The Ambassador made his first visit to Gorongosa National Park this week. He was there with Minister Correia in honor of World Forestry Day and to participate in the official opening of the park for the tourist season. The park is managed by an American NGO, which works with the Mozambican government to encourage economic development, conservation, and scientific research. The park is the largest employer in Sofala province.
“I was pleased to join Minister Correia and Gorongosa Restoration Project President Greg Carr for my first visit to Gorongosa National Park,” the Ambassador said. “The team there, made up of Mozambicans and international experts and financed in part by the US government, is doing amazing work to develop the park, provide opportunities for Mozambicans living in the area, and protect wildlife. The work being done at the E.O. Wilson Research Center puts Mozambique on the cutting edge of scientific research. I am proud of this important effort to protect Mozambique’s amazing and unique natural resources.”
The Ambassador witnessed a traditional blessing ceremony to open the park, visited the science center, and attended the graduation of a group of 76 park rangers. He was able to see a series of exhibits about activities in the park and the buffer zone, which is home to neighboring communities, including the Gorongosa Lion Project, health services, bee keeping and agricultural activities. Communities who live in the buffer zone have a relationship with the park and benefit from health, agricultural, and educational programs provided through USAID and the Carr Foundation, the NGO which funds the park.
