As the nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) re-introduced her resolution today to designate the third week of September as “Latino Conservation Week”. “Latino Conservation Week” spotlights the Latino community’s efforts to preserve and develop public spaces and outdoor recreation, as well as the importance of equitable access to outdoor spaces.
“Latino Conservation Week recognizes the Latino community’s longstanding connection to nature and commitment to protecting the environment,” said Representative Barragán. “Every family deserves clean air, clean water, and access to parks and open spaces in their community. Latino communities have been strong voices for protecting the places we live, work, and enjoy, and this resolution celebrates that leadership. Protecting our public lands and natural spaces is a responsibility we all share, and it is a responsibility we must uphold for generations to come.”
“For thirteen years, Latino Conservation Week has made visible what was already true: Latino leaders are stewards of this country’s lands and waters," said Maite Arce, President & CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "We thank Representative Nanette Barragán for bringing this resolution to the House Floor. Official recognition matters because the future of public lands depends not only on access, but on whether Latino youth, families, and leaders have the agency to shape what happens next."
The resolution raises concerns about the significant environmental and health disparities experienced by Latino communities across the country, as well as their lack of access to urban parks, greenspaces, and the outdoors. Two out of three Latinos have stated that their health and the health of their families have been negatively affected by the high levels of air pollution and water contamination in their communities. Access and protection of natural spaces in Latino communities can help mitigate air pollution and extreme heat that exacerbates the pollution.
Representative Barragán reintroduced the resolution with the following cosponsors: Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), and Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.).
The resolution is supported by the Hispanic Access Foundation, Sierra Club, Sierra Nevada Alliance, Nature Forward, Sonoma Land Trust, BASE Landscape Architecture, Asociación Guatemaltecos Sin Fronteras, Retos Servicious de Educación Integral, PEACE New Jersey, Wasatch Community Gardens, Immigrant Network of Johnson County, Iglesia Bautista la Resurrección, Tampa Bay Kaya Anglers, Wilderness Workshop, Jesse Miranda Center, ProShow Disc Jockey Service, Iglesia Amistad, Huellas Latinas, Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative, Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, Iglesia Aliento de Vida, San Diego Bird Alliance, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Templo El Salvador de las Asambleas de Dios, City of Olympia, ID Latino Conservation Week Planning Committee, Latinos Aventureros de las Carolinas, Purpose en Español, Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, Nature Center of Watsonville, HawkWatch International, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, My Future Pathways, Regeneración – Pajaro Valley Climate Action, City of Pharr, Moms Clean Air Force – EcoMadres, Azul, GreenLatinos, Leave No Trace, Centro CHA Inc, Transformados En Cristo/FMC, and Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana.
