Washington, D.C. – In recognition of Latino Conservation Week, an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation, League of Conservation Voters’ (LCV) Chispa National Director Ernesto Vargas issued the following statement:

“Latino Conservation Week provides us with the opportunity to shatter stereotypes about who we are as environmentalists, conservationists and collectively get back to our roots of, not only fighting for, but enjoying nuestra Madre Tierra while revisiting the places we hold dear and exploring new lands. Latinos are reveling in the parks and spaces they have long worked to protect this week – especially our national monuments and treasures, which are currently under attack. It gives us all a chance to reflect on the policies we need to strengthen to protect these special places, our communities, our air and water, and everything in between.

It’s also a time to remember that, with only a few exceptions, as we saw in the Congressional Caucus of Color Scorecard report, congressional members who are people of color are champions of environmental protections, fighting to protect our nation’s cultural history while working to lift the burden of climate change from the communities most effected. Together, we’re conserving what we hope to give future generations.”

LCV and LCV’s Chispa are event partners in Latino Conservation Week, an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation. Nearly 80 parks, organizations and community groups have joined the week as sponsors and event partners. For more details, visit https://latinoconservationweek.com/. Latino Conservation Week runs July 15 to 22.

Today, LCV hosted a Facebook Live chat and hike at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. with staff. To listen to the conversation on Chispa’s Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign for zero-emissions electric buses, as well as Sigo en París, a Spanish-language version of the “I Am Still In” petition and Our Lands, Our Vote, click here.