DeepSummary
The episode begins with Jane Goodall sharing a childhood memory of living in France and having to leave when World War II broke out, leaving behind crates of champagne that were distributed to locals. She then introduces her guest, Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute USA, who she describes as a brilliant scientist with deep respect for people and wildlife.
Dr. Pintea recounts his journey from growing up in Moldova, studying at Moscow State University during perestroika, and eventually coming to the US on a Fulbright fellowship to study remote sensing and satellite imagery. He talks about his early work using this technology to study chimpanzee habitats at Gombe National Park for his PhD, which impressed Goodall with its potential.
The conversation delves into how Pintea's work with mapping and GIS technology has enabled the Tacare program's community-led conservation approach, empowering local communities to make informed decisions about their land. They discuss the future of integrating technologies like Microsoft's Project Premonition to better understand disease spread and the importance of bridging the gap between science and on-the-ground realities.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Dr. Lilian Pintea's pioneering use of mapping and satellite imagery enabled groundbreaking studies of chimpanzee habitats and behavior.
- The Tacare program's community-led conservation approach empowers local communities by integrating their traditional ecological knowledge with modern technology.
- Integrating cutting-edge tools like Microsoft's Project Premonition with community-based approaches holds promise for addressing complex challenges like disease monitoring.
- Bridging the gap between science and on-the-ground realities through storytelling and appealing to human emotions is key to driving meaningful conservation action.
- Conserving chimpanzees is vital for maintaining healthy forest ecosystems due to their ecological role.
- Jane Goodall's lifelong mission has inspired optimism and collaboration towards protecting the planet.
- Innovative technologies must be adapted to local contexts and limitations to be truly effective conservation tools.
- Interdisciplinary approaches combining different knowledge systems are needed to make wise decisions for people, animals, and the environment.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “When people saw those maps, they were so happy, and they were so eager to map out and record their knowledge. And I remember at some point, they start mapping sacred sites, and I was looking at the Tacare team and asking what I'm supposed to do with this information.“ by Lilian Pintea
- “You immediately recognize the importance of it, the value of it. You know, Google Earth came later in 2005, doing, of course, pretty much the same thing, but at a scale which it's incredible.“ by Lilian Pintea
- “The real challenge is how you take this again, this convert this amazing information and tools and data to actually improve conservation decisions on the ground. And I think that's the key, which you showed again and again, so clearly and inspired a generation of storytellers and scientists who are learning to be better storytellers and reaching to their hearts.“ by Lilian Pintea
- “It's been shown in some forests where chimpanzees and other large animals have been hunted out, that the forest is not regenerating. So chimpanzees are very, very important part of the forest ecosystem.“ by Jane Goodall
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Episode Information
The Jane Goodall Hopecast
Dr. Jane Goodall
12/21/21
In this episode of the Hopecast, Dr. Jane Goodall is joined by Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute USA. Dr. Pintea has been with JGI for over 17 years and in his current role, he oversees all science activities and functions at JGI, supporting departments and country offices by integrating research, analysis, tools, and technological innovation to support JGI’s mission. In Jane’s words, he’s a “brilliant and innovative scientist with a deep understanding and respect for the people and wildlife he works with.” And, one of her favorite people. In this fireside conversation, Jane and Lilian talk about his journey to becoming a scientist that was shaped by his education from all over the world - from Russia to Romania to the United States to Tanzania. Together, they reminisce on the early days of the Tacare program - JGI’s community-led approach - and reflect on how by sharing technologies like Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) and maps with the communities around chimpanzee habitats, JGI is able to create a common understanding of landscapes, opportunities, and threats. Through these tools, local communities can lead better decision-making for their own lands - for sustainable development and conservation goals alike. Dr. Pintea shares with Jane about the future innovations being developed now that will further the potential of how people and technology can come together to overcome challenges. In one example, the Gombe One Health Hub project partners with Microsoft’s Project Premonition in Gombe to better track and predict zoonotic disease spillover using mosquitoes as vectors. Lilian’s focus on both the technological potentials, tools, and realities of local knowledge advances conservation in innovative ways by “connecting scientists to decision makers.” As Jane always says, “the head and heart need to work in harmony to attain our full potential,” and Dr. Lilian Pintea is proof of that. In 2022, JGI will be partnering with Esri - a leader in geographic information system software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications - to publish a book on Lilian and JGI’s work focusing on this community-led approach called, “Local Voices, Local Choices.”
At the End of the Rainbow: Stay to the end of the episode to hear Jane recount the way in which Tacare - JGI’s community-led conservation approach - created a true partnership and collaboration with local communities who are the leaders of local conservation decision-making improving the lives of people, other animals, and ecosystems across the chimpanzee range.