Celebrate Latino Conservation Week

7/19/2021

Latino Conservation Week (July 17-25, 2021) provides an opportunity for Latino communities to come together and demonstrate their passion for our natural, cultural and recreational resources.

At Interior, this week is an opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on the contributions that the Latino community has made to conservation and stewardship across the Department.

Here are a few ways you can celebrate Latino Conservation Week with us!

Visit public lands and learn how to keep these special places and each other healthy by recreating responsibly.

Get outside and enjoy your public lands this Latino Conservation Week. But before you do, learn how to navigate parks, find events and plan like a park ranger. Parks are very busy this summer, so a little trip planning can ensure that your only surprises are happy ones.

Connect with nature at a national park, wildlife refuge or local park, learn about wildlife conservation, become a Park Health Ambassador or join guided programs.

Ranger with a fishing rod and bait. — Ranger Miguel Marquez shares fishing tips for “*Vamos A Pescar*” (Let’s Go Fishing), an annual event celebrating Latino Conservation Week at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Research a park or place with Latino heritage to learn more about the community’s relationships with public lands.

Latino heritage and experiences are a vital aspect of America's rich and diverse past. Discover the remarkable stories that are preserved in our national parks and historic places.

Limestone aqueduct with arches carries water over Six Mile Creek below — The Espada Aqueduct located at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States. Photo by National Park Service.

Share the importance of Latino Conservation Week with family and friends and help inspire others to participate in conservation efforts.

Share conservation stories, outdoor recreation tips and the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace with your friends and family.

White and green camper in a desert landscape — Many locations that may not have required reservations before may do so now. Be a courteous camper: check for updates and reservation requirements. Photo by Sarthak Mishra (sharetheexperience.org).

Work with members of the Latino community through volunteer programs or individual volunteer projects.

Get involved in the conservation of public lands and your community through volunteer projects and citizen science. Participate in an event or find volunteer opportunities near you. With your help, we can enjoy our public lands while preserving them for future generations!

Park ranger in a mask helps a child apply a stamp. — A park ranger helps new Junior Rangers stamp the certificate on their Junior Ranger activity booklet. Photo by Justine Hanrahan, National Park Service.

Learn about Latino conservationists at Interior and beyond.

We invite you to learn about a few of the Latino conservationists who represent us across Interior and conserve America’s natural resources every day.

#WeAreUSFWS amplifies the voices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s workforce and leaders in conservation and #SomosUSFWS features Latino employees making their mark in conservation. Discover their stories or watch the #SomosUSFWS video.

You can also learn about Latino conservationists at Interior by reading the National Park Service’s Meet Latino Conservationists series or by checking out mini-biographies from past Hispanic Access Foundation interns.

Tanya Helbig and Jazciel Solis taking a selfie, Ranger Chantelle Ruidant-Hansen with a sheep — Tanya Helbig (left), Jazciel Solis (center), Chantelle Ruidant-Hansen (right). Photos by National Park Service.

Engage with Latino Conservation Week posts on social media.

Share what you want to protect and how you connect with nature during Latino Conservation Week using the hashtags #LCW2021, #LatinoConservationWeek, #WeAreUSFWS / #SomosUSFWS, and #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque.