Elisha Mata

Something About Me

This Fall, I will be a rising fourth year UCSB student pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on environmental management and planning. My special interests include learning new strategies to democratize environmental knowledge, both politically and socially, within communities of color. Recently, I conducted research in Costa Rica on the local Olive Ridley sea turtles. My research included measuring the turtles, counting the eggs laid, and analyzing the state of the animal’s carapace. Throughout my research, I was able to immerse myself in the local culture and  learned about ways local residents practiced sustainability by using resources at-hand. For example,when I visited a local artisan who described how he transforms animal bones/hooves and plastics found on the beach into stylish and intricate pieces of jewelry. This kind of craftsmanship showed me how people around the world use their own native ecological knowledge to create a local sustainable economy. I am looking forward to a possible future that includes graduate school and using this newfound knowledge to advance my career in environmental management.