You heard right! Not only has REI given back to Latino Outdoors Founder, Jose Gonzalez and his Volunteer Staff, we want to reach out to our Latino Outdoor community who are also REI Members and give YOU a chance to WIN a $100 REI gift card!
Whether you are hitting the trails, kayaking, walking, climbing, biking, camping, REI and Latino Outdoors want you to enjoy the outdoors with some extra gear this season.
From December 24-31, 2014 we will post a different question everyday on our Latino Outdoors Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. All you have to do is answer the question, add BOTH hashtags #REI #LatinoOutdoors, and post a recent picture of yourself, with your friends and/or familia enjoying the outdoors !
Thank you REI for supporting Latino Outdoors and our goal to “Connecting Cultura and Community with the Outdoors” with a little extra clothing and gear!
Make sure to check our Latino Outdoors Facebook page and Instagram to see the daily question!
Giveaway Rules:
Participants must be existing REI Members and follow at least one (1) Latino Outdoors social media account on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
This giveaway is open to participants who are at 18 years or older and open to U.S. Residents.
Only one (1) picture per day posted to one (1) of the Latino Outdoors social media accounts will be counted as an entry.
Maximum one (1) entry per day. Two (2) winners will be announced after entries have been verified.
Winners will receive ONE (1) $100 REI Gift Card each.
In the summer of 2014, I was selected to participate in the Rising Land Ethic Leader Program hosted through the Aldo Leopold Foundation and The Murie Center.
It was an amazing opportunity as my family and I journeyed from my hometown of Laredo, Texas to The Murie Center in Moose, Wyoming. I attended the 31st program hosted by the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Like many new adventures, I was a little intimated to make the drive to an unknown area to myself. Wyoming is the farthest north I have ever been. Luckily, according to the locals, we went during the hottest part of the summer, with nights reaching about 40°F (still pretty chilly for a south Texas native like me).
Mejia Birthday. Photo by C. Sandoval
“Like many new adventures, I was a little intimated to make the drive to an unknown area to myself.”
M. F. Mejia
At the Rising Land Ethic Leader Program, I learned more about Aldo Leopold, Estelle Leopold, Luna Leopold, Olaus Murie, and Mardy Murie. It was an experience to learn more about these individuals and their contributions to conservation, The Wilderness Act, and their literary and art works. Being a woman, I was most fascinated to learn about Estelle and Mardy and how their efforts contributed to conservation. I was even more curious to learn about the dynamics between Estella and Aldo Leopold, as I learned their love story. Her family was originally from Mexico, but were prominent ranchers in New Mexico. Aldo had met Estella while he was stationed in the Gila Wilderness, where he began his work as a conservationist. I learned so much about the people I admired, and was amazed to have such a connection with each individual. In writing this, I tried to describe the connection I felt with Aldo, Estella, their children, Olaus and Maurdy but perhaps that connection can only be felt through the land, any land.
I grew not only as a professional but on a personal level as we defined, discussed, and sought ways to implement Aldo Leopold’s evolving land ethic in our communities. I made some amazing friends in different organizations throughout the country and gained the skills and tools needed to successfully carry on environmental and conservation work. Although I am trained as a wildlife professional, the skills gained through this program are necessary to understand an evolving public to better manage natural resources.
Mejia in the Tetons. Photo by C. Sandoval
“I thought of how the land ethic could be implemented not only in my community, but also how it would evolve to fit the future”.
M. F. Mejia
Upon my reflection of attending this amazing program, I thought of how the land ethic could be implemented not only in my community, but also how it would evolve to fit the future. I happened to run across “The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations: Mainstream NGOs, Foundations & Government Agencies” by Dorceta E. Taylor, Ph.D., where I was surprised to learn about Robert Stanton. Robert Stanton was the first African American who served as Director of the National Park Service from 1997-2001. His career in the park service started in the summer of 1962, where he traveled from Texas to the Tetons, just as I had. I felt the blog title, fitting for my experience and newly acquired knowledge of Robert Stanton. I hope that as conservationists, we take into the account our nation’s changing demographics in our evolving land ethic, so that we manage and conserve not only for natural resources but the cultural resources that come with using our natural resources.
I am grateful to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Conservation Training Center, Ralph K. Morris Foundation and The Association of Natural Resource Scientists for funding me to attend this professional development opportunity and encourage others to attend the Rising Land Ethnic Leader Program the Aldo Leopold Foundation.
This post was originally posted on the A Day in the Life of Masi. Maria Masi Mejia is a Latino Outdoors Outings Specialist and Ambassador in Lubbock, Texas. You can reach her at mmejia@latinooutdoors.org.
According to Priceline.com, Los Angeles is one of the nation’s top holiday travel destinations. Millions of people flock to our region every winter to escape the cold and enjoy our sunny shores. The beach is perhaps Southern California’s most iconic attraction. It fuels our economy and our way of life here, and that is why it’s so vital that we take good care of the coast and ocean.
Stewarding these natural riches is good for business in cities like Hermosa Beach, where hotels, restaurants and retailers depend on year-round visitors. Statewide, the ocean supports half a million jobs. Three quarters of them are in tourism and recreation.
That is why California legislators are working to reduce pollution and increase conservation along the coast. It is also why the state created a network of underwater state parks, or marine protected areas. Completed in 2012, this new park system includes hot spots like Point Vicente, Point Dume, Bolsa Chica and La Jolla.
California has a proud history of forward-thinking ocean management. Our system of marine protected areas—connected by ocean currents, and accessed via public beaches and parks—was the nation’s first. We were also the first to pass a statewide plastic bag ban.
But now is not the time to rest on our laurels. With a growing population, constant development needs and a healthy demand for local seafood, we have to continue to make smart choices. At Hermosa Beach City Council, we’ll keep working to keep our coast beautiful. You can do your part by making sure you leave nothing but footprints when you visit the beach this holiday season.
Photo Credit: www.nanettebarragan.com
Nanette Barragan is the Hermosa Beach Mayor Pro Tem. You can follow her on Twitter @MayorPTBarragan.
