Maegan Richards, USA, Positive Tracks Next Gen | Undergraduate student majoring in Geosciences at Princeton University: Taking part in the Lost Mountain Symposium inspires me because it seems like the perfect fit for my diverse interests in the environment and working with people towards conservation goals. While I have not decided on a career path, I know I love the outdoors, and I am interested in conservation to protect what I love. The symposium fits into a place that allows me to use these interdisciplinary focuses to explore what I am passionate about in new lights. The opportunity to participate in the program, and to learn more about the environment and conservation efforts in Mozambique, is very exciting to me.
The portion of the Symposium in Gorongosa National Park particularly interests me. On my ROCS experience I learned how hunting permits are sold and how they decide how many to sell, taking into account the new absence of wolves and grizzly bears due to over hunting. I wonder how the East African response to poaching is similar and different from an American response, and how the park plans on returning to a pre-war state. This is just one facet of the program that excites me. Overall, the program fits in well with my passions and I am enthusiastic about learning more. (Maegan is one our of Positive Tracks Next Gen’s. Read more below, and support Maegan’s fundraising goal here.)
What’s a Positive Tracks Next Gen? These are our Next Gen’s who are 23 and younger and are therefor qualified to have their fundraising dollars matched by Positive Tracks— a national, youth-centric nonprofit that helps young people get active and give back using the power of sport and adventure. In 2015 Positive Tracks, together with our outdoor industry partners, will double every dollar Next Gen Symposium participants fundraise until we have $90,000 for innovative integrated conservation.
Read more about our Positive Tracks Challenge Grant and get involved here
LEARN MORE AND JOIN US Amplify the Namuli Effect: Contribute to the 2015 Next Gen’s goal with a tax-deductible contribution. Every dollar raised is focused on building new approaches to African conservation, starting with the peak that launched it all—Mount Namuli. You can contribute to each person’s individual goal with the link at the end of their profile above, or to all of them here: