Each year the Hispanic Access Foundation hosts Latino Conservation Week, a celebration of community, Latinx culture, and conservation. We’re excited to partner with NY State Parks to commemorate the week (July 17-25) for a day out at Shirley Chisholm State Park! We’ll start off removing and learning about the invasive plants in the area and then cap it off with a bike ride throughout the parks (complimentary bikes will be provided). Please register on Eventbrite as space is limited!

Who: Desert Community Wellness

Bilingual Guided Walk at Dairy Mart Loop Trail

Please RSVP and contact Jorge Ayón if you would like to attend. There is limited capacity for this guided nature walk and spaces will fill up quick. This walk will kick off our series of events throughout the week. Dairy Mart Pond is a significant ecological space for wildlife in San Diego. The area is managed by San Diego County Parks and provides many miles of open trails and opportunities to observe nature. 

The Dairy Mart Loop Trail is 1 mile long and is takes about 1 hour to complete. The walk will be guided by Jorge Ayón, an intern for USFWS and local naturalist. This guided nature walk will be unique in that it will be bilingual and provide insights about wildlife and the regions history and significance in both English and Spanish. We ask that you bring comfortable, breathable clothes, hats, and wear sunscreen due to our current summer weather. Water and snacks will be provided on site and an EMT will also be present in the event of any medical issues. 

Please meet at the Dairy Mart Pond parking lot (North end) at least 10 minutes before the walk. The address for the parking lot is: 2564 Dairy Mart Road, San Diego CA 92154

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED **Registration Closes on Thursday, July 22nd,12pm MST**

During this limited in-person hike, Aaron Sidder will lead a discussion on the ecology of bats, where they live, what they do, and why they're important. Aaron will also bring in some tips for making your home/yard/park more bat-friendly as well as identify species bats in real time with an Echo Meter Touch Bat Detector.

Aaron Sidder is an ecologist for Bat Conservation International and a board member of Rocky Mountain Wild. He is an experienced field ecologist whose research has taken him to the Everglades, Southwestern deserts, and the top of the Rocky Mountains.

Bats face numerous threats in Colorado, such as habitat loss, wind energy development, and climate change. In addition, hibernating bats in Colorado may be impacted by white-nose syndrome (WNS), a pathogen that has killed millions of bats in the eastern and midwestern U.S. since 2006. WNS has not been detected in Colorado yet, but is now present in adjacent states. Join Latino Outdoors and Rocky Mountain Wild for a night of bat conservation and how you can help preserve these awesome pollinators.

You will need to bring a small backpack or bag to hold water, a face mask, anti mosquito protection of your choice, layers if necessary, a head lamp, and anything else you might need. We might be venturing off the designated trail, so boots would be advised (no sandals).

This event is free! Bat enthusiasts of all abilities and age 8+ are welcome with an adult.

About the Trail

Distance:~ 2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 0 ft

Max Elevation: 5,330 ft

Skill Level: Easy

Trail Use: Foot, bike

Facilities/Restrooms: The Garland Trailhead parking lot will have restrooms

Terrain Description: Flat, paved wide trail

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lo-colorado-evening-bat-conservation-hike-with-rocky-mountain-wild-tickets-163289279631 

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition and Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks are joining together to put on a family-friendly hike on July 23rd. If you are looking for a welcoming beginner hiking environment for you or your family then this is the hike for you! Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing and bring a full water bottle. Thunderstorms are common in the evenings in this area so be sure to bring a rain jacket if necessary.

We look forward to adventuring together!

Photo by Ryan Choi 

Come celebrate the contributions of the cultures of New Mexico to conservation. Join the CDTC and Step Into Cuba for a beginner community trail walk in Cuba, NM. Families and adventurers of all experience levels are welcome! We will meet at 6pm at Asisi park and go from there. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing and bring water. Thunderstorms are common in the evening this time of year so be sure to bring a rain jacket if needed. We are excited to share some outdoor time together!
(Cover photo by Whitney LaRuffa)

Get into the BUZZ! Bees provide more than just sweet honey!

Beeswax has been collected since Ancient Egypt & used for numerous application to support people & their well-being.

In this workshop attended will learn how to make two types of candles!

RSVP on EventBrite: https://bit.ly/3r9Vwc9