Jane Goodall's Grandson Carries Conservation Legacy Forward

Merlin Van Lawick is learning to carry forward a legacy that changed the world. Five months after his grandmother Jane Goodall passed away in 2025, he's finding strength in the lessons she taught him about hope, action, and making each day count.

Van Lawick grew up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, surrounded by his grandmother's conservation work. He's been connected to the Jane Goodall Institute for as long as he can remember, but his role has deepened in recent years as part of the conservation science and communications team.

The 25-year-old recently made his first trip to Paris for the ChangeNOW 2026 environmental forum. It was difficult, he admits, but he's doing better now and taking it one day at a time.

Before starting his MBA, Van Lawick spent years learning conservation work in the field. He connected with local communities in Tanzania and witnessed firsthand how complex protecting wildlife and habitats can be.

His grandmother taught him a powerful way to think about hope. She would describe being in a dark tunnel with a light at the end representing hope.

"It's no good sitting there and just hoping that the light is going to come closer to you," Van Lawick explains. "You have to start crawling towards that light, getting over obstacles, under obstacles, pushing against them."

That philosophy drives him forward even through grief. He knows no one can replace Jane Goodall or fill the gap she left behind.

Why This Inspires

Van Lawick isn't trying to become his grandmother. He's simply doing what he can with the gifts he has, focusing on storytelling and engaging communities in the environmental mission.

He finds strength knowing countless people around the world care as deeply as he does about protecting the planet. Their combined efforts can create bigger impact than any single person.

The support has been overwhelming. Since Jane's passing, letters and messages have poured in from everywhere, reminding his family they're not alone in their grief or their mission.

Van Lawick believes we just need enough people to change how they react and make decisions. The window is small but the opportunity still exists.

He's committed to making the world better and doing his part well. That's what his grandmother would have wanted.