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.