No todas las historias de escalada en Puerto Rico empiezan con un flechazo. A veces, como le pasó a Mariely Bonilla Viana de Carolina Puerto Rico (mejor conocida como Ely), todo comienza casi por accidente: una vecina que la lleva al gimnasio de escalada, una actividad escolar que parece un pasatiempo más.
“Me fue bien, mejor que al resto del grupo, pero no me enamoré del deporte en ese instante. Fue como ir al cine, una actividad más”, recuerda.
Lo suyo era el baile: ballet, jazz, hip hop. Incluso planeaba abrir una academia de baile con su hermana. Pero tras varios bloqueos en el escenario decidió dejarlo. La vida, sin embargo, le tenía otra prueba. Un día, al llegar a una de las rutas más difíciles del gimnasio, un escalador musculoso la retó con una frase que marcaría su destino: “Si yo no pude, tú no vas a poder.” Mariely se subió… y la encadenó. “Con el orgullo en high pensé: ‘esto es lo que quiero hacer’.”
Rutas que nadie más quiere Desde entonces, Mariely—una de las escaladoras boricuas más duras—se sintió atraída por rutas poco transitadas. “Lo bonito es descifrarlo por ti misma, no que te digan la beta.” Así llegó a Juana Díaz, donde un proyecto se convirtió en obsesión. Esta ruta se llama Duelo de Mitro. Grado sugerido 13 b. Encadenada por Ely el 10 de julio del 2025.
El reto no fue solo físico, sino mental. “Los agarres eran tan pequeños y dolorosos que los dedos quedaban casi en carne viva. Usaba tape, pero me resbalaba. Me obsesioné tanto que dejé pasar oportunidades, incluso viajes con mi pareja.”
El consejo de un amigo la sostuvo: “Tienes que seguir tratando, así es como eventualmente la vas a poder terminar.” Y tenía razón. Tras un descanso obligado, Ely regresó y finalmente encadenó la ruta, uno de los logros más importantes de la escalada deportiva en la isla.
El grito de victoria El último movimiento fue pura concentración. “Me repetía: ‘la tienes, los pies están bien, la tienes’. Al llegar a la cadena, parte de mí dudaba que fuera real. Tuve que ver el video para confirmarlo.” Lo que sí fue real: el grito de victoria. “De alegría aún no he llorado, pero de frustración, sí”, confiesa. Ely tiene el primer ascenso encadenando esta ruta y es la primera mujer boricua en lograr encadenar este grado de dificultad.
Inspirar a otras mujeres en la escalada Mariely nunca pensó que algo fuera imposible. “Tal vez ahora no tengo la fuerza, pero eventualmente podré descifrarlo.” Esa mentalidad se convierte en ejemplo para otras.
“Mi logro puede motivar a mujeres cercanas a intentarlo. Muchos se intimidan por los grados, pero no es hasta que lo prueban que se dan cuenta que no es tan difícil.”
A las niñas que dan sus primeros pasos en la roca les dice: 👉 “Un paso a la vez. Siempre puedes volver y llegar más lejos. Y no te guardes tus miedos: decirlos en voz alta los convierte en una carga compartida.”
Este mensaje conecta con muchas mujeres que buscan espacios en la comunidad de escalada latina.
Escalar como espejo Hoy trabaja un nuevo proyecto en la Cueva Corretjer en Ciales, Puerto Rico, una de las zonas más visitadas por quienes buscan rutas de escalada en Puerto Rico. Pero más allá de cadenas y grados, para ella la escalada es un espejo: “Es un constante redescubrir de qué estoy hecha y qué tan lejos puedo llegar.”
Nunca se sintió fuera de lugar en la comunidad, aunque al inicio había pocas mujeres. “El grupo con el que compartía siempre me alentaba. Decían que hacían falta más féminas. Llevo eso conmigo siempre.”
Más que un logro personal En un país donde los deportes no convencionales rara vez ocupan portadas, y donde la violencia de género sigue siendo una herida social, la historia de Mariely resuena más allá de la roca. Cada encadene femenino es también un acto de resistencia, un recordatorio de que las mujeres en la escalada tienen espacio, voz y fuerza en cada pared que deciden subir.
Nina Medina natural del oeste de Puerto Rico. Apasionada de la escalada, el cuerpo y sus movimientos, escribe para visibilizar a mujeres y comunidades latinas en deportes no convencionales y salud preventiva. Su misión es contar historias que inspiren determinación, inclusión y amor por la naturaleza y nuestra capacidad de ser mejores seres humanos.
Yo cuento because our voice is más strong together.
por Jazzari T. Taylor
This past summer was a season of celebration, empowerment, and a deepened commitment to comunidades and conservation. As Policy Advocate with Latino Outdoors (LO), I’ve been inspired by the stories, cultura, and connections diverse communities have with the outdoors — lands that remain sacred to Indigenous peoples. Latino Outdoors is more than an organization; it’s a movement to close the “nature gap” by creating equitable outdoor opportunities for all. Our advocacy focuses on advancing environmental justice, equitable access, and expanding the conservation movement, aligning with initiatives like 30×30 and Justice40. This summer, we built collective momentum, fostering trust, honoring ancestral ties to the land, and inspiring Latine nationwide to connect with nature that is inviting for all.
Proposed National Monument Designation – Protecting Culture, Biodiversity and Expanding Access Outdoors
Latino Outdoors is committed to expanding the conservation movement in ways that prioritize culture, community, and equitable access to public lands. Our vision is grounded in creating spaces where everyone, especially historically excluded groups, can experience the outdoors. By centering the voices of Indigenous peoples, Latine communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups, we aim to build a conservation movement that is truly inclusive and community-driven. The proposed California national monuments – Chuckwalla, Sáttítla – Medicine Lake Highlands, and Kw’tsán – represent powerful opportunities to protect vital landscapes while advancing environmental justice and ensuring that the outdoors remains a place for healing, joy, and belonging for all.
The Chuckwalla National Monument proposal embodies a vision of inclusivity, as celebrated during the Orgullosamente Outdoors event on June 21, 2024. Latino Outdoors partnered in hosting the “Queens in the Desert” bus tour through Coachella Valley, featuring vibrant drag performances by Valentine Anger, Kitty & Kit Tapata, Ethylina Canne, MuthaChucka, and Burna Cross. Despite the heat, 56 participants stood resilient, celebrating cultural pride and nature’s healing power. Spanning over 600,000 acres, Chuckwalla is home to rich biodiversity and sacred spaces for Tribes. Protecting this area not only ensures access for Latine and LGBTQ+ communities but also honors Indigenous stewardship. Advocacy efforts have occurred on the ground and in Washington, D.C., with Latino leaders reinforcing the importance of Chuckwalla’s designation before Congress and the Biden administration. Latino Outdoors remains committed to uplifting Indigenous voices and ensuring this land remains a place where all communities can find peace and belonging.
The Kw’tsán National Monument proposal speaks to the interconnectedness of people, wildlife, and landscapes across arbitrary borders. Located east of the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, Kw’tsán holds deep spiritual significance for the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe. The 390,000-acre monument would not only safeguard biodiversity and wildlife but also formalize Indigenous stewardship through a cooperative agreement. Throughout the summer, our work has underscored how these landscapes and the stories they hold are deeply connected, revealing a larger narrative about the environment and our place within it.
In August, I joined an EcoFlight over the proposed Sáttítla – Medicine Lake Highlands National Monument with Pit River Tribe leaders, highlighting the area’s cultural significance. The deep blue lakes and timber are crucial to the Tribe’s culture and spirituality. At the same time, Medicine Lake is a vital water reservoir for California that reaches communities as far West as San Francisco. However, the land faces threats from industrial development. Latino communities in nearby Shasta County are growing in presence and connection to the region, making inclusive advocacy even more critical.
We urge President Biden to designate and protect Chuckwalla National Monument, Sáttítla – Medicine Lake Highlands National Monument, and Kw’tsán National Monument to protect the Tribe’s ancestral lands, biodiversity, expand equitable access opportunities outdoors and sustainable management practices rooted in Indigenous knowledge.
BLM Recreation Summit
In July, I attended a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) meeting in Reno, Nevada, focused on developing the BLM Nevada Recreation Action Plan. With increasing demand for public land access, the BLM is rolling out its Blueprint for 21st Century Outdoor Recreation to enhance management and stewardship. Last October, I participated in a virtual roundtable hosted by the Foundation for America’s Public Lands, where community participants emphasized the need for diverse staff, multi-language resources, and accessible community engagement.
At this recent meeting, similar feedback emerged, but there remains a gap between ambitious goals and available resources like funding and staffing. This highlights the need for ongoing involvement in policy decisions impacting public lands. The “Respect. Connect. Protect.” campaign is a collaboration between BLM, the Conservation Lands Foundation, and the Friends Grassroot Network, which aims to promote safe and responsible recreation while fostering a deeper connection to public lands. Latino Outdoors is proud to support this initiative, which integrates relatable messaging to inspire respect for nature and broaden the conservation movement. We encourage you to share feedback with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at blm_nv_blueprintstatesummitfeedback@blm.gov to help address community needs and protect public lands.
Parks & Open Spaces
Our advocacy for parks, oceans, and natural areas in California serves as a model for other states by demonstrating how the intersection of art, culture, and environmental stewardship can inspire inclusivity and resilience in public spaces. In early September, I joined José Gonzalez and partners with California State Parks for the “Art in the Park,” highlighting the need for spaces that reflect diverse histories and cultures. Collaborations with artists like Andrea Campos, and working with agencies like the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) during Latino Heritage Month showcases how this approach not only connects communities to nature but also fosters a more profound sense of ownership and responsibility for protecting natural resources.
I’ve been honored to serve as a Coalition Chair for the California Parks Now Coalition for the last two years. With the support of over 30 organizations, we’ve been instrumental in advancing critical legislative priorities that emphasize equity, environmental justice, and public health. This summer, we worked together to write letters to representatives and Governor Newsom, urging support for bills that promote outdoor equity and ensure access to natural spaces for everyone, regardless of background or location.
One most recent success is AB 2939 (Rendon), which was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsome, establishing a framework for small, non-commercial outdoor equity programs to access parks without facing extra restrictions. As of September 22, 2024, this bill has been “chaptered” by the Secretary of State after passing both houses of the Legislature and being signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, ensuring streamlined park access for disadvantaged communities. Meanwhile, SB 1091 (Menjivar), focused on promoting green schoolyards and accessible outdoor learning spaces, is awaiting the Governor’s signature. This bill will support the development of greener, more resilient schools, especially in underserved areas.
As we move forward, the CA Parks Now Coalition will continue to work with legislators, building relationships and advocating for the critical funding necessary to maintain and expand access to our natural spaces, making the outdoors available to all. This serves as a model for a community-first movement focused on parks and public spaces across the nation.
Yes on Prop 4
Latino Outdoors joined organizations across California to advocate for the passing of YesonProp4 (SB 867), which placed a historic $10 billion climate bond on the November 2024 ballot. Latino Outdoors officially endorsed California’s Yes on Prop 4 this summer, joining over 200 organizations advocating for critical climate and environmental justice investments. The bond will fund parks, climate resilience, and environmental justice initiatives to protect California’s most vulnerable communities. Learn more about what this means for the future of California here.
Proposition 4 aligns with Latino Outdoors’ core values by promoting climate resilience, social equity, and access to outdoor spaces for underrepresented communities. With its passage, this bond will address wildfire prevention, flood protection, and climate adaptation needs, benefiting communities facing extreme heat, poor air quality, and water scarcity. While this proposition is specific to California, it serves as a model for climate action nationwide, highlighting urgent responses to global warming concerns that impact communities everywhere. These investments are set to empower communities by making the outdoors safer and more accessible for all. It’s now our responsibility that these funds are allocated accordingly and go directly into communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) Coalition
The Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) advocates for equitable access to outdoor spaces for children and families, with Latino Outdoors proudly partnering in this mission. Representing Latino Outdoors in this coalition is Melodie Mendez, the New York & Northeast Regional Coordinator. I am proud to have Melodie on the Latino Outdoors support staff and connect with her on OAK advocacy opportunities throughout the summer and moving forward.
Melodie amplifies the voices of Latino communities in discussions about outdoor access and environmental justice. Together, OAK and Latino Outdoors work towards fostering inclusivity in outdoor recreation and advocating for policies that support access to parks and natural areas.
The Futuro of Conservation and Advocacy Afuera Needs Your Support!
This summer of community, conservation, and advocacy highlighted the power of our voices to create change. Together, we can break down barriers and work toward inclusive outdoor spaces. In September, I participated in Latino Conservation Week (September 14-22) as a panelist at the Raíces y Futuro event with Nature Nexus Institute, sharing my story and emphasizing the Latino Climate Justice Framework (LCJF) in Latino Outdoors. The LCJF shows how we can drive meaningful change and guides the Latino Outdoors Advocacy Priorities approaches to create meaningful change in our comunidades.
I also attended the “New Era, New Leaders: 5 Years to 30×30” conference in Puerto Rico, hosted by the America the Beautiful for All Coalition. Set in Puerto Rico’s ancestral Taíno homelands, this gathering underscored the importance of inclusive conservation that respects local communities. Connecting with Puerto Rican organizations Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, María Fund, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Derecho UPR, DRNA Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico (DRNA), Corazón Latino, La Maraña PR, EarthEcho International, we discussed the disconnect between government actions and community needs, where federal funding and external pressures shape land management decisions. True environmental justice means empowering these communities to lead.
As we aim for the 30×30 goal – conserving 30% of U.S. lands, waters, and oceans by 2030, frontline communities, including Latino communities, must be prioritized. We explored how the Justice40 initiative, which directs 40% of federal investments to disadvantaged communities, can close the equity gap. The LCJF advocates for conservation that addresses systemic injustices, ensuring Latino communities have access to nature and resources. This conference reaffirmed that conservation must focus on land and water and empowering those who care for it. The future of conservation is rooted in justice, and we must amplify the voices of those most affected for a more inclusive movement.
Your voice matters, and as we transition into 2025, staying engaged is ever more pressing to protect and support an organization where “…Latino communities enjoy nature as a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place” (Latino Outdoors Vision, 2024). Whether it’s advocating for equitable access to parks, supporting Indigenous rights, or pushing for climate justice, every effort counts. Here are five ways you can join the movement:
Join Us Outdoors to explore and connect with nature.
Share Your Story to inspire others and highlight the importance of outdoor spaces.
Vote to make your voice heard in local and national elections.
Know Your Representatives and engage with them about issues that matter to you.
Give Back – Donate to support the critical work of organizations like Latino Outdoors.
Together, we can amplify our impact and ensure that the outdoors remains a welcoming space for all.
When times get tough, there are two prerequisites for moving forward: a new sunrise and an undeterred voice.
Seguiremos aquí.
We will not be deterred from our mission, and we will continue to support each other as we move forward, guided by the belief that every person has a right to feel safe, welcomed, and valued in the outdoors and beyond.
In this interview, André Sanchez offers a firsthand account of his powerful journey in connecting to Latino Outdoors and with nature. Join us in celebrating the past ten years of Latino Outdoors through the eyes of one of its leaders, André Sanchez.
Please note that this interview has been thoughtfully edited for clarity and conciseness, ensuring a comprehensive yet succinct representation tailored to fit into this blog.
Latino Outdoors (LO): Let’s get into it! To kick off, can you share a bit about yourself, including your name, background, and perhaps a glimpse into your heritage?
André: I’m André Sanchez, I’m a first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in Madera, California, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. While my family has ties to la Ciudad de Mexico as that’s where my mother and her siblings were born and raised before migrating, we have roots in Oaxaca. My grandparents are originally from Villa Alta en la Sierra Norte region. Growing up, I embraced my Mexican heritage and an Indigenous perspective, though I didn’t necessarily know that’s what it was rooted in and simply viewed it as my grandmother’s and family’s teachings.
Way back when it was still referred to as D.F., my abuela, mother, and two of my uncles migrated from the growing city to the San Joaquin Valley and became migrant laborers. My grandmother was the first one to come over to the US. I don’t even know the year, honestly, but then my mother and my uncles came over. Despite the challenges, their hard work and resilience paved the way for new opportunities, transforming them into educators and public health professionals, and just overall loving community members. They instilled in me a deep sense of ethics and morality, shaping the person I am today. I’m just grateful that I come from the background that I do with my rich Mexican Chilango & Oaxacan heritage and the legacy of resilient migrant laborers.
“it just amazed me to see the waterfalls for the first time”
André Sanchez
Park ranger André in Ahwahnee, summer 2015
André during his first backpacking trip, summer 2011
LO: Do you remember early experiences in nature, in the outdoors?
André: One experience that has resonated with me throughout my life is the first time I visited Yosemite Valley, or Ahwahnee as I’ve learned local Native communities call it. I was around seven years old, when my late uncle (Azael) took, me, my grandmother (Esther) and my two older siblings (Jose & Natalie) to receive the beauty and medicine that the park had to offer. Seeing the waterfalls for the first time and just being there among the granite monoliths, not really knowing how I would eventually relate to the experience and memory, but just knowing that I really just loved it and enjoyed it at that moment.
André’s Tio Azael
André’s abuela Esther
On another note of early experience with nature, some of my formative youth involved fishing, a shared activity that brought together my brother Jose, his friends, some family friends, and me. I learned a lot through these experiences since we were a mix of ages, with me being the youngest in what became our recurring group. We would go out fishing in different places in and around the San Joaquin Valley. So we would frequent the rivers, sloughs, lakes, what have you, and having to learn the elements of fishing definitely left a mark on me because it made me realize you’re going to have to be patient. Nature is serene. You’re going to have to sit here and just take it in. And I think I generally did learn that to a high degree, but obviously still wanting to do more outside kind of lingered within me.
LO: Was there someone in your life that played a large role in your love of nature, someone as a child or later in life that really set you down this journey towards conservation?
André: A key figure in shaping my profound connection with nature is undoubtedly my late uncle Azael, the same individual who introduced me and my family to Yosemite and various other outdoor experiences. Not only did he facilitate our trips to Yosemite but also took us to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the serene lakes and forests of the Sierra Nevada. And mind you, he wasn’t necessarily a conservation nature person in that context, but he just got exposed to it through some of his opportunities, and he wanted to share that with us because he knew it was an amazing experience for him. But, yeah, I would say him because he took me to several different places that I don’t think I would have ever known about or experienced otherwise.
“Having to learn the elements of fishing definitely left a mark on me because it made me realize you’re going to have to be patient. Nature is serene. You’re going to have to sit here and just take it in.”
André Sanchez
LO:You’ve been part of Latino Outdoors for a few years now. You’ve also grown in the conservation field. You in particular. It’s your career. As we look back on the last ten years, can you tell us a little bit about the growth you’ve seen in Latino outdoors and then the growth you’ve seen in the world of conservation, and then the growth that you’ve seen in yourself?
André: My official journey with Latino Outdoors (LO) began in 2017 as a volunteer, but my awareness and connection with the organization extends further back. Over this time, I’ve witnessed profound changes within LO. The most noticeable transformation has been its exponential growth—expanding volunteer bases, increased public support, and a growing staff that now includes dedicated advocacy and policy roles. It’s just amazing to see that LO is ever-growing and changing. At the same, still being very rooted in what the intention of LO was created for, which is like culturally relevant exposure to nature, if you will, or building community that is going to eventually experience nature in some way, shape or form. And just like acknowledging that we are a community and all these different gente just want to be outside and that we have a right to be outside.
I would say the addition of the advocacy position has been particularly significant for me, as it aligns with my professional role. That growth runs parallel with LO in that sense because I was trying to figure out how I could continue to be a working professional and also do my personal decolonization without me knowing what exactly that meant or looked like. What it was or what it was becoming at the time with what LO was trying to achieve, ultimately, which is, we’re going to try to just get people outside in whatever way, shape, or form we can, and we’re going to meet them where we’re at. And the point of this is that we’re trying to build community. We’re trying to get our community to be comfortable, to be outside, and trying to get them to understand that these places are for them. And we’re trying to do it in a safe, culturally competent, and relevant manner. And essentially translating that lens to my work is what I’ve tried to do ever since I’ve been wearing these multiple hats.
“What LO was trying to achieve, ultimately, which is, we’re going to try to just get people outside in whatever way, shape, or form we can, and we’re going to meet them where we’re at.”
André Sanchez
LO: As we wrap up our conversation, André, reflecting on your journey from a super volunteer to now serving as a board member, your unique perspective provides invaluable insights. Looking ahead, considering the tremendous growth and impact of Latino Outdoors over the past decade, what is your vision for the organization in the next ten years? How do you see LO evolving, and what goals do you aspire to achieve in this next phase of its journey?
André: What I’m really hoping continues to happen and what my vision would be for LO as the community continues to grow for the next “X” number of years and decades, is that we continue to create opportunities because there’s a lot of ground to cover and there’s a lot of people that we haven’t tapped into yet and there’s a lot of community to build and a lot of leaders that are emerging and that should emerge. If you look at the map that we have of the different regions throughout the country, there’s still a lot of places that we’re not covering yet. I’m hoping we continue to build towards covering more space on the map.
André volunteers with Latino Outdoors as both a Program Coordinator and Advisory Board member.As the Latino Outdoors Program Coordinator for Fresno, André works towards inspiring others about the importance of protecting natural resources by sharing his knowledge of rivers, wildlife, and the different environmental services they provide for people, including clean water, clean air, and respite from everyday life. As a member of the Board, he hopes to further this effort and expand his support of LO’s mission.
