08/09/2023 — Johanna van Waveren

Latino Conservation Week Celebration

Participants joined us at Lincoln Park on July 23rd for a celebration of public lands and opportunities to connect and learn.

The Grand Valley, from Palisade to Fruita, is approximately 15% Latino/Latina. However, use and engagement with public lands and their management does not match these demographics. There is a suite of barriers that significantly reduce the opportunity for local Latino, low-income and immigrant communities to enjoy the benefits of nature and access to public lands. The Wilderness Society, Protege, Conservation Colorado and the Colorado National Monument Association have a common goal of engaging with and connecting our local Latino community to public lands. As result of our past programming, experience and feedback from the Latino community we have identified a community gathering and festival as a key way to achieve this goal.

July 23^rd was a very hot day in the Grand Valley, even for our normal standards. Luckily the shade from the trees in Lincoln Park and some shenanigans with water guns kept visitors at the Latino Conservation Week Celebration relatively cool during this fun community event.

Families went around to the gathering of organizations to learn about our outdoor opportunities in the Grand Valley and to engage. The list of organizations participating in the event showed a wide range of interests and opportunities: Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Canyons Association, The Cycle Effect, REI, CO Wild Lands, Conservation Colorado, Protegete, Clifton Outreach, CO Parks and Wildlife, National Park Service, Mesa County Democrats, The Wilderness Society, Grand Valley Anglers and CNMA.

There were prize giveaways every hour, free tacos, bike demos, music, a bounce house, water guns and more. CNMA was very happy to chat with families and individuals about all that we do and offer. We were also one of the sponsors of the event along with The Wilderness Society, Protegete, Conservation Colorado and Fruita Rotary. We look forward to continuing this event in years to come and genuinely connecting community members with our public lands.