In an innovative action for biodiversity conservation in Mozambique, the bio Card, a partnership between the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and Commercial Investment Bank (BCI), is funding two significant projects in collaboration with Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) and the Natural History Museum (MHN). These initiatives, announced in October 2023, aim to preserve species fundamental to Mozambique’s biodiversity.

The project led by UEM, through the University Botanical Garden, focuses on the conservation of species listed on Mozambique’s Red List, such as Warburgia salutaris, Encephalartos lebomboensis, and Encephalartos umbeluziensis. Beyond protecting these species, the project aims to train young people in propagation and reintroduction techniques for rare, endemic, and threatened species, fostering future leaders in conservation and promoting habitat restoration and the cultivation of native plants.

Meanwhile, the Natural History Museum is engaged in developing Banhine National Park (managed by the National Administration of Conservation Areas – ANAC), aiming to transform it into a wetland of international relevance and establishing it as a migratory route for Eurasian birds. This effort is an integral part of the bio Card initiative, which channels a percentage of card annual fees to support biodiversity conservation projects in Mozambique.

Through these projects, the bio Card is playing a crucial role in the conservation of specific species and the identification of wetlands of international importance, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental preservation and the promotion of ecological awareness in Mozambique.