The Hispanic Access Foundation has announced its 9th annual Latino Conservation Week. The program is organized with the help of dozens of community, non-profit, faith-based, and government organizations, and agencies.
During July 16-24, the National Park Service is encouraging everyone to explore a park, learn about Latino leaders in the conservation field, find a conservation event happening outdoors or online, or research parks and historical sites with Latino heritage.
The celebration of Latino heritage is being held throughout national parks entrusted to the agency’s management. The goal is to help inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
The annual initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation is designed to engage Hispanics/Latinos in National Park Service recreational activities and stewardship that benefit their local communities and parks. Latino Conservation Week also emphasizes the community’s role in conservation.
According to a press release, the National Park Service aims to strengthen opportunities for Latino communities to show their support and commitment to protecting natural, cultural, and recreational resources and inspire the next generation of stewards.
Latino Conservation Week helps break down barriers for Latino communities to access public lands and waters, encourages opportunities for engagement, and inspires the next generation of environmental stewards. This year’s event slogan is Disfrutando y Conservando Nuestra Tierra, which means Enjoying and Conserving Our Land.
“A lot of the Latino community do live in nature-deprived areas,” Juan Rosas, an HSF conservation program associate, told Public News Service. “So, to be able to take them hiking and fishing, camping – have virtual events, webinars, educational resources that they can firsthand experience – is the goal of Latino Conservation Week.”
According to Public News Service, many of the events in California touch on environmental justice themes, since so many Latinos labor in manufacturing and agriculture – industries that often pollute the air and water in nearby communities.
“It started in 2014 with nine events,” said Rosas. “And this year, in year nine, it looks like we’re just nearing 200 events that are going on, all around the United States. So, we’re so excited.”
Although the Latino population has grown to more than 60.6 million people — more than 18 percent of the nation’s population — an Outdoor Industry Association report found that only 11.6 percent of Latinos were engaged in outdoor recreation activities.
According to Latino Conservation Week, communities at the frontlines of climate change (Latino, Black, Indigenous) must be heard by national decision-makers.
The activities span several states and a full listing of events is available at www.LatinoConservationWeek.com.
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