BC3 researcher Elena Galán took part in the 19th of May at the Herder festival and herder-scientist gathering – an especial encounter between shepherds and scientists in Olaszfalu, Hungary that congregated more than 30 participants.

The event, organized by the IPBES expert Zsolt Molnár and his team from the Traditional Ecological Knowledge research group from the Hungarian Institute of Ecology and Botany, addressed the importance of knowledge sharing between professionals from both fields and served to prepare the International Year of Range and Pastoralism in 2026.

During the two-day gathering, Elena Galán had the opportunity to share her experience shepherding in the French Pyrenees, where she worked as a salaried shepherdess during the summer season, taking care of approximately 500 sheep. 

“That time up in the mountain and isolated from the urban life where I come from was a mind-blowing experience both professionally and personally speaking. Shepherds’ local knowledge is priceless in terms of ecosystem conservation and it should be better integrated in decision-making driving sustainable grazing.” (Elena Galán, BC3 researcher)

After this life-changing expierence, Elena Galán highlighted her double hat during her presentation, as besides being a researcher she considers herself now one of the few Spanish shepherdess.

“More links between pastoralism and science need to be encouraged if we want to keep sustainable grazing. There is a gap between scientific theoretical knowledge and the knowledge arising from pastoralist practice and we should all make an effort to co-create and co-produce knowledge altogether for a better future.” (Elena Galán, BC3 researcher)