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Author: Luisa Vargas

Rooted in Nature: Finding Belonging with Latino Outdoors

por Ashley Ortiz

Making friends and finding a community can be challenging, especially as we get older. For a long time, I struggled to find a group where I felt like I truly belonged. That changed when I took a leap of faith and joined Latino Outdoors for a park walk. I was incredibly nervous and almost backed out, but once I arrived, I was warmly welcomed despite the group already being familiar with one another. They greeted me enthusiastically, offered snacks and drinks, and made sure I felt comfortable.

We started with a guided nature meditation, which I found very enjoyable. From there, I had the chance to connect with everyone. I never felt like an outsider; instead, I was genuinely included and got to know some fantastic people. They were funny, engaging, and kind. At the end of the walk, we gathered for a closing session with mini raffles. To my surprise, I won a meditation pillow that I still use regularly.

Since then, I’ve stayed connected through social media and continued to participate in more hikes, campouts, and events. Josie, Elaine, and Daniel have become particularly significant to me. They’ve been incredibly supportive, offering advice and information about camping and keeping me updated on upcoming events. Their help and encouragement have been invaluable.

Joining Latino Outdoors has been a transformative experience. I finally feel like I’ve found a community that accepts me and shares my love for the outdoors. They’ve never made me feel self-conscious about my Spanish, and their warmth and inclusivity have made me feel truly at home. Being part of this group is a blessing, and I’m excited to keep learning and growing with them. Having this community to turn to is a wonderful feeling.

Ashely is a 27-year-old Latino woman with a deep love for art, from painting, and drawing to pottery. Crafting beverages like coffee, smoothies, and teas is another passion. She thrives in the great outdoors, enjoying activities such as hiking, swimming, and biking. Known for being friendly and caring, Ashely takes pleasure in helping others and building connections. Art, nature, and community are central to her life, shaping how she expresses herself and engaging with the world around her.

Trails Rx: Healing Under Redwood Groves

por Veronica Silva-Miranda

For about three years now, my primary care physician has been trying to put me on high blood pressure medicine. I politely declined every time until last month; I woke up in the middle of the night from heart palpitations, I just laid in bed, focused on my breathing, and my mind started to drift off into a redwood grove. I’ve known for years that I struggled with high blood pressure, I would feel a pressure in my arm or my hands would start to throb or go numb. I learned to step away from what I was doing at that time and sit in a quiet space, close my eyes and think about what brings me peace; the redwood forest. 

There is a special bond I have created with redwood trees, they give me strength, put me at ease when I smell the fresh scent of new growth and stress instantly releases out of my body as I spend time amongst redwood groves. It’s one of the reasons I often visit redwood parks in California. 

One of my favorite parks to visit is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The redwood grove in the park has a beautiful accessible trail that is great for families with small children, elders, and people with mobility limitations. The trail has an interpretive walk and people can learn more about the amazing redwood trees and why they are so important to our environment. On this visit I learned that redwood trees produce both male and female cones that can provide between 60 to 120 seeds which is incredible and a valuable source for preserving redwood tree growth. There is also a visitor center with tons of information on the park, redwood trees, wildlife and often there are activities for youth to participate in and information on park programs for families, school groups and visitors.  

For me, having an accessible trail is important because of my limitations at the moment. My high blood pressure makes it hard for me to walk on trails with more than a 250 ft incline. I’m also learning to navigate an injury from a fall that has made my mobility limited, and I’m listening to my body when it needs to rest. I’m finding that slower movement has made me appreciate nature so much more. It’s easier to spot wildlife, observe moss up close, feel the soft bark on trees and hear the wind blow within the trees. It’s truly a remarkable feeling to spend some time in a redwood forest. 

I’m so grateful for parks like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park that offer trails like the Redwood Grove Loop. The grove provides a place of exploration, healing, learning and gives that WOW feeling. The loop will have you looking up at these beautiful towering trees that are so tall you cannot see the top from the ground floor.

I can honestly say that spending time underneath redwood trees has helped me adjust to the high blood pressure medication I was prescribed. I think the benefits of spending time amongst these ancient trees is beneficial to everyone, but especially important to those that have had to transition to taking medication, overcoming an injury or finding a balance for one’s mental health. Visiting redwood parks definitely helps me gather my thoughts, have deep conversations with friends and family. When I’m alone sometimes I find a place to sit and write in my journal or jot down notes of things to accomplish or changes to be made.

At the end of my walk on this visit, I felt grateful for my family, close friendships, and the ability to visit this special park not too far from my home in San Francisco. As I learn to work with a new medication and continue healing from a back injury, I know places like Henry Cowell State Park can provide a place of healing and wellness not just for me but many other people as well. 

A Conversation with Una Semillita

por Luisa Vargas

Semillitas Outdoors is Latino Outdoors’ annual celebration of Latine children in the outdoors. From April 20 to April 28, we’ll be hosting virtual and in-person events that center the experience of Latine children and their families. 

This week is important to LO for many reasons. We understand that kids are the foundation of a vibrant future. Fostering a love for the outdoors early in life provides life-long benefits to individuals and the community. It’s also a way of honoring our raíces and our culturas which have always emphasized the importance of maintaining a connection between generations. 

Last year at a LO campout I met Maddie, a middle schooler and fellow Texan who enjoys being out in nature and has been uniquely touched by the magic of the LO comunidad from a very young age. Her grandma, Josie Gutierrez, happens to be LO’s Texas Regional Coordinator and has been fostering Maddie’s love for the outdoors since she was only four years old. 

This is the transcript of segments of a conversation held on April 3, 2024, between Luisa Vargas and Maddie. Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity and accuracy.

Interview Transcript:

What is your favorite thing about being outdoors? 

My favorite thing about being outdoors is seeing different plants and getting to learn more about them and different animals. I like all plants, and sometimes my favorite varies depending on how I feel. It’s kind of like whenever somebody asks me what my favorite song is. 

Do you have a favorite plant of the day?

I feel like bluebonnets are my favorite plant today. They have been blooming everywhere. 

What is your favorite memory of being outdoors? 

My favorite memory of being outdoors is probably my first campout with Latino Outdoors when I was four years old at Garner State Park. My grandma took me, my grandpa, my aunt, and my mom, and we went swimming in the Frio River and hiked a little bit. 

Have you gotten to go back since? 

Yes, many, many times. Not this year so far, but hopefully I will be able to. 

What’s your favorite place to camp in Texas? 

There are so many. It’s very hard to choose. I’m very indecisive about that. 

Can you tell us about when you started going to LO events and the person who started taking you? 

I started going to LO events when I was around five and my grandma started taking me. At LO events, we would table and we would help show kids about being in the outdoors and what’s fun about it. 

What is your favorite Semillitas Outdoors memory?

Probably tabling with my grandma. We get to help kids make little rocks, and they get to put their favorite thing about nature on them. I usually draw butterflies and ladybugs and flowers.

What advice would you give a person your age about going hiking or camping? 

I would probably say to bring comfy shoes and shoes that you don’t mind, to get a little bit messy and to not be nervous about it because it’s really fun. 

What is something that you’ve gotten better at or have overcome since you started going outdoors? 

Pack less when I go camping!

What do you want to be when you grow up and why? 

Right now, I’m indecisive about what I want to do, but I just know that I want to go to college in New York at NYU and just travel. I’m a city girl who still enjoys being outside.