Tag Archives: Nature

Remembering Jane Goodall, a Titan of Conservation and Climate 🐒

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Dr. Jane Goodall delivers a speech at her last conference in Mexico City, holding her beloved chimpanzee toy. She stands behind a black podium.

The news landed last week, and it’s a profoundly sobering moment for anyone who cares about this planet: Dr. Jane Goodall has passed away at 91.

She was the pioneering primatologist and probably the top biologist of her time. Her groundbreaking discoveries—that chimpanzees use tools, have distinct personalities, and complex social lives—didn’t just change science; they forced humanity to look at itself in a new, humbler mirror. Incredibly enough, she first went to Tanzania in 1960 without a college degree. She was a young woman who dared to get up close and personal with animals most people thought were just “things.” You can read her definitive obituary here.

This news hit my wife and me especially hard because we attended her last conference, which was right here in Mexico City, the Saturday before her passing. Being in the room and hearing her voice—still sharp, still full of fire—was a powerful, final experience.

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Join the Flock: Crowdsourcing Bird Data for Climate Insights

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Poster for the 28th Great Backyard Bird Count, February 14 to 17, 2025, with a Spotted Towhee.

Let’s pause the venture capital talk and dive into something completely different—but just as exciting! The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fun, family-friendly way to help scientists monitor bird populations around the globe. It’s also an amazing example of using crowdsourcing and technology to advance science in an era of climate change.

Mark Your Calendar: The next Great Backyard Bird Count runs from February 14-17, 2025.

Why It’s Cool

  • Simple Citizen Science: Anyone can participate—just watch birds for at least 15 minutes and take notes.
  • Essential Climate Data: Tracking bird migration and population shifts offers key insights into our endangered planet.
  • Family-Friendly Fun: From curious kids to veteran birders, everyone can help gather valuable information.

How to Participate

  1. Pick a Spot—your backyard, a local park, or even your balcony.
  2. Watch & Count—log which bird species you see and how many.
  3. Submit Your Observations—use the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) website or the eBird app (iOS | Android) to share your sightings.

So if you’re looking for a quick break from work, join the Great Backyard Bird Count. You’ll enjoy the outdoors, discover new wildlife neighbors, and contribute crucial data to help tackle climate change! 🌎✨