Jane Goodall Institute Launches First Hike for Hope Event

This October, you can celebrate the life of Dr. Jane Goodall by doing what she loved most: spending time in nature.

The Jane Goodall Institute announced the first inaugural "Hike for Hope" event, scheduled for October 1-4, 2026. The timing honors the anniversary of Goodall's passing on October 1, 2025, celebrating her decades of groundbreaking research, conservation work, and youth empowerment.

The best part? You don't need to be an experienced hiker to join. The institute emphasizes that anyone can participate in whatever way works for them, whether that's a mountain trek, a city park stroll, or a quiet moment observing nature in your backyard.

Official events will take place in Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Portland, hosted by the institute's Roots & Shoots Basecamps. These local centers support young people making positive impacts in their communities, continuing Goodall's belief that every individual has the power to create change.

"Dr. Jane Goodall spent a lifetime fulfilling a vision of inspiring hope and transforming it into action," said Anna Rathmann, JGI USA executive director. "Hike for Hope is a reminder that we can all make an impact, and that impact is greater when we do it together."

The Ripple Effect

While Hike for Hope isn't specifically a fundraiser, it raises awareness for the institute's ongoing work protecting wildlife and habitats worldwide. Participants sharing their experiences on social media using #HikeForHope help spread Goodall's message that nature's resilience gives us reason for hope.

The event follows another tribute to Goodall earlier this year when April 3 was officially designated as Jane Goodall Day. That celebration marks her birthday and encourages support for conservation causes she championed throughout her remarkable life.

There's no required distance, pace, or even specific activity. What matters is taking part in this collective commitment to hope and positive action, just as Goodall inspired millions to do during her lifetime and continues to do through her lasting legacy.