| Hello,
Spring is here and the HECHO team is blooming! We hope that you and your family take the time to enjoy the sounds of songbirds, the woodpeckers drumming, the flowers budding, and that unforgettable smell of Spring.
We couldn’t be more excited for the progress we’ve made so far this year, and we are excited to share what we’ve been working on with you in this month’s newsletter.
In late March, Interior Secretary Haaland visited the border community of El Paso, where she met with community members and Monumental SHIFT coalition members to discuss the designation of Castner Range as a National Monument, an effort that HECHO has supported that will conserve wildlife and provide access to public lands to a majority Hispanic community.
Earlier in March, HECHO’s staff came together to meet in Denver to discuss strategic planning, campaign planning, and the management and development of our organization’s growing Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council (HCLC). We had the opportunity to meet with our colleagues at the National Wildlife Federation and convene HECHO’s Advisory Board for the first time in years – it felt great to be in community and to engage in short, mid, and long-term planning efforts.
Prior to the March convening, I had the opportunity to visit Oak Flat, or Chi’chil Bildagoteel, 60 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona. I took a tour of the proposed site for the Resolution Copper Project mine, which if approved, will use 250 billion gallons of water from an already strained Arizona water supply, in a very sensitive cultural location with already very limited water resources. My visit to the site solidified HECHO’s opposition to the mine – protecting Oak Flat would conserve precious water supplies, honor sacred sites and landmarks for the Apache people, and prevent undue health impacts on surrounding. You can take action here.
Here’s what else we’ve been up to:
- HECHO has added more than 50 members to its growing Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council
- New positions at HECHO are posted! We’re hiring an Arizona and Colorado Field Coordinator.
- We’re happy to welcome back Andres Fierro Morales as our Digital Engagement and Media Spring Intern.
- Colorado veteran Don Martinez is featured on HECHO’s monthly guest blog and talks about the healing power of public lands for veterans – thank you for your service, Don!
- Want a rundown of key conservation legislation that was and wasn’t passed in the New Mexico Legislature? Check out our summary here.
- HECHO has been deeply involved in the development of a coalition to help protect an area known as the Caja del Rio in New Mexico, south of Santa Fe. Earlier this year, the site was vandalized, calling for more immediate action to protect this landscape from a growing number of threats. Read more about the Caja from our Senior New Mexico Field Coordinator, Max Trujillo.
- Lastly, HECHO’s work and the contribution of Hispanic leaders to conservation policy was recognized on the House floor of the Arizona State Legislature! I was joined by members of Arizona’s Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council for the reading of a memorial supporting HECHO’s work in the state. Way to go, Arizona team!
Wishing you a wonderful Spring full of growth, health, and regeneration,
Camilla Simon
Executive Director |
