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Come meet your local forest rangers!
Latino Conservation Week is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and learn how you can help protect our land, water and air. To celebrate LCW 2018, the Coconino National Forest will hold an Outreach event at the Market of Dreams Farmers Market, more events to follow!
NPS: Latino Conservation Week
Each year in mid-July, join us in celebrating Latino Conservation Week! Launched by Hispanic Access Foundation in 2014, the nine-day celebration is designed to encourage everyone, especially the Latino community, to enjoy and explore our public lands, and to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Discover stories of American Latino Heritage told throughout the National Park System. The Hispanic Access Foundation can help you find a Latino Conservation Week event at a national park or on other public lands near you.
Check out the NPS site here!
NPS' Latino Conservation Week Video!
My Public Lands: BLM CELEBRA LA SEMANA LATINA DE CONSERVACIÓN (LATINO CONSERVATION WEEK)
Para celebrar la semana Latina de conservación, queremos compartir los eventos del BLM de este año. Estamos orgullosos de colaborar con compañeros de otras agencias y organizaciones para que toda la comunidad pueda visitar sus lugares públicos.
We’re in the middle of Latino Conservation Week and excited to share with you this year’s BLM-sponsored events to celebrate the week. The BLM is proud to collaborate with partners to provide opportunities for all to experience public lands.
California:
- July 14: “Entre Gigantes” Redwoods Tour, Ukiah
- July 14: Elkhorn Slough Kayaking, Monterey Bay
- July 16: Endangered Species of the Desert, Mecca
- July 17: Scorpion Hunt, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
- July 21: “Bajo las Estrellas” Stargazing & Campout, Ukiah
- July 22: Cache Creek Rafting Trip, Ukiah
Colorado:
New Mexico:
Utah:
- May 11-12: San Rafael Swell Raft Trip
Check it out! My Public Lands tumblr site here!
Ukiah Daily Journal: BLM Ukiah Field Office to highlight Latino Conservation Week with family friendly events
The Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office, Hispanic Access Foundation and partners invite the public to come out and celebrate Latino Conservation Week, from July 14-21.
On July 14 at 10 a.m., join the BLM, Hispanic Access Foundation, Latino Outdoors and Tuleyome for “Entre Gigantes” or “A Walk Among Giants” at Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve, Ukiah.
Immerse in the majesty of some of the world’s tallest trees and enjoy a bilingual interpretive tour of the coast redwoods, while hiking on a two-mile loop trail. Bring water and wear appropriate shoes and clothing.
On July 22 at 9 a.m., the BLM, Hispanic Access Foundation and Tuleyome celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Forty spaces are available for the rafting trip provided by Cache Canyon River Guide. RVSP for this event by emailing MjpaConsulting@gmail.com.
Due to recent wildland fire activity, check the National Wildfire Coordinating Group website at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or CAL FIRE’s webpage at http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents to ensure these events are not being impacted.
The BLM believes partnerships and inclusion are vital to managing sustainable, working public lands. These free events encourage the public to get outdoors, learn about natural resources and connect kids to public lands, which connects them to natural and cultural heritage. Contact the BLM for reasonable accommodations to participate in these events. For more information, call the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016—more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.
Full story here
La Prensa de Colorado: LATINOS DEJAN CONSTANCIA DE SU PASIÓN POR LA NATURALEZA
Con el objetivo de dar a conocer la perspectiva de la comunidad latina sobre el medio ambiente, así como la necesidad de proteger los ríos naturales y tierras públicas para las generaciones futuras, fue que recientemente se llevó a cabo la celebración anual de “Latino Conservation Week”, donde en alrededor de 100 eventos se efectuaron por todo Estados Unidos, siendo Colorado una de las sedes también.
Por ello, con el apoyo y recursos de la Fundación Acceso Hispano, alrededor de 60 hispanos pudieron darle vida a la celebración en su quinta edición anual y disfrutar de un día en Golden –al oeste de Colorado- y hacer actividades en el rio Clear Creek, donde niños, jóvenes y adultos recorriendo el mágico lugar con sus respectivas llantas.
El evento que estuvo liderado por Linda Sosa, desde muy temprano inició la odisea, en la misma Iglesia San Cayetano, donde el Padre Heriberto Torres se encargó de darles la bendición a los participantes, antes de salir rumbo a Golden.
“Las comunidades latinas son apasionadas por la naturaleza y creen en la obligación moral de ser buenos administradores de nuestros recursos”, dijo Maite Arce, Directora Ejecutiva y fundadora de la Fundación Acceso Hispano, en torno a este evento.
Por su parte, Linda Sosa, mencionó que siempre Maite Arce, a través de la Fundación Acceso Hispano han apoyado a la comunidad hispana de Colorado, brindándoles los recursos para hacer un sinfín de actividades, tanto del medio ambiente, como otros “y en esta ocasión fue para celebrar un aniversario más de la protección del medio ambiente y lo más hermoso siempre es la participación de nuestros y jóvenes, que van descubriendo lo que nuestros recursos naturales nos ofrecen y al convivir con sus padres el mensaje es más claro y la convivencia más fuerte, donde también aprendemos a tomar mayor responsabilidad sobre nuestro medio ambiente y conocemos de lugares que nos brindan la diversión, nos educamos más sobre el tema y agradecemos a la Fundación Acceso Hispano por brindarnos estos recursos”.
Se realizaron una serie de actividades y hablaron la campaña “Protéjanos los Fresnos”, donde Susana Arreola dijo, que uno de cada seis árboles en Denver es un fresno. Si no hacemos algo, es solo cuestión de tiempo antes de que TODOS sean devorados por el barrenador esmeralda de fresno.
La Prensa de Colorado fue el único medio presente a esta actividad, cumpliendo con su objetivo que es recopilar las mejores actividades de nuestra comunidad hispana.
“Esta fue una oportunidad para disfrutar, honrar y conmemorar nuestra herencia ambiental”, agregó Arce. Cerca de 80 parques, organizaciones y grupos comunitarios se unieron a ‘Latino Conservation Week’ como socios y patrocinadores.
Full story here
KXNT: Lake Mead Celebrates Latino Conservation Week It's An Initiative By The Hispanic Access Foundation To Celebrate Latino Cultures
BOULDER CITY, NV (KXNT) – Lake Mead National Recreation Area is celebrating Latino Conservation Week with a virtual film festival and bilingual activities at the Lake Mead Visitor Center.
The week, which runs July 14-22, is an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation that celebrates the role of Latino cultures in conservation and stewardship.
The film festival can be viewed on the park’s facebook account at facebook.com/lakemeadnps.
“The films were selected to showcase the intrinsic beauty of the planet, cultural traditions and commitments to resource stewardship with the global preservation community,” said Aiyesha Ghani, Lake Mead’s Latino heritage intern. “They encapsulate and illustrate the journey, narrative and values that are at the core of Latino cultures as they relate to conservation of our public lands.”
In addition to the online film festival, Ghani will join rangers at the visitor center July 16-19 to meet with visitors to discuss volunteer opportunities, answer questions about the park and to introduce them to some of the park’s native plants. Kids can also participate in Junior Ranger program to earn their own Junior Ranger badge.
“As a Latina, I’m proud to share the contributions, perspectives and stories of our people with my fellow Americans,” said Ghani.
Visitors are encouraged to show off their Latino Conservation Week experience by using the hashtag #LCW2018.
Full story here
Arizona Daily Sun: Latino Conservation Week comes to Flagstaff
The Coconino National Forest is bringing a new series of free, family friendly activities to learn more about the great outdoors as part of the nationwide Latino Conservation Week.
The awareness week supports Latinos in outdoor recreation and natural resource conservation.
The Sun spoke to local organizer Estephany Campos, lead interpretive ranger for the Coconino National Forest.
Campos: Originally I was contacted by the Arizona Trail Association as someone who could help with outreach to Latino folks. That’s how I found out about Latino Conservation Week. It’s only my second season working with the Forest Service, and I’ve been working with another Forest Service employee, Bridget Roth, to try to diversify our audience, so this is the perfect opportunity.
One of the main reasons the Latino community doesn’t come out is resources -- there’s no transportation, parents are usually always working, so it’s very difficult.
I’m partnering up with Market of Dreams and Latino Outdoors. The first event is going to be a booth at the weekly farmers market and we’ll be doing outreach and meeting the community.
How did your own experiences outdoors inspire you to reach out to others?
Campos: A lot of folks don’t know that these opportunities exist. I didn’t.
I grew up in South Central Los Angeles, in a low-income Latino community. I grew up in a family where both my parents were immigrants from Mexico and they were working all the time or they didn’t really know about the outdoors or didn’t have a connection to the outdoors.
I was always fascinated by science, and I wanted to be an environmentalist, and I wanted to work outside, but that was me as a kid.
Eventually when I got to college, I met some friends who were in the Boy Scouts and they were like, “You’ve never been camping? Let’s take you camping!”
I realized I have to make an effort to go outside to learn more about the natural world, which is why I think it’s important for the Forest Service to have a presence somewhere in the Latino community.
It’s not in the forest, it’s a parking lot or a community center, but this is just the start to plant the seed.
A lot of it stems from my background and seeing the lack of diversity in my office and among forest visitors. It led me to believe that there was something missing, that there was definitely a gap.
There needs to be an extra push for outreach to these certain communities. This has become my personal project now.
Are interpretive signs and guided hikes available in Spanish?
Campos: I have a group of volunteer rangers who lead hikes -- known as the Roving Rangers -- and it’s an interpretive partnership between the National Park Service and the National Forest. We’re a group of about 10-15 folks, and every weekend we have free campground talks at three of our local campgrounds and we host hikes sometimes.
So during these hikes, I have gotten requests for Spanish. There was a family from Colombia who asked Snowbowl if they could provide a Spanish-language talk up there -- and who else but me?
Usually we walk around the campground and we announce our program, and I’ve heard families speaking in Spanish, and I approach them and I talk to them in English first and then I’ll hear some murmuring and then I’ll be like, “I speak Spanish,” and they’re surprised. I say if they need translation, I will translate.
I think that’s something only I can do because I’m the only Spanish speaking ranger.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy the forest?
Campos: I like going on long hikes with good company.
Being outdoors has a good, huge impact on my mental health. It’s kind of like an escape, a good, deep breath.
Full story here
Bethesda magazine: Weekend Events: Marilyn Maye at AMP by Strathmore; Summer Sidewalk Sale on Bethesda Lane; SportsFest at Bohrer Park
Healthy Parks, Healthy People 5k Fun Run/Walk—Sunday morning—Brookside Gardens, Wheaton
As part of the kick off for Latino Conservation Week, Latino Outdoors and Brookside Gardens is hosting a 5k fun run and walk through the garden’s HeartSmart Trail at Brookside Gardens on Sunday morning. Latino Conservation Week is aimed at increasing outdoor opportunities for the Latino community.
Runners can choose to participate in the 7 or 9 a.m. 5k. On-site registration for the 7 a.m. 5k begins at 6:30 a.m. and on-site registration begins at 8:30 for the 9 a.m. start. Admission is free.
Full story here
Public News Service: Latino Conservation Week Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
LOS ANGELES – The fifth annual Latino Conservation Week kicks off this Saturday with events in California and across the nation. The celebration starts with a launch event hosted by the group Nature for All, cleaning up part of the Los Angeles National Forest.
Jenny Brandt is deputy director of conservation programs with the Hispanic Access Foundation, the group that started the week. She says it's a chance to feature the communities' commitment to protecting the environment.
"We started Latino Conservation Week because we wanted to throw a spotlight on the really strong conservation values held by the Latino community," says Brandt.
Brandt says it's also a chance for agencies like the National Park Service to showcase nearby parks that Latino families can enjoy. The observance runs through July 22nd. A full list of events is online at 'latinoconservationweek.com.'
Kimberly Orbe is a graduate of Nature for All's leadership academy and she'll be bringing students to Los Angeles National Forest for the Saturday kickoff event. Orbe says learning about public lands and how to appreciate and treat them has a big impact on young people.
"I think that really teaches students and youth ownership of taking care of the land, and I think it's so beneficial to get all youth across the board,” says Orbe, “whether it's elementary, middle-school or high-school students – out there to really enjoy what's theirs, because they grow up not being told that it's theirs."
On Saturday night Christine Tamara, San Bernardino County project coordinator with the Hispanic Access Foundation, will be bring kids to the Sky's the Limit Observatory in Joshua Tree National Park for stargazing; and next Thursday, she'll lead the Whitewater Preserve River Walk.
Tamara says every time she takes kids out, they get very excited to see wildlife – something they may not have experienced before.
"To experience it live, you know,” says Tamara, “not through a phone or a tablet – I feel like it's something that they need and also, they get an appreciation of being outside."
Other California events will be held at the San Gabriel River, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.
Eric Tegethoff, Public News Service - CA
Public News Service: Latino Conservation Week Celebrates Contributions to Stewardship
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Latinos are expected to make up nearly a third of the U.S. population by 2050, according to Census projections. So conservation groups want to ensure that Latinos stay engaged in environmental stewardship.
Latino Conservation Week starts this Saturday, and aims to bring these communities outdoors and showcase Latino-led environmental efforts. Polling from Colorado College shows Latinos in Western states overwhelmingly support protections for public lands and wildlife.
But Jenny Brandt, deputy director of conservation programs with the Hispanic Access Foundation, says their contributions to stewardship don't always get recognition.
"That's something that we know is a cultural value, but I think is something that isn't understood overall,” says Brandt. “And so we really want to show that."
Latino Conservation Week runs through July 22. Environmental groups, churches, and community organizations will host events at public parks, wildlife refuges and other natural areas around the country. Find events online at 'latinoconservationweek.com.'
Latinos are often underrepresented in environmental professions, and in visiting public lands. The National Park Service estimates only about one in 10 of its visitors is Latino.
But after four years of growing participation in Latino Conservation Week, Brandt says she's seen how simply introducing people to the natural resources in their area can make a big difference.
"Once we get a group out to a local park or a local refuge, and they learn about these resources that are really close to them, but that they might not have had knowledge about, they continue to go back to those places and they really become stewards of those places," says Brandt.
Events in Nevada include a picnic at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park on Sunday, a party hosted by local nonprofits in Las Vegas on Monday, and more. Clark County commissioners, at next week's meeting, are scheduled to recognize July as Latino Conservation Month.
Katherine Davis-Young, Public News Service - NV
Full story here
