries between human beings and the animal world, challenging long-standing assumptions and inspiring new ways of thinking about our place in nature. Yet her influence reached far beyond the scientific sphere. Jane Goodall became a global voice for biodiversity, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Through the Jane Goodall Institute and the creation of the Roots & Shoots program, she empowered millions of young people around the world to take action in their communities, nurturing a generation that views the protection of nature as both a responsibility and a calling
For the GA, her legacy resonates deeply. Our mission is rooted in the sustainable exploration of nature’s resources and the recognition that biodiversity is the foundation of human health and well-being. We are devoted to strengthening the connection between natural product research, biodiversity preservation, and the pressing challenges of climate change, ensuring that scientific innovation contributes to sustainable solutions.
Jane Goodall embodied this philosophy through her lifelong advocacy for the environment and her tireless efforts to raise awareness about climate change, habitat destruction, and the urgent need to safeguard ecosystems. Jane Goodall demonstrated that science is not merely about collecting data, but about building empathy, inspiring change, and creating a movement that spans generations. Her ability to communicate complex scientific ideas with warmth, clarity, and conviction allowed her to reach audiences far beyond academia and policy, touching the hearts of millions.
As we reflect on her extraordinary life, we in GA feel a renewed sense of responsibility. Her vision calls on us to align research with advocacy, to ensure that our scientific endeavors are not isolated from society, and to use our collective knowledge to protect the natural world that sustains us all, to amplify the voices of communities, particularly indigenous and underrepresented groups, whose knowledge and stewardship of natural resources are vital to a resilient future. The GA honors her memory by committing to keep educating, by inspiring, and by fostering a global community that values plants, animals, ecosystems, and the profound connections between them.
