Dr. Jane Goodall continued her promotion of geospatial technology for conservation at the Map World Forum, a role that began at the 2005 ESRI User Conference. In an intimate press briefing, she shared that she had hesitated to attend that first GIS gathering, thinking she couldn’t relate to geeks with language that she didn’t understand. She says now that this exposure has been great for her organization, mostly for the wonderful people that have terrific follow up.
When Dr. Jane began her research in the Gombe National Park in Tanzania, her research tools were simply a paper and pencil, and it wasn’t until she began PhD work that she was exposed to the cutting edge scientific calculation tool of the day – a slide rule. Now, her organization is making great use of technology for the holistic management of the park and surrounding countryside. They are using DNA profiling to understand the lineage of the chimpanzee offspring, and geospatial technology to understand and map ways to conserve habitat.
Dr. Jane began her talk by explaining how alike we are to chimpanzees, including the fact that humans could receive a blood transfusion from these animals, that’s how closely we’re related genetically. The way that we differ most strongly is in our ability to communicate and pass information along. Yet, even with our advanced knowledge, how can we consider ourselves smart when we’re slowly poisoning the planet that we call home.
Dr. Jane’s realization that her preserve was under great pressure from the world outside led her on her mission to spread the word on conservation worldwide, traveling more than 300 days each year. In her many talks since her first exposure to geospatial technology, she has realized the power of GIS to help communicate conservation goals, and to manage conservation efforts.
The primary driver for her now is her outreach to children through her Roots and Shoots program and her work with the United Nations on world peace day. She relates that she doesn’t abide by the idea that, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children,” because we are stealing from our children, not borrowing. Have we compromised the future of our young people?
Dr. Jane believes that there’s reason for hope because there’s still great power in children seeing nature with their own eyes. She’s also encouraged by the resilience of nature, and our ability to restore nature rather quickly where we have destroyed it in the past. There’s also promise because of the human brain and its ability to create tools and technology to apply toward preserving our planet. And finally, there’s hope because of the indomitable human spirit to tackle large projects and not give up until we see results.
