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Category: Introductions to the Outdoors

Yo Cuento: Then & Now

por Laura Flores

Climbing My Own Mountains

The Start of Something

I remember one night watching a team of men climb a snow capped mountain. As grueling as it looked, it ignited something inside me, and with excitement and hope, I told my dad I would do that one day. His response was less than desirable, “You can’t do things like that plus how would you get there?” Doubt masked with sarcasm is something I grew up with but it didn’t stop me from dreaming.

My family and others in my community have historically been told what we can and cannot do because of the color of our skin, the language we speak, our socio-economic status, where we live, and where we have come from. Opportunities to connect to nature have been vital in rebuilding self-confidence, self-reliance, mental and physical well-being, and pushing myself to know what I am capable of and, in turn, what my community is capable of.

Wild Curly Haired Kid

I was the wild curly hair kid who only looked forward to waking up and climbing my tree, playing in the mud, and riding my bike until the street lights came on. When your option was either to stay inside and clean or go outside and play, the decision felt like a no brainer. When I wasn’t outside imagining being in a jungle or on a tall mountain I was watching explorers on Nova with my dad. 

I grew up in New Mexico and Southern California, surrounded by mountains, rivers, the ocean and rich culture. Southern California tended to lend itself to warm summer days where we would visit my abuelos house. When we entered the gate my nose was immediately filled with the fragrant sweet smell of pink and red roses in the front yard and we were welcomed by fresh avocados, lemons, and oranges in the backyard. My grandfather worked as a lechero, a milker, on a cow farm. He loved agriculture and shared his passion with his children and grandchildren. 

“I loved playing in the dirt, making mud pies, and gardening with my dad. It was always amazing to witness a tiny seed grow and be cooked by my mom into a delicious meal.”

Moving from California–which is gorgeous but often overcast from smog–to New Mexico, a wide open space with clear beautiful mountains and bright stars, was a game changer. We even moved into a house with a backyard. I loved playing in the dirt, making mud pies, and gardening with my dad. It was always amazing to witness a tiny seed grow and be cooked by my mom into a delicious meal. My favorite was calabacitas with onion, tomato, and a little bit of cheese sprinkled on top. More precious than the food, was the time we spent gardening. 

Time in the garden almost softened my dad and allowed him to speak freely about his complicated past. In doing so, he’d try to educate me about the hate in this world. Like many other Chicanos of his generation, he was punished for speaking Spanish throughout his education. He would often talk about his family and growing up. Despite not having much, my abuelo would still make time to take him and his siblings outdoors. My dad knew this tradition needed to continue, and for that, I will always be thankful. Sometimes we would be in the garden so long the stars would come out. 

 When we went camping, it wasn’t fancy. Our gear mostly consisted of the pots and pans we had in the kitchen and the comforters straight from our beds. I would spend hours exploring and chasing after the lizards and toads scampering around the desert floor. When it was time to hike, we put on our chanclas or tennis shoes from Kmart; they got us there just fine. 

I was very fortunate to grow up in a state that lends itself to the outdoors, but I only became aware of this when I was much older. As time passed, our camping trips became less frequent. I remember people saying there was never anything to do in our state. Suggestions of what to do would vary but were rarely positive. We were surrounded by nature and beauty but were only aware of the glimpses our parents showed us growing up. It was easy to be sucked into negative feelings about where we lived, and oftentimes, it led to negative choices like doing drugs or drinking to entertain ourselves. 

One summer, I recall my sister got into a little bit of trouble and was put in a detention center. She was one of the “lucky” youth to be given a rehabilitation rafting trip. Although I agree the outdoors is therapeutic and can change mindsets, I had to ask, why did she have to get in trouble to be introduced to such an amazing outdoor experience? Why were activities like this only reserved for people who could afford them unless court ordered? Her experience initially built a sense of anger and disgust, which then turned into passion. I knew I needed to be more involved in reshaping the outdoors for my community. 

The LO Life

One day, scrolling through IG posts, I saw our wedding photographers’ repost of Latino Outdoors (thanks, Ashley)! I was immediately interested. In 2019, LO did not have a program coordinator in the region, and the wonderful Ruby, LO’s Director of Programs and Operations, asked if I would be interested. Honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 

Since volunteering for LO, I have been extended incredible opportunities like becoming an Environmental Education of New Mexico Fellow, trusted to assist with Outdoor FUTURE Initiative, sitting on the board for Mana de Albuquerque, traveling and meeting other dedicated volunteers from across the country, being Wilderness First Aid trained, and most importantly, hosting purposeful outings for our New Mexico youth. As a bonus, I got to try many outdoor activities for the first time. There were times I was nervous because I did not know everything (who does), but these experiences have helped me slow down, respect the learning process, and reframe my appreciation for the outdoors.

Full Circle

This past year in October 2022, I was asked to hike with a group of indigenous women to Sagarmatha, Mt Everest Base Camp . My son was only one at the time and my daughter was three. I had not been “keeping” up with my cardio for a trip like this. 

I had every excuse in the book not to go, but my husband, who always has my back, said, “when will you ever get an opportunity like this again? Go, I will watch the kids. They will be fine. You have to do this!”  

Childhood memories flooded my brain, watching those men climb mountain peaks and now knowing I could be doing the same. So I went.

Initially, this trip meant being able to prove to myself that I could do it, but it turned into so much more. Letters from family and friends expressed how much this trip meant to them. I would be the first person in their circle to hike Everest Base Camp! For some, I would be the first person to travel that far or even fly in a plane. Was it scary or hard to leave my family? The short answer is yes, but I knew I had to go. 

By going, I knew it would build excitement about traveling for my students. Every day I was asked a new question about Nepal. By going, I felt like I would open a door for women of color, like myself, who are also moms and who might have difficulty navigating the home-work-self-care balance. We don’t have to stop doing the things we love, the things that excite us, or make us who we are. The hike was for my sister who passed away, to promote more options to help people struggling with mental health issues. She would have been the first and last person in my DM’s asking me about the food, the views, and what I was going to bring her back. 

“We were all invited from different places and different circles, but we were there for each other.”

The hike itself was remarkable. The empowering women I hiked with came from Arizona, Canada, Colorado, Alaska, and New Mexico, with incredible stories of their own. Each morning we would start with a sage circle and say a personal prayer, and each night my roommate Gabaccia and I would giggle deliriously until we fell asleep. Every day we were given a word to reflect on, and we would share our thoughts each night. There was laughter and oftentimes tears. 

On one particular day I remember hiking and feeling the urge to cry. It was like my body had been bottling years of emotions that needed to be released. Initially, I almost felt a sense of shame, but there was no judgment, just hugs and understanding.  We were all invited from different places and different circles, but we were there for each other. The seafoam colored river, the views, Dal Bhat Power 24 hours,  the piercing wind blowing sand in our faces is something I will always remember, but the lesson learned on the mountain from our guides and each other is something I will always take with me. 

The why

Some of my best memories are seeing students and my children smiling from ear to ear, taking in nature, and asking hundreds of questions about the world around them. The benefits of the outdoors have been proven time after time. I will continue to fight and advocate for these safe outdoors spaces. Where our youth and their families can learn and explore. Where our own stories and traditions from our ancestors will continue to be passed down. A space where we all belong, our comunidad.

Laura Flores (she/her) is Chicana with roots in California and New Mexico. She has been an elementary educator for over 12 years. Her desire to share safe, fun, and accessible opportunities is deeply rooted in her community. As the  Program Coordinator, she believes by providing outdoor connections to the youth of New Mexico she is creating a love for her state, deeper awareness for local and global conservation, and joyful experiences which will continue for generations.

Ocean Teaching Us To Love Nature

por Michael Brito

Michael Brito grew up in Southern California, where the long stretches of sandy beaches inspired his love and connection to the outdoors. As a high school student, he would stake out bonfire pits with friends and watch the waves at the beach. Like generations before, he connected with his community around a fire. The fire’s warmth, crashing waves, and the painted sunset pulled him away from everything. Brito found a connection to the earth on those long beach days.

Brito attended UC Davis initially as a Political Sciences major. While he felt the need to pursue a career connecting people for the common good, he struggled to figure out how he could do so while finding an occupation that sparked a fire in him. After two years of struggles as an undergrad, Brito found his community among students studying Marine Sciences. Being part of this community allowed him to look closer at the coastal marine life they were observing. Very quickly, he created an even deeper connection with the ocean.

This community of students inspired Brito to switch his degree and pour all his remaining time into studying and asking ecological questions about coastal oceans. Becoming familiar with the neighboring marine life or how marine algae produces more oxygen than all the world’s forests sparked that fire Brito had been searching for. He became aware of how the world’s oceans are suffering from climate change yet protecting us by absorbing the carbon dioxide humans have been pumping into the atmosphere. Deeply moved, Brito was mobilized and became an advocate for ocean conservation. After college, he worked on the first ever captive rearing program for the critically endangered Sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides. While this was important work, he felt he could make a more lasting impact on conservation by engaging with coastal communities.

Brito stumbled upon the Mendocino Coast on a road trip and was left in awe by the beautiful coastline. He immediately found a job in Fort Bragg with Pacific Environmental Education Center (PEEC), teaching fourth to eighth graders about the Mendocino coast’s natural history. He now works with the Noyo Center for Marine Science, supporting the mission of promoting conservation through the education of the local community. Brito hopes to work with the Noyo Center for Marine Science to reach Mendocino county’s Latinx communities and give them guided access to outdoor spaces.

Brito believes fostering an outdoors that welcomes diverse groups of people is essential because everyone must be given a chance to connect to the earth and green spaces. When Western thought-centric ideas dominate a space, they can exclude other ways of thinking and discourage others from being part of it. As a person of color, he understands that there is an egregious lack of leaders of color. Having navigated through white-dominated spaces, Brito believes that we must continue to engage local underrepresented communities so that everyone can one day be part of solving current issues such as climate change. The solution starts with creating opportunities for Latinx and people of color to get outside and have an enriching community.

The most significant barrier Brito anticipates as the major roadblock for people to get outside is the difficulty for low-income families of color to afford to spend time outdoors. This problem has only been made worse by the lack of accessible public transportation. As Brito continues his work, he hopes that more community members want to contribute to Latino Outdoor’s mission to get all people outside.

Michael Brito is a 24-year-old who recently joined the Latino Outdoors North Coast Chapter as an Outings Leader. He’s worked as a teacher naturalist for P.E.E.C. and gained a deep appreciation for the Mendocino Coast. Michael enjoys reading books about marine life and exploring the local tide pools. He looks forward to creating a more inclusive, diverse, and welcoming space for all in the outdoors.

Good, Wild, And Free!

por Carlos Rodriguez

I believe the outdoors to be something that should be available to all. Whether it’s a hug of a much-needed breeze in the desert or the warmth of the sun on an alpine adventure, nature seems to provide all that I truly desire. Therefore, creating the bridges for more participation from communities of color within outdoor culture has become linked with my outdoor lifestyle. The memories, skills, and relationships that have come about because of my incessant “call of the wild” are truly priceless. The outdoors have given me the opportunity to identify with something bigger than myself.

To introduce myself, my name is Carlos Rodriguez. I am a first-gen Honduran-American. I think of myself as a proud, brown, non-binary, omega male born on the mainland of Honduras. La Lima to be exact. My parents were children of the great minds of Lorca, Neruda, and Quilapayun. Honduras has always been a battleground for basic human rights and the most recent turmoil has left many with no other option other than seeking refuge elsewhere. I share a vital parallel with these comrades. As a child of immigrants, our parents grow up believing that a better life exists in the United States. While my story will focus on the great outdoors and what it’s taught me, the heart of it all is exploring the world and designing my own life and opportunities in a way that my parents were never able to. By pursuing what I love, I can pay homage to the sacrifice my parents gave to give me this privilege in the first place.

My parents migrated to the United States in the late 90’s. Their move to the states ultimately resulted in them moving to Brooklyn, New York and eventually relocating to Birmingham, Alabama. I lived the majority of my life in Alabama and graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. After a short stint trying out work opportunities, I decided to move back to NYC. This time I would reside in the Bronx for 7 years, and now I’m in Colorado writing this post the day after a successful summit of Longs Peak by me and my siblings. The outdoors has a way of always being fair and within that fairness is where all the possibilities begin. For me, it’s also where some of my best memories come from. To name a few examples, I have biked across Martha’s Vineyard, hiked north rim to south rim at the Grand Canyon, seen the fall foliage at Acadia, did “The Incline” with my father, and explored the Smokies at night. I explore this country because it gives me a constant flow of opportunities to satiate my “pioneering spirit”. I’ve always had a calling to push myself physically and I realized that the Rockies were always calling. At the end of 2021, I relocated to Denver, Colorado to expand my ability to experience the outdoors in a different way. Spotlighting the therapeutic value of engaging with different natural environments is something I believe to be foundationally American. How can we ever expect to truly understand the beauty of conservation efforts if Gunnison trout fishing is a hobby only reserved for your more conventional “outdoorsman?” This is the next paternal mold I have set out to deconstruct.

Throughout my life, I have come to terms with my own privileges and how they have given me the ability to explore on my terms. You should always choose to educate yourself before setting out on any new endeavors, but getting outside is as simple as taking a step out your door. If you find that you like being outside, you should make it a habit to spend time doing so. As you begin to develop an idea for how you like to spend your time, you can begin to budget for this lifestyle in a way that makes the most sense for you. I encourage you to not be fooled by the glamor of new product releases. The real value comes from getting to know the equipment needs of your adventure and keeping your eyes out for cost-effective ways of acquiring equipment, whether that be at yard sales, estate sales, and/or seasonal sales online/in-store. I strongly believe that this is vital information that must not skip another generation. My parents never had this type of access or knowledge, but I, thankfully, now do. Therefore, giving back to my community and creating more spaces for brown and black people to thrive outdoors is my leading motivation. Latino Outdoors is blazing such a unique trail. This is our opportunity to ensure that the connection we, as Brown people, have with the nature around us, returns in a way that allows more people like us to do the same. I want people to become aware of the role they play in ensuring future generations understand how to grow with nature. The seasonality of nature is something pure. We all should cherish the beauty the world offers while still seeing the beauty that resides within us all. Why not respect the outdoors at every turn? Thoreau would be proud of such an exceptional American. For in his blind pride, he would truly understand the meaning of being good, wild, and free!

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