Our Crowdfunding Groups
ASU's Institute of Human Origins now houses the physical materials of the Jane Goodall Institute Gombe Research Archive—over 60 years of handwritten observations of wild chimpanzees in Gombe National Park. For the continued protection of these irreplaceable, priceless materials, we seek funds to establish a world-class secure space to include fire- and water-proof filing cabinets fitted with acid-free, archival quality folders.
Dr. Jane Goodall. Image by Andrew ZuckermanThe physical archive—initiated by Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace—comprises hundreds of thousands of handwritten notes by hundreds of researchers and will find a new home at ASU’s newest, state-of-the-art research building—Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 7 (ISTB7). The research, begun by Goodall, transformed our understanding of our closest living relatives, and in turn, our own place in the world. Her early observations of chimpanzee tool use, hunting, and complex social relationships revolutionized the field of primatology.
About the ASU Institute of Human Origins
The Institute of Human Origins (IHO) is one of the preeminent research organizations in the world devoted to the science of human origins. A research center of The College of Liberal Arts and Science, IHO pursues an integrative and transdisciplinary strategy for research and discovery bridging social, earth, and life science approaches to the most important questions related to human uniqueness and the causes and timing of events over the course of human origins and evolution. Scientists affiliated with IHO are involved in research across all scales and disciplines for understanding how we “became human,” including high-profile discovery, emergence of modern humans in Africa, human adaptation to a changeable planet, human uniqueness, primate behavior, and genetic inquiry. IHO fosters awareness of human evolution and its relevance to contemporary society through innovative outreach programs that create timely and accurate information for both education and the general public.
About the Jane Goodall Institute
The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global, community-centered conservation organization founded in 1977 that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall in over 30 countries around the world. We aim to understand and protect chimpanzees, other apes and their habitats, and empower people to be compassionate citizens in order to inspire conservation of the natural world we all share. JGI uses research, collaboration with local communities, best-in-class animal welfare standards, and the innovative use of science and technology to inspire hope and transform it into action for the common good. Through our Roots & Shoots program for young people of all ages, now active in over 68 countries around the world, JGI is creating an informed and compassionate critical mass of people who will help to create a better world for people, other animals and our shared environment.
We can't all go out to see these amazing creatures in the wild, but we can help conserve the 61-year record of their lives in the wild and how they help us understand our place in the world. Give at this level to be a friend to fund 26 fire- and water-proof cabinets.
The Gombe Chimpanzee Research Archive was started by Dr. Jane Goodall 61 years ago and contains thousands of pages of observations by hundreds of researchers. Give at this level to champion the preservation of this treasure!
Today there are 92 chimpanzees living in the forest at Gombe National Park in Tanzania. That's really not many, but the researchers know each one of them by name, as Jane Goodall began to first identify individuals in 1960.
What and how much does a chimpanzee eat every day? Do they share their food? If so, with whom? With friends? With their brother or sister? Gombe chimpanzees eat 250 kinds of food that they find in their forest habitat. Observations from the archive have identified food, friend, and sharing behaviors. Be an advocate for conserving these important observations!
Over the past 61 years, 346 chimpanzees have lived, borne children, befriended or fought with each other—under the observation of interested humans who have sought to understand our primate cousins.
Each individual Fireking filing cabinet will protect this priceless and irreplaceable archive from both fire and water damage. Give at this level and you will buy one of the 26 cabinets that we need!
