Bela Sanchez

Environmental Studies @UW, interested in restoration #agriculture, #foodhubs, and #sustainable food systems. Passionate about dogs in my free time.

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

I'm tired. I am supposed to reflect on my capstone, but I can't, and I don't know when I will. For now, I am just trying to keep breathing, and reminding myself that that in and of itself is a privilege. Be gentle with yourselves, y'all. #ENVIR492

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

Our program is overwhelmingly white, and even more overwhelmingly non-black. It's a fact that troubles me, and it's one of the biggest things I've learned in my time at UW. How can we advocate for equity with so many voices missing from the conversation? #ENVIR492

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

I have felt incredibly fortunate to have the POE faculty as my leaders, and I am eternally grateful to them for their inimitable teaching. But I have also noticed the faces that are not there. What are we doing about it? Hopefully something, and soon. #ENVIR492

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

@KaelynThede @farmer_nat I'm so glad! Thank you for taking an interest! #ENVIR492

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

@farmer_nat BEST gal!! Grateful for your friendship and everything I learn from you! #ENVIR492

[Kaelyn Thede @KaelynThede]

It is extremely hard to put focus on my #POEcap while there are so many other pressing issues going on #ENVIR492

[Conor Courtney @ConorC_POE]

Biggest surprise of #POECap was @ClinchDuke’s haircut amiright #ENVIR492

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

My breakout room partner @AliceqzUW absolutely crushed it on Wednesday--it was a delight to learn about how beluga whale calls could be a vital component of understanding their behavior, social structures, and geographic distribution! #ENVIR492

[Nick Estes @nickwestes]

We don’t live in a “free” country, never have.

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

The available scientific evidence is incongruent with the lived experience of managed grazing practitioners. There is a need to balance the observational evidence of practitioners & the randomized experiments of science to further knowledge in this field. #POEcap #ENVIR492 (6/6)

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

However, managed grazing is also more land intensive and more time consuming, according to one farmer. Furthermore, there is no consistent data illustrating increased species richness, biodiversity, or carbon sequestration capacity. #POEcap #ENVIR492 (5/6)

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

Different grazing systems provide different benefits to the farmer. While continuous grazing has the highest gross yields of both plant and animal matter, rotational grazing is more likely to promote biodiversity and ecological function. #POEcap #ENVIR492 (4/6)

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

From July to December of 2019, I worked as the livestock intern at SkyRoot Farm. I ran a grazing experiment with goats and chickens, interviewed managed grazing practitioners, and conducted a literature review to assess benefits and challenges. #POEcap #ENVIR492 (3/6)

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

Despite myriad posited benefits including improved soil fertility, the ecological impact and climate mitigation capacity of managed grazing remain inconclusive. So, I asked: What are the benefits and challenges of utilizing a managed grazing system? #POEcap #ENVIR492 (2/6)

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

Industrial meat production drives 15% of global carbon emissions. Managed livestock grazing offers an alternative meat production system with improved health for the planet, animals, and human beings. #POEcap #ENVIR492 (1/6)

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

An endorsement from Liz Landefeld herself?! Couldn't be more honored. #ENVIR492 #POECap

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

One farmer told me that he thinks "sustainability isn't enough. We're working to regenerate and improve the environment, not keep it the same." Wondering how livestock fit into that mission? I'll be sharing my findings in the first session! #ENVIR492

[Bela Sanchez @bela8299]

The #POECap symposium is nearly here! Wednesday on Zoom I'll finally get to share the work I've been doing since April of last year!! #ENVIR492