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HECHO September Newsletter

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Hello,

This is an important time for HECHO – Hispanic Heritage Month. During the month, which spans September 15-October 15, we are celebrating and reflecting upon the longstanding Hispanic leadership and stewardship of our land and water. We are lifting up a way of life that puts relationships with nature and each other as a central part of the culture, and we are asking you to join our cause to work toward ensuring that these practices are reflected in future public land and water management policy and decision-making. To learn more, I hope you’ll read my blog post elaborating on HECHO’s vision of strong, culturally-rich communities connected to nature and each other. We also have some very exciting news to share with you:

  • Next week, HECHO’s Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council members are heading to Washington D.C. for the first time to visit the Capitol and advocate for solutions to issues facing their communities and the areas in which they live. You can see one HCLC member’s story here.
  • HECHO was invited to the White House to celebrate the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act. Read more below and see more pictures here.
  • HECHO’s Policy and Advocacy Manager José Gaona participated at the 45th annual Conference of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Watch him here.
  • Our team members have been active in the community in Hispanic Heritage Month events, joining Chispa AZ and Respect Great Bend for a hike at the Great Bend of the Gila, and helping Audubon’s river cleanup at the Rio Salado Audubon.
  • And HECHO continues to back the work, the causes, and the rights of Tribal governments and its citizens, by recently sending a letter of support for the hearing of three bills, including the protection and conservation of the Great Bend of Gila.

Thanks,
Camilla Simon
Executive Director

Strengthening Hispanic Voices and Visibility
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we wanted to share this new video about our mission, vision and values.

  • Empowering Hispanic leaders to engage their communities in the conservation of our public lands.
  • Building strong, culturally-rich communities connected to nature and each other.
  • An independent, authentic voice for Hispanics.

ICYMI

White House Event

HECHO was invited to an event at the White House on September 13th, to celebrate the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides historic funding to address the worsening climate crisis. This critical bill includes climate and fiscal policies HECHO has advocated for years. Our Executive Director, Camilla Simon, was there, representing HECHO.Watch video here.

HECHO at CHCI

HECHO’s Policy and Advocacy Manager, José Gaona, participated at the 45th Annual Conference of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the premier platform for policy conversation in the Hispanic community. He was one of the panelists of a session hosted by the Walton Family Foundation, talking about the challenges facing Latino communities.Watch video here.

Resources & Opportunities

HECHO receives wonderful engagement opportunities that we’d like to share with our readers. If an opportunity speaks to you, click the link to learn more. 

  •  The Caja del Rio Coalition is seeking more people to get involved, whether in hands-on matters like clean-up days, or simply spreading the word of the importance protecting the area. The point is to get involved. Click here to get more involved.
  • Also, remember, until October 24, 2022, the public can submit input on developing two target shooting ranges. You can help save it! Check here how you can participate.
  • The Colorado Water Conservation Board is hosting virtual listening sessions to engage with and hear from the public during the Colorado Water Plan public comment period. Click here to register.
  • National Public Lands Day is on September 24th! You can get free entry to national parks and other federal public lands and participate in volunteer efforts. Click here to find events
  • Although Bears Ears was restored as a National Monument and the Coalition Tribes have officially signed a cooperative agreement with federal agencies, this does not ensure that Tribal expertise and knowledge will lead the management of the monument. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the USDA Forest Service (USFS) are inviting the public to a series of meetings where they will solicit public opinions. Register here for Oct. 5, 2022, from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Thanks for reading!

And thanks for being part of the HECHO community. Together we can elevate Hispanic voices in public lands policy.
 
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