Celebrating Latino Conservation Week in Colorado

The Hispanic Access Foundation’s 8th annual Latino Conservation Week (LCW) is underway here in Colorado. From July 17 through July 25, Latino-led organizations across the state are hosting events to celebrate outdoor engagement and conservation advocacy by Latino communities. In Colorado, these events include fishing, photography, wildlife education, and more. LCW Colorado is part of a nationwide celebration that supports Latino communities, culture and conservation. This year several organizations from across the state, including Latino Outdoors, Defenders of Wildlife, Defiende Nuestra Tierra, HECHO and Protégete, have come together again to celebrate the intersection between the identity of Latino communities and nature. 

“Latino communities are passionate about the outdoors and hold a strong belief that we have a moral obligation to be good stewards,” said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. “Latino Conservation Week helps break down barriers for Latino communities to access public lands and waters, encourages new opportunities for engagement and inspires the next generation of environmental stewards. LCW was first launched in 2014 with 9 events, and has grown tremendously to 140+ events.”

“Latino Conservation Week helps break down barriers for Latino communities to access public lands and waters, encourages new opportunities for engagement and inspires the next generation of environmental stewards." - Maite Arce, President & CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation

The Latino population has grown to more than 60.6 million people  -- more than 18 percent of the nation’s population  --  and is projected to become nearly one-third of the population by 2050. Yet a 2020 Outdoor Industry Association report found that only 11.6 percent of Latinos were engaged in outdoor recreation activities. The future of public lands depends on engaging and welcoming our diverse youth and Latino communities to take care of it. The voice of the communities at the frontlines of climate change (Latino, Black, Indigenous communities and other communities of color) must be heard by national decision-makers. The platform created by Latino Conservation Week raises and highlights the voice of the Latino community in the decision-making process.

“Defiende Nuestra Tierra is excited to partner with the Hispanic Access Foundation once again to elevate the importance Latino Conservation Week on the western slope of Colorado,” said Beatriz Soto, Director of Defiende Nuestra Tierra. “Now more than ever we need to ensure our public lands are part of the climate solution, Latino and all BIPOC voices must be centered in this conversation. Time and time again, solutions have been created for us, without us at the decision-making table; as we face a warming planet, where many in our communities will be the most impacted, we no longer wish to perpetuate the status quo, we are ready to help create solutions that will serve ALL, we know that we need a just and equitable society in order to meet our climate goals and protect our land, air and land. ‘Nada para nosotros, sin nosotros’.”

“I find it inspiring to learn about all the ways how latinos, latinas, and latinx leaders across the country are influencing the environmental movement and ensuring that our voice is heard. Our identity as latinos is linked to nature and one can not exist without the other. We must continue to build an environmental movement that listens to our communities and centers environmental solutions on communities like ours,” said Juan Pérez Sáez, Senior Manager for Strategic Partnerships at The Wilderness Society. 

“The connection with nature feeds the spirit. Latino Conservation Week shows the importance of caring for the environment and natural resources. We all have the opportunity to enjoy and take care of our forests, parks and public lands, they belong to us all equally.” -Pita Pizano, Defiende Nuestra Tierra

“To me, conservation is love. Love, however, in the ways that Dr. Danielle Hodge defines it -- a liberatory love that requires truth telling, reconciliation with the past, and liberation for the future. I aim to reimagine conservation as justice for the people instead of another tool of oppression. And justice for the land so that it and all its kin, including us, can thrive.” -Emma Garcia Caldwell, Latino Outdoors

“Para mi la semana de la conservación es  importante por que nos encanta los paseos al aire libre , disfrutar de la naturaleza en compañía de mis hijos, esposo y amigos caminar en las montañas, parques y pescar en los lugares hermosos de Colorado. Sembramos en nuestro propio jardín de la comunidad también yo reciclo para proteger nuestra naturaleza como son los lagos, parques y dejarles estos buenos ejemplos a mis  hijos y nietos.” -Lorena Osario, Protégete

More than 200 parks, organizations and community groups nationwide have joined Latino Conservation Week as partners and sponsors. In Colorado, The Wilderness Society supports the work led by partner organizations including Latino Outdoors, Defenders of Wildlife, Defiende Nuestra Tierra, HECHO, and Protégete. 

The activities span several states and a full listing of events is available at www.LatinoConservationWeek.com. Celebrate online by following #LatinoConservationWeek and #LCW2021 on social media.