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From 11 to 14 November 2025, the Department of Biological Sciences at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) hosted a training course on Principles of Spatial Planning and Prioritisation, promoted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as part of the project "Building biodiversity knowledge for action in Southern Africa: Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, Prioritisation and Planning (SBAPP)".
The training aimed to introduce young professionals to the use of the CLUZ (Conservation Land Use Zoning) integrated into QGIS software, an open-source tool widely used in systematic conservation planning. Through theoretical and practical sessions, participants learned how to identify and prioritize priority areas for conservation, simulating real decision-making processes that balance biodiversity protection and sustainable land use.
The training was attended by 20 young people, including professionals, final-year university students and recent graduates. The training was facilitated by Hermenegildo Matimele, Acácio Chechene and Rafaela Macuácua from WCS, and Hugo Mabilana from UEM, combining practical experience and academic knowledge.
This activity is part of the SBAPP Project efforts to support Southern African countries in developing tools and technical skills to guide evidence-based conservation policies, strengthening cooperation between academic institutions and conservation organizations.