On June 19, 2025, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Natural History Museum (MHN) held a talk on the Importance of Biodiversity Conservation in Mozambique. The lecture, which was held in person at Colégio Shalom, in Maputo city, in the month in which World Children's Day and World Environment Day are celebrated, (reinforces the relevance of the issue for new generations). The event was attended by 50 participants, including ninth grade students and biology teachers. The session was led and conducted by a panel of experts: Dr. Erica Tovela, a researcher at the MHN and lecturer at Eduardo Mondlane University, Simões Ngale, a conservationist and bird specialist, and Acácio Chechene, Project Assistant at WCS.
Mozambique is a developing country rich in biological diversity, but it is also experiencing unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss, which creates immense challenges in reconciling human well-being with environmental and economic prosperity.
In the midst of this biodiversity crisis are children and adolescents, who are vulnerable and suffer the consequences of their contact with nature. They are less familiar with the biodiversity that surrounds them, which is fundamental to their quality of life and to developing a sense of being part of nature and caring for the environment.
Making children and teenagers aware of the importance of preserving the environment and using natural resources responsibly and sustainably is a fundamental step. Providing them with knowledge and tools, focusing on the negative impacts on ecosystems, gives them the opportunity to have an active voice and contribute significantly to the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique.
This engagement is essential for building a generation that is more aware of and committed to protecting our natural heritage.