In the passionate pursuit of a better understanding of how best to protect and preserve our natural environment, Nelson Mulezere – one of our Positive Tracks Next Gen students – writes about the moment when he began to understand how everything in this world fits together. As we head into the The 2015 Lost Mountain Next Gen Symposium where we are moving towards creating a collaborative future for Mount Namuli, Nelson’s Next Gen Voice Blog resonates deeply with our desire to empower and elevate young Mozambican students and leaders to bring this vision into reality.

I know what you’re thinking: what is a Positive Tracks Next Gen Student? To us, a Next Gen is any young person who pursues their passions for driving positive change, exploring this great planet, forming new connections, and creating lasting impact. Nelson is also one of our students at The 2015 Lost Mountain Next Gen Symposium that is 23 and younger who is supported by our friends at Positive Tracks— a national, youth-centric nonprofit that helps young people get active and give back using the power of sport and adventure. 

Over to Nelson…

For a long time I saw nature manifest itself in different ways, but could not understand all of the changes that were happening. The years went by until one day I realized what was really going on: the changes were occurring because of the pressure man was applying to nature in pursuit of raw materials to meet our needs.

Upon that realization, the will to conserve and preserve nature and the desire to reduce anthropogenic impacts was born in me. What I knew was that I had to know nature in its fullness to be able to preserve it and that’s why I want to come to The Lost Mountain. 

This great opportunity to participate in the The 2015 Lost Mountain Next Gen Symposium is something I have been waiting for. There, I will have the opportunity to be with scientists, conservationists, and professionals from other areas with a lot of experience and also peers who bring with them a different view than mine. I think all of these people will help me grow intellectually and will push me.

I am hoping to see several species of wild animals such as large mammals, birds, and reptiles that are endemic species that are only in Gorongosa National Park. I’m also looking forward to seeing different insects and plant species that characterize our forests.

I am excited that I will finally understand for myself what life is like in parks, and as Gorongosa National Park one of the biggest and best parks that Mozambique, I am excited to see for myself all of the beautiful mysteries that I have heard about in books, magazines, and on TV.

It’s going to take a lot of courage for me to face this journey of adventure, climbing mountains in search of the environment’s riches. But once I have conquered it, I will be able to preserve these riches and will be able to use them in a sustainable manner that doesn’t impede man or nature. I know that this will be a unique experience that will truly be an adventure.

Nelson Mulezere is an undergraduate student studying Natural Sciences at UniLurio in Pemba, Mozambique. Nelson is one of The Lost Mountain’s Positive Tracks Next Gens. Positive Tracks is a national, youth-centric nonprofit that helps Generation Next get active and give back using the power of sport. The Positive Tracks program plugs into charitable athletic events to double dollars and amplify awareness generated by ages 23 and under. In 2015 Positive Tracks, together with our outdoor industry partners, will double every dollar participants at The 2015 Lost Mountain Next Gen Symposium fundraise until we have $90,000 for innovative integrated conservation.