The Lost Mountain is moving forward: the Additive Adventure 2015 Next Gen Symposium is in July, and we have 26 participants from Africa and North America. As of April 18th, the African participant team is assembled. Seventeen students from Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique ranging from undergraduate to doctoral students will join us in Gorongosa National Park. Meet the first four:

Vasco Lino, Mozambique, Positive Tracks Next Gen | Undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences at Universidade Lúrio, Pemba. The environmental conservation in Mozambique needs us to keep working. [I think this] because we have many places with a beautiful landscape and [not everyone will go to] see what is happening there and what kind of the species are there if it is under threat. This resources will end and we will suffer from climate change and lot of diseases. We need serious professionals in environmental conservation who will bring convincing arguments for our identity to governors and leaders of this country.

When I read about this symposium and the experience which it gives I was very thrilled and [wanted with my] heart to be part in the 2015 Lost Mountain Symposium.  I like to climb mountains, I need to contribute to my country with this skills, so I would like to learn a lot [and] put my country on top.

Regina Leonardo Muianga, Mozambique, Masters candidate in Management and Conservation of Biodiversity at Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo: In addition to my graduate studies at the University of Eduardo Mondlane, I am a technician in the Ministry for Land, Environment and Rural Development; National Directorate of Environmental Management. My specific job is related on development of National Strategy, Policies and National Regulation to protect our environment and biodiversity. All the instruments that we are in position to develop are very important to protect human health and ecosystems, we are very strongly involved in raising awareness and educating companies of our communities to consider issues related conservation of natural resources.

My inspiration to participate in the Symposium is to gain experience with other people that will be involved in the Symposium with international expertise on management of environment and socio-economic strategies at international level. The training will help us develop our skills.

Vuyelwa Nandipha, South Africa, Positive Tracks Next Gen | Undergraduate student majoring in Social Science Geography and Environmental Management at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg: My passions in life consist of protecting the environment and assisting people through sharing the knowledge I have obtained from University. I come from a  community and home where education and assisting people especially those who are in need is an important aspect of life. The environment is a beautiful natural world that has the ability to cater for plant and animal species, as well as humans. I strongly believe it is our duty to manage and preserve the environment, as well as help spread the knowledge we posse to disadvantaged and uneducated communities, as they highly depend on the environment as their only source of food, employment, medicinal use, sense of belonging, spiritual and traditional aspects.

I am intrigued to take part in the 2015 Lost Mountain Symposium because environmental management and assisting communities is my passion. I strongly believe in the missions and objectives of this company as it implements better ways to conserve the environment through multi-disciplinary ways, as well as help communities who strongly  depend on the environment as a source of aesthetic value, food, water, medicinal purposes and employment.  I am enthusiastic to learn with virtuous knowledge of environmental systems, along with the ability to work well with other individuals as a team.

Aurélio Rodriguês Pais, Mozambique, Masters candidate in Management and Conservation of Biodiversity, at Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo: Since my childhood, I have had a great passion for nature. It is only when I got in school that I started understanding the importance of planting and taking care of the forests. In 2007 I entered the Eduardo Mondlane University to study Forest Engineering. My passion for the forest kept on growing and in 2014, I decided to go for a master’s degree in Management and conservation of biodiversity, which I expect to conclude this year (2015). My wish is to continue until I acquire a PhD in Terrestrial Ecology.

I believe that the 2015 Lost Mountain Symposium will provide me with more knowledge about nature and mountain ecosystem. I expect and believe that my participation in this symposium will be a great opportunity to know mountain ecosystems and open space for more surveys in national mountains like Mabú, Chiperone, Binga, Lebombos, Gorongosa, etc. I also expect, with the acquired knowledge, to create a conservation program with communities in mountainous areas with high biodiversity.