The mist-enshrouded peaks of the Virunga Mountains are part of one of Africa’s earliest protected natural areas. Known for an active chain of volcanoes, Virunga National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorilla and more than 300 other faunal and floral species. Historian Justin M. Jacobs shows how together with the adjacent lands of Volcanoes National Park, made famous by the fieldwork of zoologist Dian Fossey, Virunga provides a tense yet majestic backdrop for the competing demands of economic development and ecological preservation. The Smithsonian Associates online presentation takes place November 4 beginning at 6:45 pm, and is $25 for Smithsonian members, $35 for nonmembers. Register at https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/virunga-national-park