Tag Archives: conservation

Christopher Miller: Protect Virginians from paying billions for data center infrastructure

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Christopher G. Miller has served as The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) president since 1996. He leads strategic planning for PEC, including its land conservation program, habitat restoration, rural economics, energy policy, land use policy, smart growth, and transportation policies.

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https://dailyprogress.com/opinion/column/article_1df95201-5272-54cc-a238-3db51d37f413.html

Famous Primatologist Jane Goodall Dead at 91 — The ‘Voice for Animals’ Is Remembered for ‘Protecting the Natural World’

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**Jane Goodall, Renowned Primatologist and Conservationist, Dies at 91**

*Published October 1, 2025, 2:26 p.m. ET*

Jane Goodall, best known for her groundbreaking research and tireless efforts to protect chimpanzees, has passed away at the age of 91, RadarOnline.com can reveal. The esteemed animal welfare activist remained active into her 90s and was in California this week as part of her ongoing speaking tour.

**Institute Confirms Passing**

The Jane Goodall Institute announced this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has died of natural causes.

“She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States,” the Institute’s statement read.

The announcement continued: “Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.”

**Global Tributes Pour In**

Social media users quickly responded to the news of Goodall’s passing. One user wrote, “Rest in peace, Jane Goodall. You taught us that kindness is a form of strength and that respect for life in all its forms is the truest measure of humanity. You will be dearly missed.”

Another added, “It is impossible to sum up the impact she has had on our world and on science in a social media post. She lived a long and incredible life, but I am devastated.”

“A pioneer, a dreamer, a voice for animals and the planet,” praised another. “She taught us to see ourselves in chimpanzees and hope in nature, and the world feels less friendly without her.”

**A Lifetime of Groundbreaking Work**

Jane Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 to support research on great apes. In addition to her scientific work, she established Roots & Shoots, a youth program dedicated to environmental and humanitarian issues, as well as TACARE, which focuses on sustainable development in African villages.

She began her landmark chimpanzee research in the wild in Tanzania at just 26 years old, making discoveries that forever changed the field of ethology.

Through her research, Goodall demonstrated that primates exhibit behaviors strikingly similar to humans, including complex communication and even the use of tools.

In a 2020 interview with ABC News, she described primates’ behavior:

*“Their behavior, with their gestures, kissing, embracing, holding hands, and patting on the back… The fact that they can actually be violent and brutal and have a kind of war, but also loving and altruistic.”*

**Inspiring Women in STEM**

Goodall’s dedication has also inspired generations of women to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). According to The Jane Goodall Institute — which cited census data from 1970 to 2011 — the number of women in STEM fields has risen from 7 percent to 26 percent in the last 60 years.

**A Call to Action on Climate Change**

Beyond her work with animals, Goodall was a passionate advocate for addressing the climate crisis. She often emphasized the urgent need for human action.

“We are definitely at a point where we need to make something happen. We are imperiled. We have a window of time. I’m fairly sure we do. But, we’ve got to take action,” she said.

**Cherished Support from Family**

Despite facing skepticism during her lifetime, Goodall always had unwavering support from her mother.

“She said, if you really want to do something like this, you’re going to have to work really hard,” Goodall recalled during an interview on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast with host Alex Cooper.

“Take advantage of every opportunity. And if you don’t give up, hopefully you find a way.”

Reflecting on her legacy, Goodall added, “I wish Mom was alive, and maybe she’s listening. The number of people who said, ‘Jane, I want to thank you. You’ve taught me because you did it. I can do it too.’”

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Jane Goodall’s extraordinary life and legacy continue to inspire millions worldwide to respect, protect, and cherish the natural world. She will be deeply missed.
https://radaronline.com/p/jane-goodall-dead-animal-welfare-activist-monkeys-chimps/

Judge fines Galway farmer over €9,300 for destruction of ‘rare’ limestone pavement

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A farmer has been ordered to pay over €9,300 in penalties for the destruction of 10 acres of an “extremely rare and unique” limestone pavement habitat within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) on the periphery of the Burren in Co Clare.

At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Judge Adrian Harris recorded a conviction against Galway farmer Martin Feeney, stating that 10 acres of limestone habitat were destroyed as a result of his actions.

Mr. Feeney, of Mincloon, Rahoon, Galway, pleaded guilty to two offences related to the adverse impact on the limestone pavement. Judge Harris imposed fines totaling €3,000 and costs of €6,307.

Helen Carty, Regional Manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), told the court that 4.3 hectares (10.6 acres) of limestone pavement had been impacted by reclamation works for agriculture carried out by Mr. Feeney between March and August 2022.

Ms. Carty emphasized that limestone pavement is an “extremely rare and unique habitat,” listed as a priority habitat under the Habitats Directive due to its risk of disappearance. She noted that any loss of priority habitat is significant.

The affected lands are located within the Moyree River system SAC, one of five SACs in the Burren, situated on its periphery.

According to Ms. Carty, Mr. Feeney undertook reclamation works by removing limestone pavement blocks and infilling the area with material sourced from a nearby drumlin on the lands. The area was then re-seeded for approved agricultural grassland.

The works involved leveling infill material over the limestone pavement habitat. Additionally, Ms. Carty stated that a wall was constructed from very large limestone boulders, likely sourced from the SAC in the vicinity.

To assess the damage, Ms. Carty conducted a helicopter survey of the area, providing before-and-after satellite images as evidence in court.

She also detailed a January 2024 site visit to Mr. Feeney’s farmyard, which required assistance from two gardai due to Mr. Feeney’s uncooperative behavior.

Counsel for Mr. Feeney, Evan O’Donnell BL, acknowledged the State’s evidence and confirmed that his client accepts responsibility for his actions. Mr. O’Donnell requested that no conviction be imposed, highlighting that Mr. Feeney has farmed the lands since the late 1980s.

He also noted that Mr. Feeney was previously subject to a prosecution by the NPWS in 2008, which was later withdrawn. Mr. Feeney believed that the reclamation works he carried out were lawful and that they were not impacting limestone pavement.

Mr. O’Donnell mentioned that substantial areas of limestone pavement on Mr. Feeney’s landholding remain untouched.

Furthermore, he revealed that Mr. Feeney was recently hospitalized, including a period in intensive care, after being struck by a cow.

Mr. O’Donnell added that Mr. Feeney is retiring from farming, with his daughter set to take over the farming activities. He expressed that Mr. Feeney is eager to resolve the matter and is willing to make a charitable contribution in lieu of a conviction.

Representing the State, Thomas Wallace O’Donnell BL, instructed by the State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey, emphasized the importance of a conviction being recorded in this case.

Mr. Feeney pleaded guilty to carrying out works on the lands between March 26th, 2022, and August 10th, 2022, within a SAC without the consent of the Minister. He also pleaded guilty to bringing plant machinery onto a SAC, adversely impacting its integrity.

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*This case highlights the serious consequences of damaging protected habitats and serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations.*
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/judge-fines-galway-farmer-over-e9300-for-destruction-of-rare-limestone-pavement-1810114.html