Dr. Jane Goodall Memorial Gathering
Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall in a day of connection, reflection, and community.
Join the Jane Goodall Institute and the Forest Preserves of Cook County at LaBagh Woods Picnic Grove #1 in Chicago for a community memorial honoring Dr. Jane Goodall’s extraordinary life - a life dedicated to compassion, curiosity, and caring for the natural world.
We’ll be gathering outdoors to honor Dr. Jane’s love and deep connection to nature. This gathering will include a few meaningful ways to give back in her honor, for those who wish to.
We encourage families, friends, students, and any community members who wish to honor Dr. Jane’s life and carry her work forward to attend.
This gathering invites people of all ages and experience levels to participate in ways that feel meaningful.
JGI extends a big thank you to the Forest Preserves of Cook County for their partnership and support for this event.
We are proud to be supporting the Chicago Canine Rescue at this event, to bring awareness to dogs in need - a cause close to Dr. Jane's heart.
Schedule
This event is from 2-5PM and is an open-flow gathering, meaning there is no formal schedule of activities.
However, we will be leading short group walks at 2:30 and 4:30 for anyone interested in walking together.
At 3:30PM we invite you to join us for a short musical performance, share stories, and celebrate Jane’s enduring impact on all of us. You are encouraged to bring a lunch and picnic blanket to settle in during the performances.
Musical performance will feature Bill Bucholtz, Native American Flute Player, who will lead a land acknowledgement.
The following activities are available to join anytime throughout the event from 2-5PM:
Nature Journaling: Slow down and connect deeply with the world around you through writing and drawing - much like Jane did in Gombe.
Litter Pickup: Help care for our shared environment by joining a park cleanup, reflecting Jane’s commitment to conservation and stewardship.
Dog / Nature Walk: Bring your dog or simply take a peaceful stroll on the North Branch Trail (paved), embracing the joy and presence Jane found in her connection with animals and nature - and her love of dogs!
Please note: In keeping with Jane’s deep respect for nature, we will not be leaving any physical markers at the site. We invite you to participate in ways that are meaningful and mindful, while following Leave No Trace principles to protect the space we gather in.
About the venue: LaBagh Woods
Learn more about LaBagh Woods here.
The following amenities will be available:
Bathrooms
Limited free parking
A picnic shelter with benches
Open grassy lawn for picnic-ing
Paved trail (North Branch Trail)
What to bring
Lunch, snacks, water, reusable water bottle
Picnic blanket / lawn chair
Your dog! (optional - all dogs must be leashed)
Notebook and pen (if nature journaling)
Trash picker upper (for litter pickup, if you have one)
Attire: please dress comfortable and casually, prepared to spend time in nature
Support
Social Media
JGI would love to honor and celebrate these meaningful memorials with you. Please share your photos by uploading them to our memorial portal or tagging us on social media @janegoodallinst using #RememberingJane.