Grant Bemis, USA

Grant Bemis, Positive Tracks Next Gen | BA in Environmental Studies with minors in Biology, Chinese, and Art, Eckard College 2014: I first became aware of The Lost Mountain Project the summer before my senior year of college. My high school science professor at Breck School first put me in touch with Majka, and as it turns out, Majka and I had both graduated from Breck. As I looked closer at the project I was hooked. The combination of adventure with science and environmental conservation was right up my alley. I knew instantly I had to be a part of this. Through a series of emails, Skype sessions and some fundraising, the possibility came into focus. And with the combination of Positive Tracks and my hard work, it became a reality.

My time spent with The Lost Mountain team in Mozambique and Malawi in 2014 was life changing, and also more fun than I ever imagined. The friends I made and lessons I learned will last a lifetime. My experiences with Majka and the team are why I am most looking forward to attending the 2015 Lost Mountain Symposium. What I learned last time could never be replicated in a classroom. Thanks to the inspiration and confidence I gained as a member of the team, I am currently wrapping up my own four-month conservation expedition called With the Winds, sailing and conducting research throughout the Caribbean. Attending the symposium only seems natural and is a decision I know I will never regret.

(Grant is one our of Positive Tracks Next Gen’s. Read more below, and supportGrant’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: