Event Recap: HECHO and Office of Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján Host Virtual Panel
Santa Fe, NM – Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO), in partnership with the Office of Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján, hosted a virtual event focusing on the ways in which agricultural and community stewardship can help mitigate and adapt to climate change, while highlighting traditional land-use practices though New Mexico’s traditional acequia and land grant communities.
In addition to Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján, panelists included Kenny Salazar, Chairperson for the Santa Cruz Irrigation District, and Brent Van Dyke, Past National President for the National Association of Conservation Districts.
Sustainable agricultural practices that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as a carbon sink are important climate solutions. In New Mexico, the preservation of generations-old traditional land-use practices intertwines through acequia and land grant communities – where the customary irrigation system naturally goes with the flow of the land, is gravity fed, and reduces losses to evapotranspiration.
“I’m so glad that HECHO has brought us together to continue the important discussion on community stewardship, our time-honored traditions, and the role of New Mexico’s Hispanic community in fighting climate change,” said Assistant Speaker Luján.
Additionally, farmers and ranchers are essential to solving the climate crisis by implementing climate stewardship practices such as planting over crops, diversifying crop rotations, and no- and low-till farming. These methods increase carbon sequestration in roots and soil, in turn reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
“We’re excited to be highlighting how sustainable agricultural practices and community stewardship can play a more significant role in addressing the climate crisis,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director of HECHO.
The virtual event was HECHO’s third in a four-part series titled Climate Solutions in Action that explores the ways in which public lands may act as a solution for the climate crisis. It also encouraged community members to get involved by speaking out on climate change impacts seen in the community.
For more information about HECHO’s Climate Solutions in Action series, and to sign up for HECHO’s Digital Advocacy Network, click here.
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About HECHO
Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO) was created to help fulfill our duty to conserve and protect our public lands for future generations. We provide a platform for Hispanics/Latinos to contribute knowledge and perspectives about public land conservation. From southwestern deserts to northern forestland, Hispanics/Latinos throughout America have a strong connection to our nation's diverse landscapes. HECHO works with local Hispanic leaders to empower and support them in the conservation of our public lands, uniting communities in the protection of healthy watersheds, clean air, and robust wildlife habitats.