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Tag: Advocacy

It Started in My Backyard

por Jazzari Taylor, Policy Advocate

Every morning as a child, I could see the San Gabriel Mountains tucked between buildings across the street from my home. Their snow-covered peaks in winter, and more often than not, hazy outlines in smog-filled summers, shaped my view of afuera; what felt like another world beyond my city streets. Despite living just 10 minutes from the foothills, I rarely visited. Barriers like transportation, limited understanding of safe exploration, and a sense of cultural disconnection stood in the way.

Between the ages of 7 and 12, I joined a local summer camp that introduced me to the mountains. Little did I know those same landscapes were an extension of my backyard. As a kid, I didn’t quite grasp that connection to my hometown. It wasn’t until decades later that I returned with Latino Outdoors and Nature for All. Their programming expanded my perspective, highlighting the benefits of the outdoors, the interconnectedness of nature beyond city limits, and the confidence to explore safely.

📸Unceded homelands of the Ancestral Puebloans and the Fremont people –  learn more.

In just the past five years, that confidence has taken me beyond my community to visit and respect public lands across the country. Each place tells its own story, reminding me of the deep connection between nature, identity, and healing. From human-powered recreation like hiking, camping, kayaking, or simply breathing fresh air, I’ve found my purpose. These visits also connected me with local communities and small businesses whose livelihoods are tied directly to the landscapes around them.

 📸Unceded homelands of the Ute and Arapaho people – learn more.

Yet, every time I visited these places, I was reminded how access continues to be a challenge and how there were so many folks back at home who have never experienced these sacred lands and the many benefits they hold, in addition to not feeling safe in unfamiliar areas. Too often, people are profiled, targeted, or made to feel unwelcome based on their appearance, the language they speak, the music they listen to, the color of their skin, or their income level. Safety is a real concern, compounded by underfunded infrastructure, lack of representation, and limited transportation. For many of us, safety comes through solidarity; through group outings and community trust.

  📸 Unceded homelands of the Pit River Tribe and Modoc Peoples – learn more.

As we continue to advocate for equity, conservation, and community-centered stewardship, we must remember that protecting public lands also means protecting our stories, our identities, and our rights. These lands face constant threats, budget cuts, rollbacks, and even sell-offs. If we care about clean air, clean water, cultural survival, and inclusive access to nature, now is the time to act. Our voices and stories matter in shaping the future of conservation.

📸 Unceded homeland of the Gabrielino-Tongva, Chumash, Kitanemuk, Serrano, and Tataviam peoples – learn more.

One of the most powerful tools we have for that protection is the Antiquities Act of 1906. This law has been used for more than a century to safeguard cultural, historic, and natural treasures as national monuments. Defending the Antiquities Act means defending our shared heritage and future access to these lands, but it is currently being targeted at the Federal level of government for private investment and natural resource extraction that will impact the land, animals, and cultural sites. Now more than ever we need to hold the line for conservation and for our future

Last week, we wrapped up Hispanic Access Foundation’s Latino Conservation Week, a national celebration of cultura and community in the outdoors across “community, non-profit, faith-based, and government organizations and agencies”. We are reminded that conservation is not only about protecting landscapes, it’s about ensuring they are safe, accessible, and reflective of all communities. As we celebrate milestones like the 25th anniversary of the National Conservation Lands system, we must also look ahead.

📸 Unceded homeland of the Southern Paiute people – learn more.

Representation in our storytelling and the representatives we elect matters because our country is not a ‘one size fits all’. We are beautifully diverse. That diversity is the dream I hold onto, the hope and beauty of a conscious and changing America… but dreams alone are not enough. We must hold our leaders accountable to that vision, to act with courage, and to ensure policies reflect the voices of all communities. We need their voices to take action, because the future of our gente, conservation, and our democracy depends on it.

Together, we can ensure these breathtaking places remain protected for generations to come, and that every child, no matter where they live, can look to the outdoors and know they are safe and belong there too.

Help us tell Congress to fully fund outdoor access and protect conservation programs, and oppose policies that threaten these vital places with Outdoor Alliance. Our voices, our stories, and our future depend on it!

Advocacy Afuera: ¡Actúa ahora for Public Lands!

Latino Outdoors, alongside local business representatives, recently joined the Conservation Lands Foundation as part of the Protect California Deserts Coalition to advocate for public lands and the communities that depend on them. We began by introducing our organizations and the shared commitment we hold to protecting landscapes that sustain wildlife, provide recreation, and strengthen local economies.  During Congressman Jay Obernolte’s (CA-23) mobile office hours at Big Bear City Hall, we discussed the value of nearby national public lands, which anchor local recreation and small business activity across the region—from the mountains and nearby deserts to their backyards.

At the heart of America’s conservation legacy is the Antiquities Act, a bipartisan law signed in 1906 that has allowed presidents from both parties to protect our nation’s most treasured lands and cultural sites as national monuments. These designations safeguard places like the Sand to Snow and San Jacinto Mountains, which connect to Joshua Tree National Park, the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, and the San Bernardino Mountains. From desert valleys to high mountain forests, these landscapes are deeply interconnected. Protecting them ensures clean water, thriving ecosystems, and outdoor opportunities for all.

Today, the most pressing concern is the future of the 2001 Roadless Rule (Map), which protects nearly 4 million acres of California’s national forests from harmful industrial activities such as logging, mineral extraction, and oil-and-gas drilling. Rescinding these protections would threaten clean drinking water, animal habitat, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Roads fragment ecosystems, create fire ignition points, and degrade watersheds that supply both rural communities and cities alike. Protecting roadless areas is a bipartisan issue; it ensures that our forests remain intact for current and future generations, while supporting hunting, angling, tourism, and rural economies. Just like the Antiquities Act, the Roadless Rule is about safeguarding irreplaceable lands and the values they hold.

Protecting the outdoors is also closely tied to Latino Conservation Week (September 13–21, 2025), a national initiative that highlights the contributions of Latino communities to conservation and ensures Latino voices are centered in protecting our public lands. The week is about building connections to nature, inspiring stewardship, and showing that conservation is inclusive and benefits everyone. Our stories must be shared to show the many ways people of all backgrounds connect to the outdoors.

Now, we need your voice. The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comments on the Roadless Rule until Friday, September 19 at 11:59 PM. You can submit your own story—why these forests matter to you, families, businesses, and communities directly to the federal register. Sharing a personal perspective about recreation, clean water, cultural connections, or local livelihoods helps decision-makers understand what is at stake. Submissions can be made individually or as part of a group petition from businesses, nonprofits, and organizations across the region.

How to Comment (It takes less than a minute):

  1. Copy 1-2 talking points that resonate with you.
    1. Protect clean water sources that supply California communities.
    2. Support local economies that depend on outdoor recreation and tourism.
    3. Defend animal habitat and migration corridors.
    4. Reduce fire risks by limiting new road construction.
    5. Preserve cultural and community connections to public lands.
  2. Click here to submit directly: Regulations.gov — Comment Portal.
  3. Paste your comment, or type your own story, and hit submit.

Together, we can ensure that public lands remain protected and accessible, for clean water, healthy animal life, vibrant local economies, and outdoor enjoyment for all. Join Latino Outdoors, Conservation Lands Foundation, and community partners in speaking up before the deadline. Let’s keep working toward an outdoors that is protected and open for everyone.

References

Advocacy – From Local Parks to Public Lands – Joining Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective

Por Jazzari T. Taylor, Policy Advocate, Latino Outdoors

At a time when many of our communities are facing threats to safety and belonging, it’s more important than ever to voice your concerns and ensure that the outdoors remains a place of healing and empowerment. The fight for social justice is deeply connected to the landscapes we protect because the right to feel safe and welcome in nature is part of our shared responsibility to build a better life – one that preserves our cultures, affirms our compassion for others, and protects fundamental human rights.

Earlier this month, I joined the Outdoor Alliance Grasstops Collective’s kickoff retreat in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Grasstops Collective is designed to strengthen outdoor advocates for human-powered recreation to protect public lands and waters through policy and leadership. As a Policy Advocate with Latino Outdoors and Chair of the Parks Now Coalition, this experience gave me a chance to connect with advocates across the nation, build skills, and reflect on how our collective work can advance outdoor equity from the local to the federal level.

Days before meeting in Colorado, I came from a Parks Now Coalition fly-in with local organizations from across California, where we gathered to advocate for outdoor access and equity in the outdoors, including investments at the state level. Coming from this powerful local gathering into the national Grasstops Collective, I was reminded of the deep importance and connectivity of local communities’ experiences in the outdoors and the larger landscapes, no matter their jurisdiction. All levels of government must work together alongside Tribes and communities to address environmental justice, equitable access, and the preservation of our shared natural heritage.

 This year marks the 119th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, a vital tool that allows presidents to designate national monuments and has been used by Tribes to protect lands and waters from harmful development. As some seek to weaken this authority, it’s critical we uplift the leadership of Indigenous communities and defend their right to protect sacred places through national monument designations. 

“The Outdoor Alliance is a coalition of human-powered outdoor recreation groups united to protect public lands and advocate for the interests of outdoor enthusiasts.”

Outdoor Alliance’s 2025 Grasstops Collective cohort. Photo credit: Holly Mandarich.

Our local parks serve as gateways to the biodiversity and interconnectedness of the outdoors and the many ways to recreate. Your experience in the outdoors matters, and so does the ongoing work to protect these spaces for generations to come.

During the retreat, our cohort explored themes of conservation, climate resilience, and public engagement. We heard from policy leaders like Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources, and Patrick Donovan, State Director for Senator Michael Bennet. These discussions gave us insight into how policy is shaped and how important it is to bring community perspectives into these conversations. They also emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure the outdoors is truly for all.

As I shared in the official press release,

“I’m excited to be part of the Grasstops Collective to strengthen my advocacy skills, connect with other leaders, and shape the future of outdoor access through conservation policy. I look forward to bringing these tools back to my community and network to welcome others into this space and drive lasting policy change.”

Connecting with other advocates from across the country made it clear: while our landscapes may differ, our shared commitment to justice, conservation, and community power is what unites us. These relationships help us grow stronger and more effective in the work ahead.

Yo cuento. Tú cuentas. Nuestros cuentos tienen poder.

I matter. You matter. Our stories have power.

Our collective stories have power, and they help move this work forward. If you haven’t shared your outdoor experience yet, we encourage you to do so. Consider submitting your story to the Yo Cuento blog, use your own social media to reflect on what the outdoors means to you, or have conversations within your community – share many ways you like to recreate in the outdoors.

Let’s keep building a movement where everyone belongs. Share your voice, stay engaged, and connect with us, outdoors and in community.

Visit the Outdoor Alliance Grasstops Collective to learn more about the full Cohort 2 and help Take Action.

Press Release