In the heart of Manica province, amidst plantation forests and communities that directly depend on natural resources, a young intern is transforming knowledge into impact. Jéssica Carlos, a graduate in Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering from Uni-Zambeze, is one of the beneficiaries of the 7th edition of the Pre-Professional Internship Programme of the Leadership Program for Conservation of Mozambique (PLCM) – an initiative of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), funded by the Government of Sweden.
Published at 08/08/2025
From Theory to Practice: Jéssica Carlos and the Rise of a Young Conservationist in Manica
Since the beginning of her internship at Portucel Mozambique, Jéssica has been engaged in several areas of sustainability, actively contributing to the integration of biodiversity into the company’s forest management. With clear goals defined in her internship plan, she participates in activities such as the validation of Conservation Areas, ecological restoration, natural resource monitoring, and environmental education actions.
Throughout the internship, Jéssica has already identified more than 100 hectares as priority areas for conservation and initiated the restoration process of a 6.5-hectare area with high ecological sensitivity. She has conducted environmental awareness sessions, reaching just over 210 farmers with messages on sustainable farming practices and forest protection. She also carries out the collection of water and soil samples at strategic points for the continuous environmental monitoring of the area under the company’s management, ensuring the follow-up of environmental impacts and the adoption of corrective measures whenever necessary.
But beyond the numbers, Jéssica stands out for the way she faces challenges and turns difficulties into opportunities for growth. In her testimony, she shared that the first months were demanding: dealing with new responsibilities, a complex organisational structure, and direct interaction with communities with different habits and languages required adaptation, resilience, and empathy. “It was challenging at the beginning, but I gradually adapted with the support of the technical team and my supervisor, even remotely,” she said.
One of the most inspiring moments of her activities, accompanied by the PLCM team, was when Jéssica led a community awareness session where she addressed, using simple language and everyday examples, issues such as deforestation and species extinction. By using illustrated posters and objects, she was able to capture participants’ attention and promote open and participatory dialogue. The clarity of her communication and the empathy with which she engaged with farmers reveal a young professional in full development.
Jéssica has also contributed innovative ideas to strengthen environmental education initiatives, proposing the establishment of continuous monitoring systems in communities and the creation of focus groups to assess the impact of interventions. With a strategic vision, she further suggested strengthening partnerships with institutions such as ANAC and Gorongosa National Park, aimed at supporting the management of Portucel’s intervention areas and the reintroduction of priority species.
Her internship has not only been an opportunity to apply technical knowledge but also a personal learning journey, where she has developed skills such as leadership, communication, decision-making, and time management. “I feel that I am growing as a person and as a professional. This internship has helped me move from theory to practice and to understand the real role I can play in biodiversity conservation,” she concluded.
The story of Jéssica Carlos reflects the mission of the PLCM: to invest in the potential of young Mozambicans committed to the future of conservation. It is also an inspiring example of what can be achieved when knowledge, opportunity, and the will to make a difference come together. Through her work, Jéssica is leaving a positive mark on Portucel Mozambique and on her own journey as a future leader in biodiversity conservation in Mozambique.