Your Turn to Explore: Celebrating Jane Goodall at the MOE

While we carry her impact and message of hope with us year-round, we were especially excited to celebrate the very first Jane Goodall Day on April 3 in honor of what would have been her 92nd birthday.

Inspiration That Lasts a Lifetime

We now know Jane as the legendary conservationist she is, but like all the Explorers featured in the museum, her journey wasn't a clearcut path — it was a series of "spark moments." Sparks are moments that unlock a lifelong love or passion, setting us on a path we never imagined. This moment can come from anywhere and happen anytime, whether it’s a childhood book, a family pet, a quiet observation or noticing a problem that needs fixing. But, no matter the form it takes, it has the potential to change your life, and to change the world for the better.

As a child, Jane had a natural love for the outdoors and animals. She had a much-loved dog, Rusty, a pony and a tortoise, to name a few of their family pets. But, one of her spark moments was observing a hen laying eggs when she was just four years old, inspiring a lifelong curiosity about animals. She also loved reading "The Story of Dr. Doolittle," a childhood book about chimpanzees climbing in the trees. This was a pivotal spark moment for Jane, with her even saying, "If it weren't for [the book], I might never have gone to Africa."

Twenty-two years later, paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey sent her to the Gombe Stream Reserve to study wild chimpanzees, which Jane called "the best days of her life." But in 1986, she had yet another spark moment. While organizing a conservation conference, she saw the devastating impact of deforestation and habitat loss on chimpanzees as the human population expanded. As Jane said, "I went to that conference as a scientist, and I left as an activist."

Jane evolved from a prolific researcher into a fierce advocate for our planet, with her legacy becoming just as much about her research on chimpanzees as it is about inspiring hope and connecting everyone to nature. Jane explained that her job was "to go around and inspire people and get them to take action."

We’re excited to help you ignite that same spark at the MOE and inspire the next generation of advocates for our planet — because exploring is for everyone.

Honoring Jane Today & Every Day

Though Jane passed away in late 2025, her mission didn’t stop — it now lives on with all of us. We're excited to honor her not only on April 3 each year, but also every day after that. With that, we invite you to one take small, purposeful step toward protecting our planet:

• Opting for a plant-based diet for the day.
• Commuting by bike or foot.
• Helping clean up your local neighborhood.
• Exploring and spending time in nature.

Because, Jane showed us that individual action can add up to a massive impact.

Celebrate Jane at the MOE

This summer, the Museum of Exploration is proud to open its doors and invite you to dive deeper into Jane’s enduring legacy. As one of our most beloved Explorers, we are honored to continue Jane’s legacy and connect you with the world to recognize that we aren't just observers of nature — we are a part of it.