Corazón Latino and Hispanic Access Foundation kick off Latino Conservation Week with Administration Leadership
More than 250 people gather at Rock Creek Park Nature Center in Washington, D.C. to enjoy Latino food and music and learn about stewardship and conservation
Washington, D.C. – On Sunday, July 18, Corazón Latino, a Latino-led conservation and advocacy group, kicked off its Latino Conservation Week activities to celebrate connections with nature and their passions for preservation and healing of the lands and waters with a free, family-focused event, De Corazón a Corazón: Música, Naturaleza y Cultura (Heart to Heart: Music, Nature and Culture), at Rock Creek Park Nature Center in Washington, D.C.
More than 250 attendees turned out for the event, which was co-hosted by Hispanic Access Foundation, and enjoyed a breezy, sunny summer afternoon learning about the stewardship and conservation opportunities provided by Rock Creek Conservancy, Friends of Peirce Mill and Compost Crew and the US Forest Service, including Woodsy the Owl. The event took place from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.
About half the participants said that this was their very first visit to a national park, and more than 50 participated in a bilingual explorative hike led by NPS Park Ranger, Ana Chuquin. Educational visits were graciously provided by the Rock Creek Park Horse Center to dozens of children and their families during the event.
Under the shade of the forest canopy, guests enjoyed refreshing traditional lemon, mango, strawberry, and tamarind paletas (popsicles) from Neveria Michoacana and vegan mini empanadas by DC Corazon Fonda while enjoying iconic Hispanic tunes performed by internationally celebrated tenor, Jesus Daniel Hernandez and Trio Caliente.
Corazón Latino’s Executive Director, Felipe Benitez, welcomed guests, partners, and dignitaries with opening remarks about the importance of both protecting our public lands and waters and making our National Parks and Forests truly inclusive, to reflect our American tapestry and to serve as a refuge and outlet to promote mental health and well-being. “We're celebrating our love and care for nature, by honoring our Madre Tierra – Mother Earth – and our culture. This is an intentional act of togetherness following a complex year for families grappling with the pandemic,” he said.
Event Facts At a Glance:
Title: De Corazón a Corazón: Música, Naturaleza y Cultura (Heart to Heart: Music, Nature and Culture)
Date: July 18, 2021
Time: 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium in Washington, D.C.
Hosts: Corazón Latino, Hispanic Access Foundation
National Park Service
USDA Forest Service
Rock Creek Conservancy
Friends of Peirce Mill
VIP Guests in Attendance:
Chair Brenda Mallory, White House Council on Environmental Quality
Deputy Secretary of Interior, Tommy Beaudreau
Chief Vicki Christiansen, USDA Forest Service
Wendy O’ Sullivan, Superintendent of Chesapeake Bay Office, National Park Service
Support Partners:
Mundo Verde Families
Mexicanos in DC
DC Climate Reality
Compost Crew
Shrine of the Sacred Heart
Notable Quotes from the Event:
Tommy Beaudreau, Deputy Secretary of the Interior “We believe that our public lands belong to everyone. Yet, we know that many communities do not have equitable access to the benefits that our public lands and open spaces offer. Latino Conservation Week is important because it engages a community who loves the outdoors and the opportunities that public lands provide for families, making memories, rejuvenation, and spiritual connection with nature. As we stand guard against the loss of nature and wildlife habitat, we will also be addressing inequities in the access outdoors for communities of color. Not only is the vision of America the Beautiful inclusive, it’s also collaborative.”
Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council for Environmental Quality “There is a commonality about inclusiveness that runs through everything. The President’s vision is offering us a much-needed chance to summon our nation's shared love for our common home, do more to safeguard the places we love, and leave our country better stronger and healthier for generations to come.”
Wendy O’ Sullivan, Superintendent, NPS-Chesapeake Bay. “...All of those places are Chesapeake Gateways. They tell a piece of the story that adds up to what is special about this region. And they connect us both through culture and historic resources and the natural world. All of these places are yours. They should be welcoming; they should be inclusive and I am so proud to have partnered just about a year and half ago with Felipe and his team at Corazón Latino to make sure to make this kind of meaningful community engagement -- to begin to look inward and see how we can better represent Latino communities across the region.¨
Vicky Christiansen, Chief of the US Forest Service “Nature really matters and nature provides for all of us. We can make it last for everyone in the long run if we take care of it together. You are representative of all peoples taking care of our great assets, our natural resources and nature. We are working hard to see outside of ourselves. To improve our connectivity, to create a culture of inclusion -- that strengthens all peoples' connection to the land. Everyone should have an experience based on their culture and their traditions. That is what we are striving for across the federal government and the Forest Service is here to do our part.”
Frank Young, Deputy Superintendent of Rock Creek Park “...These 2,000 acres of forest land and 7 major stream valleys conform to the 3rd oldest park of those preserved by the National Parks System...welcoming about 2 million visitors yearly. Corazón Latino is committed to expanding diversity among Rock Creek visitors and throughout the NPS Park System.”
Maite Arce, Executive Director and Founder of the Hispanic Access Foundation “It's not just about protecting the land and the water and air. It’s also about the people. We are the ones who have the responsibility and opportunity to protect these places. Corazón Latino has proven its dedication to serving Latino communities and improving our mental health and wellness by increasing accessibility and nature stewardship opportunities such as the ones provided today. Hispanic Access Foundation is instrumental not only in providing visibility about how important the climate is to our Latino community, but also in providing a platform for organizations to create those events and break down the barriers' to share with all Americans. What does it look like for us when we are outside? Like this! Celebrating the outdoors in a a way that is important to us!”
Latino Conservation Week runs July 17 - 25. Corazón Latino’s activities for the 2021 Latino Conservation Week include family-friendly live music, connections with partner agencies supporting conservation, outdoor access and advocacy. A full summary of activities for Latino Conservation week may be found on Corazón Latino’s website.
WHO WE ARE
Corazón Latino is a national non-profit organization that seeks to generate social, environmental, and conservation initiatives that foster natural resource stewardship. Corazón Latino mobilizes the passion, love, unity, solidarity, and resources of individuals, communities, organizations, and government entities to advance the common good. Visit us at http://www.corazonlatino.us.
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