Event Recap: Clean Economy Solutions in Action: Rural Renewable Energy and Broadband through Cooperatives

On Thursday, community members across the nation joined HECHO, Luis Reyes, CEO of Kit Carson Electrical Cooperative, and Christopher Miller, President of Guzman Energy to hear the story of how Kit Carson Electric has transitioned to 100% daytime solar energy.

Electric cooperatives have the potential to be a major force in the clean economy as they can provide a path for rural communities to thrive as they transition away from fossil fuels, and provide affordable energy to families. Additionally, one recent study found that “electric cooperatives supported nearly 612,000 American jobs and contributed $440 billion in U.S. gross domestic product from 2013 to 2017.”

HCLCGuest UserMay 26, 2021Event Recap, Renewable Energy, New MexicoComment

Blog: How Rural Electric Cooperatives Power Local Climate Action

Rural electric cooperatives can improve resilience to climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

Across the country, climate change fuels natural disasters, affecting every state, territory, and Tribal Nation. Only two years ago, the Midwest witnessed multiple once-in-a-century floods in the same year. Higher temperatures and drought have created the conditions for devastating megafires in the western United States. This spring, extreme weather froze Texas’ energy infrastructure, leading to dangerous blackouts across the state.

adminMay 19, 2021Joint Blog, Event Recap, Renewable Energy, New MexicoComment

Event Recap: Leading the Way for Solar Energy in Colorado’s San Luis Valley

On December 16, HECHO hosted the final installment of our Climate Solutions in Action Series, Solar Energy Zones, dedicated to strengthening Hispanic voice and visibility in public lands decision-making and advocacy.

The event focused on the importance of Solar Energy in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, and explored various land-based solutions to climate change. Co-hosted in collaboration with Mike Kruger, President of the Colorado Solar & Storage Association, HECHO was joined by panelists including HECHO Advisory Board Member and Colorado State Representative, Donald Valdez, Executive Director of the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, Christine Canaly, Joe Vieira, of the Bureau of Land Management, and Sam Sours, of Community Energy Solar.

Event Recap: Holiday Cocktails & Conservation

Nearly 25 people joined HECHO on Tuesday, December 15 for our Holiday Cocktails & Conservation event to hear stories of traditions rooted in our Hispano cultural connection to the land. Enjoying a demonstration of our event’s signature drink, Abuelita Hot Cocoa with Kahlua, participants also engaged in a conversation regarding special memories and traditions that take place for many Hispano people during the Christmas season.

A newly formed tradition for HECHO, Holiday Cocktails & Conservation opened dialogue for community members to share their own cultural traditions around the Holidays. Sisters Juliana and Theresa Huereña demonstrated their family recipe of mince-meat empanadas made of game meat from hunting and pinyons traditionally gathered from forest trees. Founding Board Member, Kent Salazar, shared his seasonal hunting tradition, and community member, Steve Peru shared a beautiful remembrance of his late mother and their special camping memories.

Guest UserDecember 28, 2020Cocktails & Conservation, Event Recap, Traditional Land Uses, Liz Archuleta, Advisory BoardComment

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.

Event Recap: Combatting Climate Change through Forest Restoration

On November 10, HECHO hosted the next installment of our ongoing series, Climate Solutions in Action, dedicated to strengthening Hispanic voice and visibility in public lands decision-making and advocacy. The event focused on the importance and impact of forest restoration, the importance of forest health, and how forest industries and agencies are responding to climate change. HECHO was joined by panelists, Heather Provencio, Kaibab National Forest Supervisor, Jay Smith, Coconino County Forest Restoration Director, Devon Suarez, of Suarez Forestry LLC, and Sasha Storz, National Forest Foundation Arizona Program Manager.

Event Recap: HECHO and New Mexico State Land Office Host Virtual Panel

Intersection of Clean Energy and the Climate Crisis Focus of Panel With Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, Representative Abbas Akhil, Pattern Energy VP, and RETA Ex. Director

SANTA FE, NM – Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO), in partnership with the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO), and Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, hosted a virtual event focusing on cl

HCLCGuest UserSeptember 17, 2020Event Recap, Climate Solutions in Action, Climate Change, New Mexico, Renewable Energy, Stephanie Garcia RichardComment

Event Recap: Latino Conservation Week 2020

From roundtable discussions, to a new blog series, and digital events with outdoor partnerships, this year’s Latino Conservation Week proved to be spectacular for the HECHO team. Though this year’s Latino Conservation Week has come and gone, we hope that the momentum of LCW goes beyond its week time frame as we continue to celebrate, learn, and make space for our community in conservation. Catch up on a few of the ways that we celebrated LCW202O!

Guest UserJuly 31, 2020Event Recap, Latino Conservation WeekComment

Event Recap: Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO) Hosts Roundtable Discussion for Full Conservation Funding of Great American Outdoors Act with Senator Tom Udall’s Office

HECHO, in partnership with ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), hosted a virtual roundtable with community leaders and small businesses to discuss the Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), and the ways in which the legislation will benefit New Mexico.

Panelists included Senator Udall, HECHO Executive Director, Camilla Simon, HECHO Board Member and Chairman-Elect of the National Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors, Kent Salazar, Enchanted Circle Trails Association representative, Carl Colonias, Southern NM Trails Alliance representative, Matt Mason, Santa Fe City Councilor, Renee Villarreal, and Roswell City Councilor, Judy Stubbs.

adminJuly 15, 2020Event Recap, Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)Comment

Event Recap: Sharing Personal Connections Through Letters to the Editor

Community members across the nation joined HECHO on Wednesday to participate in the Advocacy Training Series to learn about Letters to the Editor (LTE), and why they are an essential advocacy tool in having our voices heard on issues from racial inequity to the protection of our public lands. Speakers included the HECHO team, Elvia Diaz, Editor of La Voz Arizona, and Frank Moraga, journalist, publisher, and editor of AmigosNAZ.

Event Recap: May 27, 2020 Digital Briefing and Advocacy Training to Protect the Grand Canyon

Advocates for the Grand Canyon came together on Wednesday for a digital briefing and advocacy training about the threat of uranium mining at the Grand Canyon. Community members joined the call from across the nation, sharing why protecting the national park is important to them.

HECHO presenters Camilla Simon and Elizabeth Archuleta discussed recent recommendations released by the Nuclear Fuels Working Group supporting opening up public lands near the Grand Canyon for uranium mining. They also informed advocates about a proposal to permanently protect the public lands around the Grand Canyon, introduced by Rep. Raul Grijalva and passed by the House in March 2020 called the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act.

Event Recap: HECHO's Cocktails & Conservation Celebrates 50 Years of Earth Day

With the Grand Canyon set as their Zoom virtual backgrounds, over 20 community members came together virtually to celebrate Earth Day’s 50th anniversary with HECHO, enjoying a cocktail demonstration (a fan favorite, La Paloma), a virtual visit to the Grand Canyon, and climate change trivia.

Community members from across the nation participated in the event that was presented in partnership with the Grand Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon Trust. Event presenters included HECHO Advisory Board and founding member, Elizabeth Archuleta, as well as Senior Advisor for the Stewardship and Tribal Programs at Grand Canyon National Park, Jan Balsom, Energy Program Director for the Grand Canyon Trust, Amber Reimondo, and Energy Program Associate for the Grand Canyon Trust, Megan Kelly.

Event Recap: Leadership Workshop Introduces Climate Change Solutions Through Public Lands Management Lens

More than 30 students and community leaders gathered at Springs Preserve despite rain showers for HECHO’s second Public Lands and Climate Leadership workshop to build knowledge about how public lands management impacts climate change, and create awareness around the local impacts of climate change in the community.

Guest UserMarch 27, 2020Event Recap, Advocacy Training, Leadership Workshop, Public Lands, Climate Change, Nevada, Querencia y HerenciaComment

Event Recap: Cocktails and Conservation Happy Hour at La Flor de Calabaza

HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors) proudly hosted the third installment of the Cocktails and Conservation education series at La Flor De Calabaza in Phoenix, Arizona on February 13 to present Happy Hour.

Guest UserFebruary 24, 2020Event Recap, Cocktails & Conservation, Arizona, Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Liz ArchuletaComment

Event Recap: Free Family Fishing at Red Mountain Lake

HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping Hunting and the Outdoors), in partnership with City of Mesa Councilmember David Luna, the Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation hosted the first Free Family Fishing Day of 2020 at Red Mountain Lake on February 1, 2020.

Guest UserFebruary 11, 2020Event Recap, Family Fishing Day, Fishing, Arizona, Liz Archuleta, David Luna, Traditional Land UsesComment

Event Recap: Phoenix Community Comes Together to Discuss Climate Change and Public Lands

Jan. 13, 2020 (Phoenix, Arizona) – Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Gardens was the site where HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting & the Outdoors) hosted 30 community leaders on Sunday, all invested in learning about the intersection of Climate Change and Public Lands. This is the second workshop in a series of Public Lands & Natural Resources workshops present by HECHO.

Guest UserJanuary 14, 2020Event Recap, Leadership Workshop, Advocacy Training, Climate Change, Public Lands, Arizona, Liz ArchuletaComment

Event Recap: Local "Agua Es Vida" Event Informs and Engages Community Members about Uranium Mining Impacts Around the Grand Canyon

Nov. 20, 2019 (Phoenix, Arizona) – Today more than 30 community leaders gathered at the Rio Salado Audubon Center for an event organized by HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors) to discuss uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, and its effects on Native American and Hispanic communities.

Grand CanyonGuest UserNovember 21, 2019Event Recap, Agua Es Vida, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, Cocktails & Conservation, Liz Archuleta, ArizonaComment

Event Recap: Vamos Afuera! Ideas for How to Encourage Your Kiddos to Enjoy the Outdoors

It’s not everyday we get to see a Latinx family enjoying an adventure outdoors. In partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, HECHO collaborated to host an advanced screening of Dora and the Lost City of Gold across New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah.

Guest BloggerAugust 20, 2019Event Recap, Vamos Afuera!, National Wildlife Federation, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Family ActivitiesComment

Event Recap: Free Family Fishing at Desert West Park in Maryvale, AZ

Liz Archuleta, HECHO spokesperson said, “It is personally rewarding to see the community out here discovering their sense of adventure or renewing their connection to the land. I hope that by experiencing all that nature has to offer, we can help people understand the importance and urgency to protect and conserve our public lands and waterways. We used this opportunity to educate community members on the importance of permanent reauthorization of the Land Water Conservation Fund that is used to build and maintain parks and trails with no cost to taxpayers.”

Camilla SimonNovember 19, 2018Event Recap, Family Fishing Day, Arizona, Liz Archuleta, Fishing Comment

Event Recap: HECHO Flagstaff Chapter Meeting with Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Hispanics Enjoying Camping Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO) was joined by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Monica Villalobos on November 14, 2018 at the Murdock Community Center in Flagstaff for a presentation of DATOS 2018. The report highlights “Elements of a Healthy Community.” Villalobos provided an overview of the state of Latinos in Arizona and key facts on climate change views.

hecho blog

Rural electric cooperatives can improve resilience to climate change and reduce carbon emissions.