Featured: Broad Coalition of New Mexicans Praise Governor's New Executive Order to Protect 30% of Lands and Waters by 2030

This piece originally appeared as commentary for KRWG Public Media on August 25, 2021

By Sierra Club | 08/25/2021

Commentary: A broad coalition of New Mexico advocates today applauded Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for announcing an executive order to protect 30% of the state’s land by 2030. The order—titled “Protecting New Mexico’s Lands, Watersheds, Wildlife, and Natural Heritage”—is a critical step to conserving the state’s treasured landscapes and biodiversity for generations to come, while bolstering our economy, expanding access to the outdoors, and increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing.

Op-ed: Why the Legislative Quad Caucus supports Tracy Stone-Manning to lead the BLM

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune on July 21, 2021.

By Utah Legislative Quad Caucus: Representative Sandra Hollins, Representative Karen Kwan, Representative Ashlee Matthews, Representative Angela Romero, Representative Mark Wheatley, Senator Luz Escamilla, Senator Jani Iwamoto | 07/21/2021, 9:59 p.m. MDT

The federal Bureau of Land Management manages almost 42% of our state — 22.8 million acres of public lands. And, whether it is the sprawling desert lowlands, the spectacular snow-capped peaks of Utah or the breathtaking red-rock canyons, these lands arouse intense demands from hunters, anglers, recreationists, businesses and local governments — not to mention the flora and fauna that depend on these places for survival.

Featured: Sen. Heinrich Joins Interior Secretary Haaland As She Accepts Largest Wilderness Land Donation in U.S. History

This piece originally appeared as commentary in the Los Alamos Daily Post on July 19, 2021

Submitted by Carol A. Clark | 07/19/2021, 8:49 a.m. MDT

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) traveled to the Sabinoso Wilderness Saturday to join U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as she accepted the largest wilderness land donation in U.S. history.

The donation from the Trust for Public Land to the American people is in Cañon Ciruela, adjacent to the Sabinoso Wilderness in San Miguel County.

Op-ed: Abandoned Wells Threaten Colorado

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Daily Camera on July 1, 2021.

By Bianca McGrath-Martinez, HECHO Program Manager | 07/01/2021 at 11:32 a.m.

Our communities rely on public lands for clean air and water, and for opportunities to connect with the land. Our identities are intertwined with the health of our public lands, and when properly stewarded, we are the beneficiaries. But a growing crisis of abandoned oil and gas wells on federal public lands threatens our clean air and water.

HECHO in the News, Oil & GasBianca McGrath-MartinezJuly 1, 2021Op-Ed, Oil and Gas, Colorado, Bianca McGrath-MartinezComment

Featured: Biden Reimagines FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps to Fight Climate Change

This piece originally appeared as an article featured in KQED on April 29, 2021.

By Judy Fahys, InsideClimate News | 04/29/2021 12:00 AM MST

Amy Kuo saw firsthand how powerful it can be to tackle the big problems of our times in small ways when she was on a California Conservation Corps work crew a few years ago in the sweltering summer heat deep in a forest outside of Los Angeles. Kuo, now a legislative analyst for the corps, recalls slogging upstream, sometimes waist deep in water or poison oak, hauling gasoline, chain saws and other heavy gear to clear fallen trees and debris blocking the riverbed.

HECHO in the NewsadminApril 29, 2021Article, Civilian Conservation Corps, Environmental Justice (EJ)Comment

Featured: Democrats move to halt Ariz. copper mine

This piece originally appeared as an article featured on E&E News on April 29, 2021.

By Jennifer Yachnin, E&E News reporter | 04/29/2021 12:00 AM MST

Democratic lawmakers moved a step closer to thwarting a proposed copper mine in Arizona last night, as the House Natural Resources Committee approved a measure to unwind a land exchange for the site.

Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) won approval of his H.R. 1884, the "Save Oak Flat Act," on a party-line vote, 23-20.

HECHO in the News, Oak FlatadminApril 29, 2021Oak Flat, Article, Environmental Justice (EJ), ArizonaComment

Featured: Governor Lujan Grisham Signs Legislation to End Proposed Gila Diversion

Community leaders and nonprofit organizations are applauding New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for signing House Bill 200 into law today. The legislation, which was co-sponsored by Reps. Matthew McQueen and Nathan Small and Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart and Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, ends the proposed Gila diversion project and fast-tracks the spending of the remaining approximately $80 million in the NM Unit Fund for priority water projects, creating long-term water security and jobs in southwest New Mexico (Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties).

HECHO in the NewsGuest BloggerApril 6, 2021Article, New Mexico, Kent SalazarComment

Op-ed: Congress has opportunity to protect Grand Canyon region

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Arizona Capitol Times on March 12, 2021.

By Sandy Bahr, Director for the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter and Amber Wilson Reimondo, Energy Program Director at the Grand Canyon Trust | 03/12/2021 12:00 AM MST

The Grand Canyon Protection Act was recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Raύl Grijalva and passed in the House and has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. The bills will permanently protect about 1 million acres of public lands surrounding Grand Canyon from the harmful and lasting damage of new uranium mining.

Op-ed: Biden’s executive orders on climate change bring welcome optimism

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Arizona Mirror on February 12, 2021.

By Arizona Councilmember for District 5, David Luna | 02/12/2021 2:00 PM MST

Last month, President Joe Biden took bold action via executive order to fix our broken oil and gas leasing system, as well as to protect wildlife habitat, clean water, and conserve 30% of our land and waters by 2030. On behalf of a community that is impacted by oil and gas development, and that experiences health challenges as a result of climate change impacts, I support the measures the president took to pause oil and gas leasing on federal public lands, and protecting our lands and waters.

LTE: Confirming Rep. Haaland as Interior secretary would benefit outdoor recreation opportunities in Utah

This piece originally appeared as a Letter to the editor in The Salt Lake Tribune on January 26, 2021.

By HECHO National Advisory Board Member, Representative Mark Archuleta Wheatley | The Public Forum — 1/26/2021 6:00 AM MST

Like so many people during the pandemic, getting outdoors has been invaluable for my mental health — hiking at one of my favorite state parks, Antelope Island, has offered me solitude and respite. To continue to enjoy the special places we all love, we need to conserve these places and the wildlife they support. That’s why I support the nomination of Congresswoman Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary. I know she will ensure that our public lands and waterways are safeguarded for our families to enjoy and that she will ensure more people have access to the outdoors.

LTE: Confirm Haaland

This piece originally appeared as a Letter to the editor in The Santa Fe New Mexican on January 24, 2021.

By HECHO National Advisory Board Chair, Rock Ulibarri — 1/24/2021 2:00 AM PT

My family was one of the original families that settled Las Vegas, N.M. For generations, my family has lived off the land, growing food in the summer and hunting at the first snow to prepare for the winter. I am chairman of the advisory board for Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO). This deep connection to the land has led me to advocate for the responsible management of our public lands so that wildlife populations will flourish for generations to come. That’s why I’m so supportive of the nomination of U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland to lead the Department of the Interior.

HECHO in the NewsGuest BloggerJanuary 25, 2021LTE, Advisory Board, Rock Ulibarri, Department of Interior (DOI), New MexicoComment

LTE: State Must Lead on Clean Energy

This piece originally appeared as a Letter to the editor in The Las Vegas Sun on January 8, 2021.

By HECHO National Advisory Board Member, and Nevada State Senator, Moises Denis — 12/08/2021 2:00 AM PT

In 2020, the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released the Nevada State Climate Strategy, setting in motion the sustainable future Nevadans deserve.

Advancing Nevada’s climate goals has been at the forefront of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s leadership. In 2019, he signed Senate Bill 358 into law, raising our state’s renewable portfolio standard to 50% by 2030. As a primary sponsor of that bill, it was crucial to set this ambitious goal and take action on climate change. It passed unanimously, a major bipartisan accomplishment.

HECHO in the NewsGuest BloggerJanuary 11, 2021LTE, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Nevada, Moises Denis, Advisory BoardComment

Op-ed: The spotlight must remain on climate solutions

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Santa Fe New Mexican on October 31, 2020.

By HECHO National Advisory Board Member, and former San Miguel County Commissioner, Rock Ulibarri — 10/31/2020 12:00 AM MDT

Currently, all of New Mexico’s residents are in drought — 2,060,000 people. Over 46 percent of the state is in extreme drought, with more than 30 percent in severe drought (drought.gov/drought/states/new-mexico). We know a decrease in rainfall and snow has increasing implications for our water supply. The unreliable Rio Grande has put farmers at risk.

Op-ed: Feds need to act to protect Grand Canyon from mining

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Arizona Daily Sun on October 23, 2020.

By HECHO National Advisory Board Member, and Coconino County Treasurer, Elizabeth Archuleta — 10/23/2020 12:00 AM MDT

Arizona has been home to five generations of my family. I am the fourth generation and am proud of our long history of protecting public lands and natural treasures.

As a six term Coconino County Supervisor, I have worked to continue that tradition as an elected leader. I have consistently supported and fought for protection of Northern Arizona’s lands, so that future generations can enjoy and benefit from them as we have. When it comes to banning uranium mining at the Grand Canyon, we need our federally elected leaders in Washington D.C. to join hands to protect our state’s most iconic and cherished natural landmark. Protection of the Grand Canyon is not a partisan issue, it is a “bread and butter” issue.

Op-ed: Selling off public lands sells out present and future Nevadans

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Las Vegas Sun Times on September 30, 2020.

By HECHO National Advisory Board Member, and Nevada State Senator, Moises “Mo” Denis — 09/30/2020 2:00 AM MDT

Growing up, I was shaped by my time outdoors, hiking and camping with my family. Now, I’ve made it a priority to keep myself and my children connected to the outdoors, both for recreation and as a place of respite and rejuvenation from the fast pace of life.

Op-ed: William Perry Pendley is not fit to lead land agency

After outrage from communities and leaders across the country, the Trump administration finally withdrew their nomination of William Perry Pendley to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). While this is a win for our communities and public lands, the fight is not over yet. Pendley is still serving – likely illegally – as acting director, and his power poses a direct threat to the Grand Canyon and surrounding communities. The recent release of a report from a Trump administration task force that recommends a handout to the uranium industry left many people fearful for the future of our nation’s crown jewel. With Pendley, who formerly sued the federal government on behalf of a mining company attempting to mine near the Grand Canyon, still serving, the future of this National Park looks even bleaker.

Op-ed: Utah’s public lands are what make it special, and they must be protected

Utah’s public lands are the envy of other states, and they draw countless visitors from all over the world. They also are at the heart of what it means to be a Utahn — no matter your background. Growing up, I spent a majority of my free time outdoors, hunting elk and deer on our public lands to put food on the table. Now, as a state representative, I feel an even greater sense of duty to protect these places so that families like mine can continue to enjoy and recreate on our public lands, particularly during these difficult times.

Op-ed: The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Will Keep Us Connected to Nature

The desire to connect with the outdoor world runs deep in my family. My grandfather owned a farm in Mexico, where my father and his brothers worked the land daily. My mother grew up in Guatemala, surrounded by green trees, quetzal birds, and volcanoes. When my parents reminisce about their childhoods, their favorite stories all happened outside.

Op-ed: Wildlife corridors keep our cultural traditions alive

For the past seven generations, my family has lived and cultivated the land on our property in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with ancestors that were among the first to settle Las Vegas, New Mexico. With our back fence bordering a national forest, we are rarely indoors. Like many New Mexicans, my family enjoys the nature that surrounds us. We are avid anglers, campers, hikers and hunters.

Op-ed: My daughter and I love to explore Arizona, but it may soon get harder (for all of us)

When my daughter, Vida, was 3, she wanted to go on an adventure.

We packed up our backpacks with snacks, notebooks, crayons and water, and set out to explore the outdoors. We headed to Phoenix’s Piestewa Peak to climb rocks and investigate various plants and animals, and had an inspiring day that sparked our curiosity for the natural world right in our own backyard.

Vida is 8 now and a proud member of the Girl Scouts, where I also work. I watch as she and her troop members learn new skills, push the boundaries of their imaginations and nurture their connections to the earth.

I am also struck when I see Latino families in Phoenix grow closer each year when we gather at South Mountain Park to go camping, practice archery and cook dinner on the open fire. All of the generations bond for this special experience in the outdoors that is becoming increasingly rare in our urban culture.

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