Dr. Jane Goodall inspired Age of Union long before our Founder, Dax Dasilva, first had the privilege of meeting her. From her pioneering chimpanzee research in the early days of her career to her decades of global conservation activism, Dr. Goodall showed the world that protecting the planet begins with a simple but powerful belief: every individual has the ability to make a difference.
In 2023, Dax first traveled with Dr. Goodall deep into the Amazon rainforest to visit Chief Juma Xipaia, founder of the Juma Institute, based in Kaarimã Village within the Indigenous Territory of the Xipaya in Brazil’s Pará state. That journey marked the beginning of a meaningful friendship between Dax and Jane, grounded in their shared commitment to conservation, Indigenous leadership, and humanity’s connection to the natural world.
The visit also led to a partnership between Age of Union, the Jane Goodall Institute, and the Juma Institute to support the protection of the Xipaia territory, the creation of the first Amazonian chapter of Jane’s youth environmental program, Roots & Shoots, and the defense of Indigenous culture and autonomy.
As a tribute to their shared values, Dr. Goodall appointed Dax Dasilva to the Council for Hope of the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation, a group selected to help carry forward her life’s work.
Dax is also a producer on Just Me, Jane, a new documentary premiering in 2026 dedicated to sharing her message and legacy with future generations.
Her loss is felt deeply at Age of Union and around the world. We honor Dr. Jane Goodall not only as one of the most influential conservation voices of our time, but as a remarkable example of what this work truly requires: courage, persistence, compassion, and an enduring faith in humanity’s ability to choose a better future for all living beings.
