For the past 10 years, the week of July 15 through July 23rd has been recognized as Latino Conservation Week - An initiative led by the Hispanic Access Foundation to further amplify the presence of Latinos in the outdoors. During this time organizations and community groups across the country have gathered and participated in various events to promote conservation efforts in their local environments.
Latinos have long been stewards of land, water, and air. Highlighting the work that Latinos are doing to preserve natural spaces and protect natural resources has served an important role in deepening this community’s relationship to the outdoors and creating new connection points for folks who may have not otherwise had an opportunity to connect with nature.
In honor of Latino Conservation Week, we spoke to Josie (San Antonio Regional Coordinator) and Bianca (Program Coordinator) of Latino Outdoors about the history of Latino Outdoors, the work that they do and why it’s important to build an inclusive outdoors:
Who is Latino Outdoors? What goals do you hope to achieve in the work that you do?
Bianca: For me, it’s Community, Culture and the Outdoors. That’s what drew me in. Finding a place that could merge all 3 things. San Antonio was the perfect place to do that. The opportunity to provide a space and build that. It provides the stage for the outdoors. We’re all actors and we create the play. What can we use, what can we do to bring the community together?
Josie: For me it came around when I didn't know I needed it. It was a healing organization that incorporated nature with familia, cultura y community. It allowed me to meet people from all walks of life that are all Latinos with similarities in our upbringing. I’m from a border town so my version of the outdoors wasn’t national parks, or RVs or yearly vacations. It was running around the neighborhood, eating paletas and running through the rancho. Things like that which are also outdoorsy and helped us grow closer to nature.
What led you or influenced you to pursue conservation?
Josie: Not realizing that there was enough of it out there. I had no clue what conservation was. We’ve always had practices in protecting our environment but I wasn’t taught that it could be a career field.. No one said “Hey, you can go into this”. I didn’t think I could go into conservation or work at a park. There was more emphasis on traditional roles. It felt like I discovered it too late in my life. Learned about it too late. But I ended up here anyway!
Bianca: I’m still navigating my own roles within conservation. My main job isn’t in the outdoors, it’s in the medical field. Latino Outdoors is my passion, my hobby. Conservation is important to me because I want to make sure these spaces exist for our future generations. Memories I've made in beautiful lands in Texas.. I want others to have that at a higher extent. It means making sure these places exist and educating our community on why it's important to preserve it and leave it better than you found it. Nature heals and gives us so much. I want to make sure that we maintain it. Every organism is a contributing part to how the world functions and making sure we take care of that is necessary.
Do you think there are many opportunities in conservation for Latinos?
Josie: The door has been kicked open. It has slowly opened. It’s still work to find yourself in these spaces. I’ve seen a little bit more of it but there’s still a lot that needs to be done. The dial hasn’t moved all the way. I’m just starting to see more Latin organizations and more women present in those spaces. We support each other very well in these roles because we know that they’re so slim. Supporting each other helps us push the movement forward.
Bianca: From what I’ve seen, the doors are opening more and more. Because the conversation is being had louder and more often. Latinos are stepping forward to say they belong here as well. And based on our ancestors, we’ve been here. We’ve been conservationists. Doors are opening, maybe not as much as we’d like but Latinos are not giving up on that movement going forward.
As a member of Latino Outdoor, what are some events or activities y’all do for conservation or connection?
Josie: I joined the Audubon board and the Texas Parks NPCA (National Parks Conservation Association) council. They want us on board, they want us to be heard. To just be able to share these spaces is huge. We want to make sure its authentic and real. What is it that they want from us? Do they really want to work with us and spread the word?
Latino Outdoors partners with a lot of different organizations. We don’t always have the bandwidth but we ask, how else can we support them? We might not always be involved but we’re create a partnership in some way.
What is your proudest accomplishment when it comes to conservation?
Bianca: When people attending events walk out knowing more about conservation, leave no trace or how to maintain parks.
Josie: It’s important for us to get a Latin ranger when we’re out on trips so that families can know that there’s Latinos in these roles. That for us is huge cause you don’t know how it might impact a child. Doing the work with those happy faces and smiles. They naturally pick things up. Opening the door for them and peering in is the opening to so much more.
Do you think it's important for Latinos to be involved in conservation? If so, why?
Bianca: Yes. I don’t see why it wouldn't be important. Our ancestors and family members have found practices to maintain the earth without harming it. We bring in a diverse mind and a different perspective.
Josie: It’s so important. My dad was a migrant worker. Your hands are in the ground. You’re starting from the bottom up. Learning how to heal with the land. Latinos were so tapped into the medicinal aspects of land and it’s so important to have our voice here.
What are some other groups or organizations amplifying Latinos in conservation?
Josie: There’s so many! Green Latinos is doing a great job. Even some of our friends. We have a friend who’s part of Black Outside but he’s always sending me information for Latino Outdoors. It cross pollinates so much. Black Outside does a lot of great work with kids. There’s so many wonderful organization, you just have to tap into them. Once you start that honest connection and create a partnership you’ll stay active in the work.
Bianca: Yeah, there's so many. The Trail Conservancy. We did a kayaking river clean up and that was awesome. They do it throughout the year as well as planting or invasive removal. Organizations that aren’t rooted in conservation but are rooted in the outdoors also help amplify our message. And of course, The Hispanic Access Foundation who started Latino Conservation Week 10 years ago!
Do you think there are obstacles that Latinxs have when it comes to conservation? If so, what is some advice you have for them?
Bianca: Yes. We’re always faced with obstacles. Personally, we’re not really given a seat at the table. We’re not given the opportunity to showcase all our potential. We’re constantly fighting to have our voices heard, uplifted and amplified.
Josie: It's almost backwards. You have to do all the work to prove it in order to have it be realized. It's harder for us because it's not seen until we work to show that. Be patient and work hard and don’t lose sight of what really matters. If you put in the work then somebody will notice and if nobody notices it's their loss because you made a difference somewhere. IF the president didn't notice but you changed the life of 10 kids then that’s all that matters. How you make people listen to you is an action that goes a long way.
Visit Latino Outdoors to learn more about their work and participate in their offerings!
Pease Park Conservancy will be leading a Bilingual Conservation Walk for anyone interested in learning more about the native flora of park as well as the conservation projects taking place. This event is free and open to all!
