Public lands are crucial for the preservation of history, conservation of land, and public access to nature. They are areas of land and water that U.S. citizens own and are managed by government agencies and, at times, by sovereign nations. They encompass ancestral homelands, migration routes, and other culturally significant places for Indigenous Peoples who have been forcibly removed.
In this blog series, we’ll be exploring public lands in the U.S. that hold cultural and historical significance to Latine people. These places are currently at risk from recent staffing and funding cuts. Now more than ever, it’s important for us to recognize their past, current, and future significance for preserving our land and cultures.
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, or “Royal Road of the Interior,” is a 1,600-mile route running from Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico, that connected Spain’s colonial capital Mexico City to New Mexico. It was added to the U.S. National Trails System in 2000 as El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail and is currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.
For centuries, Indigenous communities walked alongside the bison, coyotes, and foxes of the Great Plains into the arid land of the cacti, agaves, and yuccas in the Chihuahuan Desert regions. These foot trails linked their homes and cultures long before European arrival and the establishment of what would be known as El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro.
In August of 1598, Don Juan de Oñate of Spain, also known as adelantado, arrived at Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo), a short distance from what is now Santa Fe, New Mexico. He successfully established the first colony in New Mexico after navigating several shortcuts along the route from Mexico City, including the infamous Jornada del Muerto, a 90-mile stretch of waterless desert starting in Las Cruces and ending south of Socorro, New Mexico. This successful bypass avoided a more difficult path along the Rio Grande that was impassable for carretas and livestock, allowing the movement of colonists and missionaries in New Mexico.
Image by National Park Service
After Oñate’s expedition, miners used El Camino Real as a trade route to transport silver extracted from Zacatecas, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosí, and mercury imported from Europe. Like all trade routes, more than just goods were exchanged. Social, religious, and cultural links formed along the route, and Indigenous and mestizo guides helped travelers navigate the trail. We can see the echoes of these cultural exchanges, oftentimes forced, in surrounding communities today.
As the route became formalized,parajeswere established along the route. These were strategically located in terms of shelter, terrain, and water. People gathered, rested, and exchanged goods or information at parajes, which eventually became pueblos like Querétaro, Durango, and Albuquerque.
With the influx of people also came conflict, disease, and hunger. Pueblos along the route endured religious persecution, heavy taxation, and forced labor through the repartimiento system. These hardships, along with the destruction caused by foreign diseases, drought, and famine, led to the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Po’Pay, a religious leader from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, led the revolt, driving the Spanish out of New Mexico and halting traffic on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro.
Over the next two centuries, the trail saw periods of conflict and peace and permanent cultural shifts. The route continued to be used during the Spanish period (until 1821), the Mexican period (until 1846), and the beginning of American rule. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad ended the traffic on El Camino Real, but railroads and highways like I-25 still run parallel to some original sections of the trail.
You can visit several landmarks along this public land trail. Please check before visiting any public trail sites for visiting hours and regulations. Trail sites may be privately owned, municipally, tribally, federally, or in state ownership.
Public lands provide access to culturally significant sites, including those important to Indigenous and Latine communities. El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a historic route linking Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a key example of public lands that are rich in multicultural significance. These public lands face threats from funding cuts, highlighting the need for continued advocacy to protect these cultural landmarks.
You can help us with our mission to protect public lands. We’re collecting stories that celebrate and preserve the diversity of the outdoors. Tell us your park story and share what public lands mean to you on the Yo Cuento blog.
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.
On July 1, 2024, six Latinx individuals, led and organized by Latino Outdoors’ Los Angeles outings leader Elias Naser, began their ascent up to Mt. Tumanguya (aka Mt. Whitney). Tumanguya is the name given by the Northern Paiute tribes, in rough translation, “old man” or “guardian spirit”, of the highest peak in the lower 48 states of the contiguous United States sitting at 14,500ft (4419.6m). It is situated inside the Sierra Nevadas and the Great Basin Divide in California.
The six explorers, Elias, Remigio Mateo (LO Los Angeles), Ruby Aguirre-Gutierrez (LO San Francisco Bay Area), Rosa, Alonso, and Danny, set foot at the Whitney Portal the day before ascending (June 30, 2024) to acclimate at approx 8,333ft (2540m). The portal serves as an entrance into the “guardian spirit.” The six explorers on day zero also recognized and acknowledged the lands home to the Northern Paiute and Shosone peoples who were there, are still there, and forever will be the original stewards of this beautiful and prosperous landscape.
Mt. Tumanguya can be summitted in a day, yet Elias was able to secure the overnight permits after years of applying for the US Forest Service lottery. At the Portal Campground, Ruby (LO San Francisco Bay Area) expressed thoughts and feelings of excitement, nervousness, and anxiety, yet feeling grateful for the adventure. The party ate in the town of Lone Pine, right below Mt. Tumanguya, gathering there prior to the ascent up to the Portal campground. The sound of the rushing water of Lone Pine Creek next to the party provided soothing white noise. The smell of an extinguished campfire where they all gathered to express their gratitude for being present with one another on an incredible journey they would all share and never forget.
Day 1 (July 1) was full of excitement, and they all made a plan to rise by dawn and get moving with all their equipment. Many of them had an average of 35 lbs on their backs while ascending approximately 3800 ft (1158m). The first day they passed by Lone Pine Lake as their first stop, then “Entering the Whitney Zone” to ascend to take a break at Outpost Camp. They made their way to Mirror Lake, dipping their feet or body to freshen up. Danny and Ruby enjoyed the dip in cold clean water, looking up they were able to witness the peak’s edge of Tumanguya. This location was the last of the trees before the ascent up to Trailside Meadow, which had water rushing down with beautiful Sky pilot plants growing adjacent to the water melt coming up from Trail camp. The granite slabs of Tumanguya were caused by a fault system that runs along the Sierra’s eastern base, which felt like being on a lunar landscape. The last 2 – 10 million years of this granite rose underneath what is now the “guardian spirit”, enabling glacial and river erosion to reveal what they saw.
The temperature conditions were perfect all the way up. Remi was the first to make it up to Trail camp, our most experienced hiker ascending Tumanguya multiple times, with Alonso was right behind him. Elias and Rosa were at the back of the group enjoying the views. The stars came out, showcasing the Milky Way clearly near midnight. The 7.5 miles (12.1km) were not easy, especially with the backpack weight, yet Elias described the satisfaction of being at Trail camp as an accomplishment in itself. He expressed the sights of snow along the peaks leading up to Tumanguya. With food in their belly, they hit the sleeping sacks, ready to rise when Sol showed its face. Alonso was able to stay up snapping great pictures, with his media-rich equipment, of those hiking through the night on their one-day excursions (typically between 12-16 hours).
Day 2 (July 2), was a split party up to Tumanguya, with Remi, Ruby, and Alonso leading the way at sunrise, Elias, and Danny right behind. Rosa’s main goal was to make it to Trail camp where she heard the “old guardian spirit” call her name to make it up for the ultimate goal. Upon the ascent known as the 99 switchbacks that rose 1700 ft (518 m) in about 2 miles at about 13000 ft (3962 m), the air was a lot thinner yet they witnessed some spectacular sights. Remi described viewing Guitar Lake about a mile to the summit,
“we are quite a special life form on this planet, where we are able to live and experience such beauty and share it with great amigxs!”
Ruby described Day 2 going up in elevation surprised by her own body’s strength. Danny and Elias made their way up the 99 switchbacks, as the two have been friends since high school, sharing stories of their youth playing music in a band together, and discussing their next adventure in Mt. Rainier National Park. As all party members summited Tumanguya, all felt the energy radiating from this amazing source, believing great weather conditions throughout the trip were in part from the positive energy placed on day zero (June 30).
The sights from the top were nothing but spectacular, imagining what the first peoples of this land may have witnessed and experienced when up there. One can only imagine as well how far Nuestra Madre Tierra heals herself, while human-made climate changes are affecting her without a solution in sight from our “progress” in human development. Chief Seattle of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples, who Seattle, WA is named after, once stated,
“The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
Upon this reflection, Elias came to the conclusion that, although this moment in time, however short or long it is, we will need to protect our sacred earth for generations to come, in urgent speed. The mandated use of wag bags which they abided by, was simply one piece in the solution to respect the “old man”, yet the urgency to preserve nuestra madre tierra is even more prevalent as human-made climate change is affecting so much and for generations to come.
Upon their last night at Trail camp before finishing out the trip, rest was a priority but so was celebrating the ascent up the tallest peak in the lower 48 contiguous states. LO leaders and party members were humbled, fatigued, and excited to get back to “civilization” all while reflecting on the strength and resiliency of what their bodies just went through.
Day 3 (July 3) back to the Portal campground from Trail camp, they hit the ground running at sunrise, ready to witness the trail coming down. The Tumanguya portal store was their reward where they had a real cooked meal. They were grateful to come back unharmed, confident, and with a sense of accomplishment in their hearts. This was something special for Elias, who had a vision and organized a party worthy of Tumanguya’s spirit.
They couldn’t have done this without our collaborated support for one another to push through, and for the help Latino Outdoors, as an organization, provided this party of six explorers. They are forever grateful to experience meeting Tumanguya with their tired yet strong feet.
