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. 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 next four:

Dennyse Ana Paula Mario Amade, Mozambique, Positive Tracks Next Gen | Undergraduate student majoring in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management at Manica Superior Polytechnic Institute, Chimoio. I am a young woman who loves to study and I always dreamed of being able to help develop my country, regarding environmental issues. Since childhood, I liked to take care of the animals. While I was sometimes afraid of them, I always had a desire to protect them. I would like to be an environmentalist in the future, which is why I am currently studying Ecotourism and Wildlife Management.

I am interested in participating in this Symposium because I want to gain knowledge about the preservation of my environment. This event brings a light and new suggestions for the conservation of the environment in Mozambique. I believe that by participating in the event, I will achieve additional knowledge that will help me understand the question of the environment. Henceforth, there will be more involved in the cause, both local communities and the general public.

Maria Muchanga Davissone, Mozambique, Graduate student at Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo. I am teaching a subject related to Conservation of Biodiversity and my goal is to train professionals to be able to contribute to the socio economic development of the country and ensure that this development is based on environmentally sound practices, and contribute to the Conservation of Biodiversity. To achieve these objectives I am doing Masters in Working Capital and Biodiversity Conservation.

I hope that through my participation in this Symposium, I acquire more knowledge about biodiversity conservation and experiences on how conservation of biodiversity is done in other countries. Especially in conservation of areas with communities that use natural resources for their survival. Thus, I will be able to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and also for the development of Mozambique.

Osvaldo Antonio Lampião, Mozambique, Positive Tracks Next Gen | Undergraduate student majoring in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management at Manica Superior Polytechnic Institute, Chimoio. My goal is to become a professional with skills, abilities and attitudes that enable me to intervene with actions contributing to significant reduction of environmental impacts in conservation areas. I am studying Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, in order to enhance my knowledge and tools in multidisciplinary fields related to wildlife conservation, ecosystems management, environmental management and ecotourism.

I am inspired to participate in the 2015 Lost Mountain Conservation Symposium to consolidate the theoretical knowledge I have with the technical know-how and develop skills and competencies to be able to lead and coordinate activities successfully in various areas related to conservation and ecotourism. In addition, it is an opportunity to exchange experience with fellows from other countries in the world. I think that the Symposium will bring innovative solutions for environmental problems in Mozambique, as well the social and economic development of communities living in conservation areas.

Evans Vusani Mauda, South Africa, Undergraduate student majoring in Conservation Biology at the University of Venda, Thohotandou. I look forward to a future where invertebrates are considered part of the environment and are included in conservation planning and decision making. Currently, I am a registered Master’s student at the University of Venda pursuing my goal to one of the best entomologists from a rural based university. I am hoping that my study will inspire more and more youth to consider studying further and make a difference in the community they live in and hence stimulate the desire to treat and respect the environment.

Looking at my supervisors and what they have achieved through attending events like the Symposium has inspired me more to be eager to learn from different people around the world. The training received will improve greatly my knowledge of the environment and also give me a chance to collaborate with some of the best scientist in world. I will be able to share what I have learnt with my resident country more easily and I will bring in new ideas to my community.