FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2025
Contact: Jin Choi
Rep. Barragán Re-Introduces Resolution to Establish Latino Conservation Week
Washington D.C. – As the nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) re-introduced her resolution today to designate the third week of September as “Latino Conservation Week”. “Latino Conservation Week” spotlights the Latino community’s efforts to preserve and develop public spaces and outdoor recreation, as well as the importance of equitable access to outdoor spaces.
“Latino Conservation Week celebrates the Latino community’s roots to the outdoors,” said Representative Barragán. “We honor the community’s advocacy for nearby greenspaces, clean air, and clean water, because everyone should have access to a healthy environment and open spaces. This resolution calls attention to the efforts of the Latino community to preserve our public spaces and reminds us of our shared duty to protect public lands and open spaces for future generations.”
“Latino communities have long demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, guided by the belief that we have a moral obligation to care for our lands and waters,” said Maite Arce, President of Hispanic Access Foundation. “We thank Representative Nanette Barragán for introducing this resolution to formally establish and elevate Latino Conservation Week, which recognizes our community’s enduring role in protecting the environment and affirms that the future of public lands, environmental health, and climate resilience is strengthened by the inclusion, vision, and agency of Latino youth, families, and leaders. Over the last twelve years, Latino Conservation Week has grown into a movement that breaks down barriers to outdoor access, uplifts Latino leadership in conservation and recreation, and inspires the next generation of environmental stewards. We are thrilled to see it become an established and officially celebrated part of Hispanic Heritage Month.”
The resolution raises concerns about the significant environmental and health disparities experienced by Latino communities across the country, as well as their lack of access to urban parks, greenspaces, and the outdoors. Two out of three Latinos have stated that their health and the health of their families have been negatively affected by the high levels of air pollution and water contamination in their communities. Access and protection of natural spaces in Latino communities can help mitigate air pollution and extreme heat that exacerbates the pollution.
Representative Barragán reintroduced the resolution with the following cosponsors: Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Delia Ramirez (D-Il.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.), and Emily Randall (D-Wash.).
The resolution is supported by the Hispanic Access Foundation, Sierra Club, Sierra Nevada Alliance, Nature Forward, Sonoma Land Trust, BASE Landscape Architecture, Asociación Guatemaltecos Sin Fronteras, Retos Servicious de Educación Integral, PEACE New Jersey, Wasatch Community Gardens, Immigrant Network of Johnson County, Iglesia Bautista la Resurrección, Tampa Bay Kaya Anglers, Wilderness Workshop, Jesse Miranda Center, ProShow Disc Jockey Service, Iglesia Amistad, Huellas Latinas, Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative, Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, Iglesia Aliento de Vida, San Diego Bird Alliance, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Templo El Salvador de las Asambleas de Dios, City of Olympia, ID Latino Conservation Week Planning Committee, Latinos Aventureros de las Carolinas, Purpose en Español, Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, Nature Center of Watsonville, HawkWatch International, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, My Future Pathways, Regeneración – Pajaro Valley Climate Action, City of Pharr, Moms Clean Air Force – EcoMadres, Azul, GreenLatinos, Leave No Trace, Centro CHA Inc, Transformados En Cristo/FMC, and Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana.
For the resolution text, click here.
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