Sierra Club Celebrates Return of Latino Conservation Week

OAKLAND, CA — July 16–24 marks the annual return of Latino Conservation Week, sponsored by the Hispanic Access Foundation. The week-long event, which first launched in 2014, includes a slate of activities nationwide, from hiking and camping to community gathering, to support Latino/a communities establishing connections with nature and promote the permanent protection of land, water, and air. This year’s event slogan is "Disfrutando y Conservando Nuestra Tierra," which means "Enjoying and Conserving Our Land,” and includes both in-person and virtual events. To find an event, go to LatinoConservationWeek.com.

In recognition of Latino Conservation Week, Ramón Cruz, President of Sierra Club, released the following statement: 

“From Indigenous stewardship of this country’s landscapes to the ongoing struggle for environmental justice, Latino/a communities and Latino/a activists have been crucial to our work to address climate change and to build a more inclusive, equitable, and just environmental movement. Latino Conservation Week gives us the opportunity to recognize that work, but we must not limit those recognitions – or the stories we celebrate – to just this week.

“Many Latino/a communities are on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing disproportionate levels of pollution, extreme weather, and a lack of access to green spaces. Those same communities must be at the forefront of this movement to secure a healthy planet where all can thrive.

“The Sierra Club and other major environmental organizations must use our platforms to elevate the voices of these communities and activists. Our work can only succeed if it is done together, seeking change through solidarity. We will continue to work with those we are celebrating this week to secure the futures of our lands, waters, and air for generations to come.”