WASHINGTON, July 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — This weekend, the second annual Latino Conservation Week will kick off and continue through July 19, 2015. The week is an opportunity for Latinos to demonstrate their passion for enjoying and protecting public lands. During the week, the Latino community will go on outings, volunteer in clean-ups, and other community events – more than 40 have been scheduled from California to New York, designed to show their support for permanently protecting our public lands, water and air.

“This week is about sharing the Latino community’s perspective on the environment like the need to protect our public lands and natural surroundings for future generations,” said Maite Arce, president of Hispanic Access Foundation, which launched Latino Conservation Week in 2014 as part of its growing environmental program. “Hispanics are passionate about enjoying the outdoors and hold a strong belief that we have a moral obligation to protect it for future generations.”

Latino Conservation Week is an opportunity for community-based organizations, churches, local, state, and national parks and agencies to plan events for the Latino community to have fun, learn, and advocate for the great outdoors. Events will be held celebrating new monuments such as San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Browns Canyon National Monument and Basin and Range National Monument, which was just designated today. Other events include opportunities to explore local and state parks, to learn about habitat restoration and to discuss the cultural heritage of the outdoors. A list of events is available here.

Event sponsors and partners include National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Natural Resources, National Wildlife Refuge System, California State Parks, Por la Creacion: Faith-based Alliance, Latino Outdoors, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Sierra Club, COFEM, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, Healthy Parks Healthy People Bay Area, REI, The Boeing Company, Environment for the Americas, Mujeres de la Tierra, Urban Semillas, Amigos de los Rios, and Los Angeles County of Parks and Recreation.

“Latino Conservation Week shines a spotlight on just how important Latinos consider the outdoors and our natural resources,” said Arce. “Not only does it demonstrate in practice what public opinion polls show – Latinos are highly supportive of conservation – but it also provides more understanding why Latinos are active in policy efforts to establish national monuments, protect public lands or secure reauthorization of tools like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which expires in less than 100 days.”

In its inaugural year, Latino Conservation Week saw more than 17 events held across six states take place as part of the celebration. Events for 2015 are listed at www.LatinoConservationWeek.com.

For media that would like to participate in any of these events, request interviews or need additional information, please contact Robert Fanger at [email protected].

About Hispanic Access Foundation
Hispanic Access Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that improves the lives of Hispanics in the United States and promotes civic engagement by educating, motivating and helping them access trustworthy support systems. Our vision is that all Hispanics throughout the U.S. enjoy good physical health, a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their communities with the sum improving the future of America. For more information visit www.hispanicaccess.org.

Contact: Robert Fanger
P: 317-410-7668
E: [email protected]