When Jane Goodall Visited Cape Cod: The Legacy Of A Conservation Champion

HARWICH – Legendary primatologist Jane Goodall passed away recently at the age of 91, leaving a legacy that spanned the globe and touched many Cape Codders.

Beyond her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Tanzania, Goodall's stalwart support of conservation and environmental stewardship encouraged people of all ages to become active, compassionate citizens who seek a better future for the world we live in.

Longtime Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) supporter and Cape native Seth Doane, a CBS News television correspondent, interviewed Goodall in 2021. He described the interview during HCT's annual meeting that year, and also spoke to The Cape Codder newspaper about his experience with Goodall.

Doane said that he was struck by Goodall's indomitable optimism in the face of challenges: “Her answer was simple, it was ‘Optimism is the only option. Without it, you simply cease to move forward.’”

Goodall's global action and education program, Roots and Shoots, has inspired generations of young people to make the planet a better place for people, animals and the environment. The program emphasizes critical thinking, empathy, problem solving and collaboration.

A Roots and Shoots group quickly became an important part of the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School (CCLCS) after it was established in 1995. 

"We seized on this right away because it really resonated nicely with our mission," said Paul Niles, co-founder of CCLCS and former teacher and executive director at the school.

"We had some students in those early years who just took charge of our Roots and Shoots group and did phenomenal work," recalled Niles. "Our ties to the Jane Goodall Institute became very tight over the years and we became known as sort of an ideal chapter."

The Jane Goodall Institute began holding international Roots and Shoots conventions. "We decided we would host one in 2004," said Niles. This was a big deal. "Kids and teachers from all over North America came to the Cape in April 2004," said Niles. "We rented out the Provincetown Inn to house people and we had a parade right down Commercial Street. There were five days of programming. It was amazing."

The star of the show? Jane Goodall, right here on Cape Cod! 

"Jane came down and participated in the programming and spoke to the kids," said Niles. "One of the great memories was when we took her and about 120 kids and their chaperones to the flats in Brewster."

As Cape Codders know, the low tide flats, stretching toward the horizon on Cape Cod Bay, are a wondrous sight to behold. 

"I remember walking with Jane and Peter Trull, and Jane declared that this was the most beautiful place on earth that she had ever seen. I said to her, 'I bet you say that to all the habitats,'" Niles said.

HCT field naturalist and author Peter Trull reflected about his time walking with Goodall during her visit to Cape Cod:

“During my time accompanying Dr. Goodall on an exploration of the tidal flats and intertidal zone of Cape Cod Bay, we discussed the animals, culture and people of her work in Africa and my research in Guyana, South America. She instilled upon me the importance and necessity of understanding and teaching about animals' lives, loving and understanding all animals, caring for them and their environments and exploring nature with a sense of wonder. Her words were truly inspirational and have given me new insight as to how I experience Nature.”

Trull's walk with Goodall ended with a delightful observation from the acclaimed conservationist.

"As we were getting ready to go back to the cars and people, she looked down at our shoes locked in the wet substrate, now covered with mud and water, then looked up at me with a smile and said, 'Well, Peter, it seems that the more time you spend here, the more you become a part of it.'”

Despite her celebrity and renown, Goodall immediately connected with students and teachers, Niles said.

Clearly, there are some nerves when you meet someone like that," he said. "But she just put people at ease. She was great at that — I think it was one of her special talents."

Niles said meeting Goodall and working with students on the Roots and Shoots program enhanced and reinforced his teaching technique. 

"I go back to the roots metaphor," he said. “You're sending out roots, you're sending out shoots, you're sending out connections. And there's joy and beauty in that, sending out that goodwill, sending out that education, sending out that hope.”