Conservation icon Jane Goodall speaks tonight in St. Pete

With a small toy chimpanzee perched mischievously on her podium, legendary conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall met briefly with members of the media Saturday morning, in advance of her talk tonight at Tropicana Field.

The British ethologist – her PhD is in the study of animal behavior – made significant scientific discoveries during her observations of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania in the 1960s, and has been a leading figure in the environmental movement since. She is also a UN Ambassador of Peace.

She began a program in Africa wherein locals (“not a bunch of arrogant white people”) worked with villagers to figure out how to keep their families fed without destroying the wilderness around them.

Years later, Goodall said, “I suddenly realized, if the young people aren’t understanding why it’s important to save the environment, it’s a waste of everything we’re doing.”

A group of high school students, she continued, “came to my house and they were worried about poaching in the national parks. They were worried about the cruel treatment of dogs on the street, and that sort of thing.”

That was the beginning of Roots & Shoots, a division of the Jane Goodall Institute devoted to educating young people about environmental issues. “We decided the main message: Every single person on the planet makes an impact, every single day.

“And we can choose what sort of impact we make, unless we’re really poor or very young.”

Goodall, who turned 90 in April, was asked what motivates her to continue traveling the world to spread her message of responsible stewardship of the planet.

“What motivates me,” she replied, “is for some strange reason, people listen to what I say. And it changes them. I wouldn’t do it otherwise, ‘cause it’s completely crazy.”

Her message to those who wonder if our environment can recover from its many woes?

“The press is full of doom and gloom, and we need that,” Goodall said. “There is a bunch of doom and gloom. But I have had the advantage of meeting incredible people doing amazing things. I’ve seen places that were totally destroyed, down to bare rock, that given a chance and some help could once again support nature.”

Perhaps a single person can’t make a difference, she stressed, “but it isn’t just one person. There are millions of people around the world. So, millions of little efforts.”

Goodall speaks at 7 p.m. Saturday at Tropicana Field. Tickets are available here.