Hispanics are passionate about their public parks and open spaces. Parks are often the center of family life and activities, used as social settings for picnics and get-togethers with family and friends. As such, their protection ranks high on Hispanics' priority list. So, it's of little surprise to me when I see the results of polls, like the recent 2012 Colorado College Western States Survey, which shows that the protection of parks, clean air and water is a top issue for Latinos.

Some people were surprised by the pro-conservation findings of a recent Sierra Club-National Council of La Raza national poll of Latino voters. I wasn't, and you wouldn't be either if you saw the thrilled faces of the young people the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) and Denver-based Environmental Learning for Kids(ELK) took rafting in Colorado this summer. One trip down Class III rapids in Browns Canyon, and now these kids are vocal champions for the outdoors.

As 19-year-old Annalisa Martinez put it, "It's our job to be leaders." She made the comment after she and a group of her peers from a Catholic parish in Denver met with Colorado's U.S. senators on Capitol Hill for an environmental cause: urging federal protection for Browns Canyon in Colorado. Ranging in age from 12 to 19, the Latino youths from Denver's St. Cajetan Parish and an organization called Environmental Learning for Kids were brought together by the Washington-based Hispanic Access Foundation.

Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winner of the Los Angeles New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! The winner is Shelem Celis. How did she win?  Shelem went to the New Futuro College Summit at the Pasadena Convention Center in Los Angles on September 29^th.  She found the Hispanic Access Foundation booth and had her photo taken by one of our photographers. 

Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winner of the Houston New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! The winner is Liliana Lizeth Ibarra. How did she win?  Liliana went to the New Futuro College Summit at the Reliant Center in Houston on October 6^th.  She found the Hispanic Access Foundation booth and had her photo taken by one of our photographers. 

Hispanic Access Foundation is announcing the winners of the New York New Futuro Laptop Photo Contest! In New York there was a tie in the number of the most likes, with both contestants getting more than 1,200 likes each.  We are announcing Karol Emely Rodriguez as the first winner; the other winner's profile will be posted soon. A little about Karol: her mom is Peruvian and dad is Dominican. 

Congratulations to Elianeth Mary Brito. Brito, a 15-year-old 11^th grader from Miami, was born in Puerto Rico and wants to attend the University of Florida or the University of Central Florida to major in Creative Writing and minor in Drama.

In New York there was a tie for the number of the most likes, with both contestants getting more than 1,200 likes!  We are now announcing our second winner, Miss Ana Rodriguez. A little about Ana: She is Mexican- American and lives in the Bronx.  She’s currently a 10^th grader.  At her high school she is studying design and construction because she wants to be an architect. She wants to go to college in Florida.

On Nov. 9, the Department of the Interior released a plan that would require oil shale companies to provide solid proof that their activities will balance the state’s economic and environmental needs before starting any commercial exploitation. Reversing a Bush-era decision that would have given industry free reign on 2 million acres of public lands, BLM’s plan effectively protects 1.6 million acres of public land, as well as areas of critical wildlife habitat.

Talk about a statement!

Regardless of which political party you align yourself with, the 2012 presidential election proved that Latinos are a force that can’t be ignored or superficially placated as record numbers of Latinos went to the polls on Nov. 6 and cast their vote.

While this will undoubtedly serve as a wake up call to our nation’s politicians, it should also underscore the need of corporations, government institutions and other organizations in America to embrace Latinos as part of its consumer and civic base.