Media Advisory
May 30, 2018
Contact: Chelsea Mervenne at chelsea@corazonlatino.us or Sonia Rangel at sonia@corazonlatino.us
Sunday, June 10 from 2:30-5:30 PM
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (1900 Anacostia Ave SE, Washington, DC)
Multicultural Citizen Science and Restoration Event to Educate and Engage Diverse Communities from the DC Metropolitan Area in Forest Health and its connection to Human Health
Bilingual event will focus on education and monitoring of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species that is killing millions of trees in the US
(WASHINGTON, DC) Corazón Latino, a DC-based Latino-led organization focused on conservation and environmental education and outreach to diverse communities, and its partners, will host a bilingual (English and Spanish) afternoon of education, civic engagement, citizen science, and multicultural celebration at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC on June 10, 2018, from 2:30-5:30 P.M.
Together with USDA Forest Service scientists and educators, families from diverse backgrounds (predominantly Latino) from Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, will learn and act on ways to address issues around an invasive beetle known as the emerald ash borer. Originally from Asia, the emerald ash borer has destroyed millions of ash trees nationwide, reducing tree canopy, the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the wellbeing of communities across the United States. Participants will learn about invasive species identification, tree protection, forest restoration, and the important role trees and forests play in the health of our families and communities.
Participants will use citizen science apps such as iNaturalist to document the signs and symptoms of an invasive beetle known as the emerald ash borer, and tools such as iTree to quantify the ecosystem services lost as a result of the infestation.
Programming will include hands-on educational activities, outdoor fitness/dance, gifts to participants and traditional Latin American food.
All 4th graders will receive a free Every Kid in a Park pass to visit public lands, such as, forests, parks, and waters, until September 1.
What:
Reto Descubre el Bosque (Discover the Forest Challenge) Part 2: A Multicultural Celebration of Citizen Science, Tree/Forest Protection and Connection to Community Health
When:
Sunday, June 10
2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Where:
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
1900 Anacostia Ave SE
Washington, DC 20020
Who:
Corazón Latino, the USDA Forest Service - Forest Health Protection and Conservation Education staff, Parks RX America, Unity Health Care, the National Park Service, Hispanic Access Foundation, Anacostia Riverkeepers, GreenLatinos, and Latino Outdoors