Matutuine, September 8, 2023 — A group of 26 Bachelor’s degree students of  Forestry Engineering program at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) participated in a study visit to Maputo National Park (PNAM). The visit aimed to equip the students with theoretical and practical knowledge about ongoing ecological restoration activities at PNAM.

Led by specialized technicians from PNAM and the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), the visit provided the students with a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on activities. These included ecological surveys in areas subjected to the removal of eucalyptus, an invasive alien plant species.

Since 2017, PNAM has been implementing an ecological restoration program focused on the removal of invasive plants like Eucalyptus spp. This program, led by PNAM and supported by the Environmental Fund of the Republic of Portugal, is complemented by the technical and financial support from the COMBO+ program, a partnership between BIOFUND, WCS, and the Government of Mozambique.

According to Aide Farão from BIOFUND, the foundation implements pilot projects for practical learning in various Conservation Areas (CAs) and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). These initiatives follow the Biodiversity Offset Directive, established by Ministerial Diploma No. 55/2022 of May 19.

The study visit represents a milestone in the education of UEM’s future forestry engineers, offering them practical experience and the chance to contribute to national conservation initiatives.

This event is part of a series of educational and practical activities aimed at promoting sustainability and biodiversity conservation in Mozambique.

To learn more about BIOFUND’s Biodiversity Offset Program, click HERE.