Donate

Tag: Latino Outdoors

How to be a Latino Outdoors Trailblazer and Make a Career

Authors: Maria F. “Masi” Mejia and Cynthia Espinosa Marrero

 As Latinos continue to grow demographically, we are reaching new heights not only outdoors but also indoors. In her Study, Taylor (2004), stated that “ethnic minorities are severely underrepresented in the environmental workforce” (p. 4).  This quote can serve as a statement that representation of minorities is needed in the environmental workforce. By acquiring an environmental-related degree, Latinos are becoming part of the environmental movement, workforce and applying their cultural knowledge which is crucial. We, at Latino Outdoors, have been able to turn our experiences in the outdoors into higher education and ultimately careers and so can you! 

Some of us connected to the land at an early age and some of us at a later age, by camping, hiking, hunting, gardening, amongst other recreational activities. These various experiences exposed us to education and career opportunities that are possible in the outdoors. The possibilities are endless! To become a successful outdoor professional from a park ranger to wildlife veterinarian, one must pursue education from a high school diploma to a Doctor in Philosophy. Education should never cease, as it is something that no one can ever take away from you.

Maria F. "Masi" Mejia, pursuing a Master of Science at Texas Tech University in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management.

Maria F. “Masi” Mejia, pursuing a Master of Science at Texas Tech
University in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management.

Cynthia Espinosa Marrero, pursuing a Masters of Science at Antioch University New England in Environmental Studies concentrating in Environmental Education.

Cynthia Espinosa Marrero, pursuing a Masters of Science at Antioch University New England in Environmental Studies concentrating in Environmental Education.

 There are lots of opportunities available to students who are interested in careers in the outdoors.  We have compiled a list to help make any individual interested in pursuing a career in the field of natural resource management and recreation successful:

High School

For individuals entering high school or in their teens, it is important to Get Outside! When you get outside you connect with other outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. During these outdoors experiences, it is at this moment that you should ask as many questions as you can. Asking professionals and outdoor enthusiasts how they got to where they are can show you just how diverse people are. The classes that you engage more in high school will add more knowledge and experience! Don’t forget to take your ACT or SAT during your junior or senior year of high school. These academic placements tests, along with other qualifications are needed to enter a higher education institution to pursue an undergraduate degree in something you love.

Undergraduate Degrees

Undergraduate degrees in this field include environmental education, conservation biology, wildlife management, outdoors recreation, natural resource management, advocacy and social justice, sustainable development…the possibilities are endless! Degrees in other fields can also be applied to this field such as accounting and marketing, as they are essential to environmental organizations and agencies. Generally speaking, there are two types of undergraduate degrees. A Bachelors of Arts is a degree that focuses more on liberal arts classes related to the career field. A Bachelors of Science is a degree that focuses more scientific classes related to the career field. Both types of degrees are extremely valuable to natural resource management and recreation. You might want to ask yourself what job you envision yourself doing. A bachelor of science might be more valuable if you want to become a wildlife biologist. A bachelor of arts might be more valuable if you want to become involved in advocacy and social justice.

Graduate Degrees

The thirst for knowledge should never end. As an individual you should always continue to learn whether it is informally or formally. Graduate degrees in this field include Masters of Arts, Masters of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. The differences in masters of arts and masters of science is similar to above. Typically a Master’s degree takes about 2-3 years to complete. An individual takes classes while working on research related to the field of natural resource management and recreation. A Doctor of Philosophy degree is next degree to pursue in higher education. A doctoral degree can take about 3-5 years to complete depending on the research.

A degree in higher education regardless of bachelors, masters, or doctor of philosophy means greater career opportunities in the environmental field!

As Latinos we should strive not only to pursue higher education, but to pursue higher education in career fields we love. For those of us who were able to connect the outdoors to a career we love, we are leaders of tomorrow.


Be sure to reach out to reach out to either of the authors listed above or your regional Latino Outdoors Ambassador to find out how your love of the outdoors can lead to a career!

 

References:

Taylor, D. (2004). Diversity and the Environment: Myth-Making and the Status of Minorities in the Field. Equity and the Environment. Research and Social Problems and Public Policy, Volume 15. pp. 89-147.

 

Guest Post: Protecting our Public Lands

This is a guest post from Joe Camacho, a first-year Master of Education Program candidate at the University of Washington . Joe participated in the 2014 4 Stops 1 Destination tour by the Hispanic Access Foundation. He wrote this piece reflecting on the topics he learned during the trip. 

Want to contribute to our blog? We accept guest entries! For more information or to submit a post, emails us at info@latinooutdoors.org. 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Over 278 million people visit national parks yearly, yet only 9 percent are Latino, according to the American Latino Heritage Fund. On a recent trip sponsored by the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF), seven Latino college students traveled to six national parks across the West. This experience was filled with “firsts” for the students – first time mountain biking, first time white water rafting, and for some, first time visiting the parks. While many of the activities were foreign to the students, they all hold the same stance when it comes to protecting public lands. In fact, the 2012 Colorado College poll found that 87 percent of Latinos list the protection of parks, clean air and water as a top issue.

Joe Camacho 3

What many people do not know is that the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) helps protect our nation’s public lands and even helps create new parks.

The LWCF, established in 1965, has been one of the most successful strides towards conserving public lands in the United States. It has permanently protected over five million acres of public lands. How does this fund protect so much land? Offshore drilling companies pay royalties to the government to offset the damage that comes from the process of oil extraction. A portion of the money collected from offshore drilling is directed to the LWCF, which in turn is used toward protecting land, water and recreation areas in the United States. In theory, this is a great idea!

Yet here’s a reality check: in 2013, the Department of the Interior collected approximately $9 billion from offshore energy production, but only $305 million went towards LWCF and the programs LWCF funds. It is apparent that something isn’t right. In 40 years, Congress has fully funded the LWCF at its $900 million cap twice. A fully funded LWCF ensures that the lands that the HAF group visited will remain protected for generations to come.

It’s a no-brainer that the LWCF should be used for its full-intended purpose. This isn’t a Republican or a Democrat issue – it’s a human issue. We have a responsibility to protect our nation’s public lands. It’s about time that we fully fund LWCF before there is nothing left to conserve.

Joe Camacho 10

Joe Camacho is currently at completing a 10-month residency at IslandWood in their Graduate Program in Education for Environment and Community, with the University of Washington. Four days a week he teaches children from urban Seattle and surrounding counties the importance of environmental and community stewardship. This past Summer, working with the National Park Service and Geo Corps America , Joe created the first National Junior Ranger Program on Caves and Karst.

After graduation Joe looks forward to being an Earth Science Educator. 

Summer Youth Camp at Salt Point State Park

I have seen the immense value of taking a group of Jr. and High School students camping every year.  The students learn valuable skills, they also create wonderful memories and connections with the outdoors, friends, siblings and youth leaders.

Latino Outdoors Regional Coordinator Melissa Avery and Esperanza Viva Youth Leaders Jesse Avery and Nate Rische took five high school students camping on three day/two night camping trip at Woodside Campgrounds at Salt Point State Park (August 2014).  The students enjoyed learning outdoor skills, hiking, camping, playing soccer, cooking, and much more.  Salt Point State Park was a great location to camp near the beautiful Northern California Coast.

“I liked how we played soccer on the beach, but the ocean was very cold and I’m scared of sharks.”
Simon ~ 8th Grade (Stump Beach Cove)

At Camp…

Everyone is usually very excited to get to “camp,” most of our students have been camping before with their families but none of them had ever set up their “own camp.”  As good youth leaders, we gave the students a few moments to enjoy their natural surroundings before we started handing out responsibilities and tasks.

SaltPointCampTent1

Our students had never set up their own camps so to their shock, and even though we had told them many times before, many expected the “adults” to set up camp for them.  We love teaching responsibility to our students and having them set up their own camp is a great way to do it!  Since everything is a race with teenagers, the boys scurried off to their campsite to build their tents while the girls timidly started setting up their own tent.

SaltpointCamptent2

I was particularly proud of my girl students because not only did they “beat” the boys in setting up their tent but they also set up their tent  correctly on the first try!

“I liked how we learned to make fire and how we cooked all our food on the campfire.”
Simon ~ 8th grade

SaltPointFood

“I enjoyed teaching the students to chop firewood and different methods of how to start a campfire.”
Jesse ~ EV Youth Leader

SaltPointMakingFire

FIRE! One of the primal elements of life was one of the favorite teaching moments among the students and leaders during the camping trip.  Many times growing up in the urban environment children are taught fire is dangerous but never taught how to use it as a survival tool.  Jesse taught the students how to make kindling and properly start a fire with matches and magnesium fire kit.  The students were really enthralled with trying to start the campfire with magnesium!

In addition to making fire to keep us warm, all meals were cooked by fire and the students were responsible for preparing their own meals, something the kids had never experienced before.

The Beach and California Coastal Cliffs…

SaltPointBWOverlooking

“I liked hiking to the coastal cliffs because I’ve never done that before.”
Andrew ~ 9th grade

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Two of our four main “activities” included the beautiful Northern California Coast: hiking to Sentinel Rock Viewing Platform, and enjoying the beach at Stump Beach Cove.  Unfortunately, we never found the viewing platform because the students were so enthralled with the cliffs and tafoni formations in the sandstone along the way.

SPSTCoastline

At Stump Beach Cove (1st picture) the students played soccer and relaxed in the sun.  I had the opportunity to sit and stare at the ocean with Ashley, a high school senior.  We talked, looked at the marine debris washing up on the shore and to our surprise harbor seal popped up several times along the cove.  That was very memorable for the both of us because we could see it staring directly at us!

Hiking and Huckleberries…

GroupPic

My favorite outdoor activity to do with students is hike, for many reasons!  Learning and teaching by “experiencing” in the outdoors is a great way to effectively teach what a classroom might take away.  Teenagers also have a lot of energy despite of their “sleepiness” and hiking drains their energy in a good way!

We had two main hiking locations at Salt Point State Park.  First we attempted to find the beautiful Rhododendron flowers at the Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve and second we hiked through the Pygmy Forest.

At the rhododendron reserve we were unfortunately a couple months too late to enjoy the flowers at the actual reserve but we later realized we had seen them all along drive up the coast.  We still had great time on our two mile hike.  We had lunch among the redwoods and even had some students and leaders drinking straight from the creeks which they found very amusing (with a water filter, Lifestraw).  New experiences for every one!

The Pygmy Forest was a favorite for many!  During this hike, we were able to find a multitude of huckleberries and a few blackberries which the students hesitantly tried.  Eventually, I had to tell my “pickiest eater” student to stop eating so many huckleberries because we actually had to finish hiking!!

We were hiking among giant trees all morning and once we reached the “top” of the hill we were in a completely different environment.  The students kept asking why the trees where tiny…eventually we found a kiosk and learned about the geology of the Pygmy Forest, while we ate leftover carne asada and snacks!  Personally, I loved walking through a forest with trees the same height as myself.

PygmyTrees

“My favorite part was hiking…it helped me take my mind off of things.”
Ashley ~ 12th Grade

SPSTHiking

“I liked when we hiked along the little trees (Pygmy Forest), I just liked hiking.”
Josue ~ 10th Grade

SPSTPygmy

“Berry picking!  Also, I loved how every tree had a “face” on in it!”
Elizabeth ~ 9th Grade

HuckleBerry1

“It was really exciting to see the teenagers, who barely have a chance to get out of their neighborhoods except to go get fast-food, be able to pick and eat wild berries right off the vine.”
Nate ~ EV Youth Leader

Huckelberry2

As a youth leader, I truly love watching my students just explore nature’s surroundings.  Just as I enjoy watching my own children explore the forests, beaches and mountains, I love hearing what my students think of the outdoors.

Collage2

From overcoming fears and complaints turning into requests, are some of the things I most look forward to when I take a group outdoors.  Hastily drinking from the camp water spigot to drinking from a creek, complaining about hiking then wishing we could have hiked more are some of the turnarounds I enjoyed on this trip.  More importantly, I enjoy how being outdoors fosters long lasting and meaningful relationships with my students so my fellow youth leaders and I can help them grow into contributing members to our community.

For more pictures please visit our Facebook Album: Click Here

Thank you to the Resources Legacy Fund and the Bay Area Wilderness Training for your support, gear and training to getting youth outdoors and the Latino community outdoors. Thank you to the parents who entrusted us with their children and to my fellow youth leaders Jesse Avery and Nate Rische.

LOProfileMelissa is a LO Regional Coordinator for the San Francisco Bay Area where she works to partner with organizations and facilitate outdoor activities with families and youth students.  She also is a youth leader at her local church and an outdoor family blogger at Chasqui Mom, where she writes about her personal outdoor family adventures.