“Nature, in the manifold signification of the word - whether considered as the universality of all that is and ever will be - as the inner moving force of all phenomena, or as their mysterious prototype - reveals itself to the simple mind and feelings of man as something earthly, and closely allied to himself.”
bellapritchard.com is a creative endeavor centered around natural resource stewardship, land cultivation, and building community in your ecosystem.
Age: 26
Home: Coeur d’Alene, ID
My interest in Natural Resources began when I was growing up in Napa Valley, a viticulture center of the world, yet a warm small farming town. The rolling hills, rows of grape vines, and endless biking trails lent itself to a beautiful childhood. My father, a trained forester and hunter-naturalist, exposed me and my two siblings to the responsibility undertaken by enjoying our outdoor adventures.
Sprouting
I grew up with a strong value system to leave no trace, take note of my environment, and be a good steward of the ecosystem around me. I earned a B.S. in Soil Science and Water Conservation at Montana State and went on to join a university research team. 2020 had a dramatic shift in many lives. After a lot of reflection, I switched job paths, moved states, and settled into my new chapter, living amongst the vast lakes of northern Idaho.
Growing roots
My yellow lab and boyfriend join me on weekend outdoor adventures. From flyfishing to rugby tournaments and hiking, we find a way to get our weekend zoomies out. I do not own land, yet I dream of my future home on acreage. While living in a rental, I balance setting up temporary or semi-permanent urban gardens and volunteering at the community garden to gain access to fresh produce and new friends. I love visiting property owners during site visits for work and hearing their tales of what has gone well, the challenges they face, and their own dreams for their land. I hope to share what I have learned from my time in the research field, digging soil pits, monitoring water quality, and having conversations with various folks. Most of all, I hope to learn from you as we dive into the ups and downs of land stewardship. If you own land, rent property, manage crop production, or just like to go for walks in the woods, consider this our literary playground to test ideas, share resources, and join forces to keep the environment we love thriving.
With light and love,
Bella