The world lost one of the most influential conservationists of the past century with the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. Her love of the natural world and subsequent call for us to champion a balance in the way we view nature began with her ground-breaking research on chimpanzees in the forest of Tanzania, Africa. She was a household name, right up there with Mr. Rodgers, and Big Bird. She carried herself with dignity and was a forceful voice for the creatures and places she loved.
Judging by the volume of tributes on social media, she touched many lives across all walks of life. She was a giant, among many, in my life. Her passing inspired me to stop and think about the other people that have done the same for me and ask you all to take the time to do the same. Who were those icons in your life that inspired you along your journey? I suggest that they include the titans like Jane, but also others closer to home.
For me, as a budding biologist, there were many folks that inspired me with their passion for the natural world. Dr. Edward Osborne Wilson, known widely as E.O. Wilson, unlocked the world of social insects. From the woodlands and waterways of Mobile, Alabama, to the halls of Harvard University, E.O. rose to inspire many through his world-wide research on his beloved ants. I had the privilege of spending time on the Pascagoula River with this man, finding him as humble as any person, and excitable as any child, as he held ants in his hands and shared their story.
Carl Sagan made me spend time thinking about the stars and contemplating our place in the cosmos. I can still hear his calm and soothing voice, sharing his thoughts about the vastness of space and time, with passion and purpose. As he often said, we are here among billions and billions of stars. I like math, but that is a big number. I still chuckle when I see the Gary Larsen cartoon that depicts Sagan as a young boy, standing next to a little girl, looking up at the night sky, with the caption “Carl Sagan as a Kid”. The bubble above Sagan’s head reads “Just look at all the stars, Becky, … there must be hundreds of em!”
And it is just this that should remind us all that these giants were once children as we were, wondering about questions that had no answers. They went on to answer many and inspire others to ask their own questions. And while these giants shaped our thinking, many others around us did as much to inspire us. Parents, relatives, teachers, and friends also helped mold us and deserve equal credit for who we are. The Goodall’s, Wilson’s, and Sagan’s made us think about the greater world, but those folks helped us find our own way.
So, take the time to remember, and if you can, thank those fine folks for helping you get to where you are today, in whatever role you play. My Mama was my first hero, but I also fondly remember the Mrs. Shales, Mrs. King, Mr. Barras, Mrs. Garber, and other inspiring teachers from grade school and high school. Matt Dakin, Courtney Hackney, William Cross, Richard Brown, and Ron Altig took it from there. They took the time to help me get to where I am. They are my Goodall’s, Wilson’s, and Sagan’s.
Who are yours?
Hope to see you in our great outdoors!
Photo of Dr. Goodall and my friend, Mary Ford, courtesy of the Jane Goodall Institute (Copywrite: Eric Guzzetta/JGI)
