www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 31, 2007 - 3 Passion for animals Jane Lawton shares more than just a first name with Jane Goodall By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF ASHLEY HUTCHESON / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER JANE AND MR. H: New executive director of The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, Jane Lawton, sits in her Toronto office with Mr. H, Goodall's plush mascot. He's on sale today and tomorrow at Halton's Eco Fest, with proceeds going to the institute's causes. During a family visit to a zoo in Greece, Jane Lawton couldn't get over how bad the animals' living conditions were. Lawton was so outraged, in fact, that she wrote a letter to the city's mayor demanding change. She was six years old at the time. "I've always been one of those people, who, from the time I was very little, just always had a love for animals. If you're one of those people, you're really one of those people," Lawton said, smiling. "You feel that "I've always just been a strong connection with huge fan of anybody that other species." Whether volunteering works with wildlife. I at the Toronto Humane thought that was the coolest Society, taking care of a thing, anybody that got to jaguar and Siberian tiger go out and actually deal abandoned after a life in the circus, or organizing with animals like Jane a fundraising event to Goodall did." help save the orangutan from extinction, the Jane Lawton, executive director, Oakville resident has Jane Goodall Institute of Canada always been involved with those other species. Recently, Lawton reached what she calls "the culmination" of her work -- she's been named the new executive director of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. "This job came up and I thought, how can I not do this?" she told The Oakville Beaver, while sitting at a table in her downtown Toronto office along with Goodall's stuffed chimpanzee mascot, Mr. H. "It's just an incredible opportunity." Especially since this Jane has admired the other Jane since she was a young girl. A picture of Goodall and a chimpanzee is one of few decorations hanging in Lawton's office, which she moved into two months ago. "I've always just been a huge fan of anybody that works with wildlife. I thought that was the coolest thing, anybody that got to go out and actually deal with animals like Jane Goodall did," said Lawton. "It was just a dream career." Now, Lawton's in the driver's seat of the Canadian chapter of Goodall's work. "The most exciting part" of the new position, she says, "is the feeling that I personally can have a direct impact on potentially saving a species." Protecting chimpanzees and their habitats is just one of the institute's goals. The non-profit organization also funds conservation and education programs in Africa and worldwide, including Roots and Shoots, an environmental and humanitarian education program for youth. See Job page 4 Specialty Products Call for a professional consultative approach to your printing needs. 905. 845. 4549