was just 10 years old when she read —at which point she decided she wanted to “go to Africa, live with wild animals and write books about them.” That dream came true when she met paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey during a trip to Kenya, who hired her in 1960, at the age of 26, to study the chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. After discovering that the animals were under threat due to habitat destruction and illegal trafficking, Goodall went on to launch the , a conservation organization that now has 25 outposts around the world, in 1977. “Not only [are we] part of nature, we depend on it,” she tells from her childhood home in Bournemouth, where she still lives today. “And as one species after another disappears from that ecosystem because of us, the ecosystem weakens and eventually will collapse. That’s happening all around the world—it’s scary.” As Goodall turns 90, the primatologist shows no signs of letting up, as she continues to travel the world “300 days a year” to spread her message. In particular, it’s her organization’s program, an initiative designed to inspire young people across the globe, that keeps her going. “[It] is giving young people the energy and the commitment, and they are truly making a difference,” she says. “It’s my major hope for the future. And so I will carry on as long as I live, trying to grow roots and shoots in more and more places.” Below, see nine life lessons that Goodall has learned from her nine decades on planet Earth. Work hard “My mother said if you want to do something, you have to work really hard. Take advantage of every opportunity, and if you don’t give up, hopefully you find a way—that message I’ve taken around the world.” Find common ground “If you’re talking to somebody who disagrees—I’m thinking of people like climate change deniers—don’t argue with them. You’ve got to get a feeling for who they are; try to find something that you share. Maybe you both love dogs, or books. Then find a story because you’ve got to reach the heart; it’s no good arguing with the head because they won’t listen.” Have empathy “When I got to Cambridge University, they told me you can’t be a good scientist and have empathy for your subjects. Fortunately, I had a wonderful teacher who taught me those scientists were absolutely wrong.” Be a supportive parent “Support your child’s dreams, even though it may be pretty obvious the child won’t continue to have that dream. That will make them feel good—feeling good when you’re young is really, really important.” Don’t be afraid to change your mind “You may be halfway through your university career and you may change your mind [about what you want to do]. There’s no harm in that. Don’t for heaven’s sake, go on doing something that you feel you’ve made a mistake [about].” Everyone can have an impact “[I wish] everybody understood that every day they live on the planet, they make some impact. And they can choose the kind of impact they make, if they think about what they buy, what they wear, the way they interact with people and with animals.” Be true to yourself “I never think of myself as a great leader—it’s not about wanting to lead, it’s about people wanting to follow. I think it’s about being honest: when people understand that you mean every word you say, when people see what you’re actually doing, I know I am changing people’s minds.” Everything happens for a reason “I don’t think coincidences happen in this life—I think things happen for a reason. We have a choice to listen or not.” If you’re feeling helpless, do something “For me, it’s about taking action; doing something. And of course, as I travel, I meet so many other amazing people who are doing, doing, doing. I get a lot of energy [from that].”