Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.

Renowned conservationist Jane Goodall addressed a crowd of 1,500 at Pasadena High School, offering words of encouragement and solidarity in the wake of the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires. Hosted by the Pasadena Educational Foundation and the Pasadena Unified School District, the event served as both a reflection on Goodall’s groundbreaking six-decade career studying chimpanzees and a heartfelt tribute to the firefighters, animal rescuers, and community members who acted selflessly during the fires. Goodall emphasized how tragedies can bring out the best in humanity, leading a round of applause for first responders and encouraging attendees to honor not only local heroes but also those suffering from disasters around the world.
In recounting her journey from a young girl with a dream to a pioneer in ethology, Goodall highlighted both the obstacles she faced and the major shifts her work brought about in understanding animals as sentient beings with complex emotions. She spoke passionately about chimpanzees’ capacity for both violence and compassion, noting their close kinship to humans. Prior to her speech, local youth groups such as Roots & Shoots and the Pasadena High School Green Club showcased their environmental initiatives, from soil rehabilitation to plant distribution projects aimed at supporting food security and ecological recovery.
Goodall concluded her talk with a candid acknowledgment of the climate crisis and its impact on future generations, urging young people to stay engaged through community-led conservation and activism. She challenged the notion of human supremacy by questioning the wisdom of destroying the planet, yet ended on a hopeful note, pointing to nature’s resilience and the power of individual action. Holding her longtime travel companion, a stuffed monkey named Mr. H, she reminded the audience that everyone makes an impact and that collective hope and determination can shape a better future.
FULL STORY: Jane Goodall draws crowd in Pasadena, where she touts ‘heroic deeds’ amid Eaton, Palisades fires

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie