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Posts in Guest Blog

Guest Blog: From the Redwood Forest to the Halls of Congress

Guest Blog: From the Redwood Forest to the Halls of Congress

I have always carried a deep connection to the outdoors. I was born in a rural town in Michoacán, Mexico which is where my indigenous identity is rooted; and I grew up in Fort Bragg, California, a small town nestled between the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and the great Redwood Forest. It wasn’t uncommon for friends and I to walk to the quiet beaches after school or on a weekend morning. In middle school, I joined a climbing and hiking club which would often explore the adjacent streams and rolling hills of Jackson State Forest. In high school, I ran cross country. Through that sport I was lucky enough to spend afternoons running on coastal trails, and at times traveling inland to run through vineyards, and around serene lakes. I very much enjoyed my time connecting to nature in the area of California that I grew up in. Even today, I find that when life gets a little too hectic, nothing grounds me quite like nature.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerOctober 30, 2021Blog, Public Lands, Environmental Justice (EJ), HECHO StaffComment

Guest Blog: Developing a Passion for Protecting Landscapes

Guest Blog: Developing a Passion for Protecting Landscapes

I grew up in the very busy metropolitan city of Bogota, Colombia, and the majority of my time was spent going to the mall or school. Once in a while, my family and I would take trips to the countryside to see beautiful scenery and enjoy the wonderful biodiversity, but as a kid, I was more interested in my Nintendo than engaging with the nature around me.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerAugust 31, 2021Blog, Public Lands, HECHO StaffComment

Guest Blog: The Legacy of my Family's Love for the Outdoors Lives On

I grew up in Trinidad, Colorado – an old western town settled as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail. As a result, it has been a mining community and a cattle town. I’ve always appreciated its history, the grit it must have taken to survive and thrive. Because of the way Trinidad was settled, and the industries that began here, it was a microcosm of different cultures.

In the late sixties, my father arrived from northern New Mexico after receiving a full-ride scholarship to the University of Denver School of Law. He was the first in his family to pursue and graduate with a law degree. Soon after graduating, my parents moved to Trinidad. My father was deeply respected and was even elected to two terms as District Attorney. He also served as County Attorney for Las Animas County before he and my mother opened several businesses in Trinidad. They embraced life here and were beloved by their community. Their appreciation of Trinidad was something they made sure to pass on to my siblings and me.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerJuly 26, 2021Blog, Colorado, Public Lands, Environmental Justice (EJ), Outdoor Recreation, Carlos Lopez, AccessComment

Guest Blog: Building Community and Sharing our Outdoor Connections During Latino Conservation Week

Guest Blog: Building Community and Sharing our Outdoor Connections During Latino Conservation Week

This piece originally appeared as a blog post on July 21, 2021 via The National Wildlife Federation during Latino Conservation Week.

By Bianca McGrath-Martinez | 07/21/2021

Saturday, July 17th marked the start of the 8th annual celebration of Latino Conservation Week, which is an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation created to support Latinx communities getting into the outdoors and participating in activities that protect our natural resources.

Guest BlogGuest UserJuly 21, 2021Blog, Hunting, Fishing, Outdoor Recreation, Colorado, Latino Outdoors, Latino Conservation Week, Vamos Afuera!, HECHO Staff, Bianca McGrath-Martinez Comment

Guest Blog: Looking to the Past to Guide our Present and Future

Guest Blog: Looking to the Past to Guide our Present and Future

I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, which is right on the Texas Gulf Coast. I came from a family that did not have a lot of money, so we did a lot of outdoor things like car camping, fishing, and hiking. The hunting we did was for our own livelihood. My father made it a priority to instill an appreciation for all the things the land offers us, clean air, clean water, and wildlife. These values have informed the conservation practices that have carried on into my life, that I have passed to my own children, and that I look forward to sharing with my grandchildren.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerJune 28, 2021Blog, Public Lands, Utah, Maria Stillman Farrington, HECHO Advisory BoardComment

Guest Blog: Guardians of the Forest

Guest Blog: Guardians of the Forest

Land based traditions have been a part of my life since before my inception. On my mother’s side we have deep roots in agriculture in Northern Mexico. On my father’s side we have generations of farmers and ranchers in central Mexico as well as a few generations of loggers in Arizona. In my family story, the land is what brought us together. As the owner of Suarez Forestry LLC, it keeps us working together.

Guest Blog, HCLCGuest BloggerApril 30, 2021Arizona, Forest Restoration, Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), Logging, Devon SuarezComment

Guest Blog: Aaron Abeyta on Latino Advocacy Week

Guest Blog: Aaron Abeyta on Latino Advocacy Week

Guest BlogGuest UserApril 9, 2021Colorado, Latino Advocacy WeekComment

Guest Blog: Putting Conservation Values into Practice as Coconino County Treasurer

Guest Blog: Putting Conservation Values into Practice as Coconino County Treasurer

In Guatemala, conservation is just a part of the culture. You are one with the land, and you only use what you need. My family carried these values and we took them with us to every state we lived in, from New York to Florida, and Arizona.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerMarch 31, 2021Arizona, Sarah Benatar, National Park Service (NPS)Comment

Guest Blog: Legacy of The Pueblo in Coconino County’s Parks and Recreation Department

Guest Blog: Legacy of The Pueblo in Coconino County’s Parks and Recreation Department

As a military family, we moved frequently before my father was once again stationed in Spain, where I was born and raised. Though we lived in cities during our time there, Madrid and Zaragoza, my childhood is peppered with memories from visiting the pueblo, Prado del Campo, where my mother’s family is from. Spending summer and easter breaks there, my deep connection to the outdoors began to grow.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerFebruary 19, 2021ArizonaComment

Guest Blog: Building Community and Latinx Political Power with Arizona State Representative Raquel Terán

Guest Blog: Building Community and Latinx Political Power with Arizona State Representative Raquel Terán

Growing up in Douglas, Arizona is like having a foot in two worlds. Because it straddles the United States and Mexican border, my upbringing was unique in that I grew up on what I considered an international avenue – my favorite tienditas on one side, my family on the other, and then the desert, the saguaros, watching us all.

Living in a border town means understanding economic privilege from an early age. I recognized the divide that existed, and the role that politics played in our lives. I was painfully aware of the privileges that being a U.S. Citizen awarded me, and I questioned why my neighbors weren't able to experience what my family could.

Guest Blog, HCLCGuest BloggerNovember 24, 2020Arizona, Raquel Terán, Public Lands, Environmental Justice (EJ), Traditional Land UsesComment

Guest Blog: Building Family Connection Through Time Spent Outdoors

Guest Blog: Building Family Connection Through Time Spent Outdoors

I live on four-acres of land next to the Coronado National Forest. I love living in the boondocks. When I’m home I sit outside and have a 360-degree view of nature. I listen to the birds and it clears my mind. It gives me solace to be out here by myself. It’s relaxing, but most of all, it’s inspirational.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerOctober 27, 2020Arizona, Traditional Land Uses, Hunting, Fishing, Sportspersons, Public LandsComment

Guest Blog: Implementing Ancestral Values in the State Land Office of Stephanie Garcia Richard, New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands

Guest Blog: Implementing Ancestral Values in the State Land Office of Stephanie Garcia Richard, New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands

My siblings and I spent our summers on the East side of New Mexico on my grandfather’s ranch. Our family called it La Garita. Those trips and my upbringing in southwest New Mexico gave me my first introduction to horses, and the beginning of a deep appreciation for the Gila National Forest that was almost in our backyard.

My mother was the eldest of 15 siblings, and she would often share with us what it was like growing up on the ranch, doing chores and pausing to take a break while my grandfather would break a watermelon on his knee for them all to share together. My family has always had a strong tie to the land, because as ranchers, nature is your livelihood…..

Guest Blog, HCLCGuest BloggerSeptember 14, 2020New Mexico, Stephanie Garcia Richard, Ranching, Traditional Land Uses, Outdoor RecreationComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Victor Silva

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Victor Silva

HECHO spoke with Victor Silva of Tempe, Arizona to learn about his personal connection to the Grand Canyon, his favorite memories there, and why he believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Victor Silva (VS): My personal connection to the Grand Canyon is... it's served as sort of a window to the idea of national parks in general, and what they entail, what they represent, what their potential is -- in terms of enrichment….

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonadminSeptember 3, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Sarah Benatar

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Sarah Benatar

HECHO spoke with Coconino County Treasurer, Sarah Benatar, about her personal connection to the Grand Canyon, her favorite memories there, and why she believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Sarah Benatar (SB): My personal connection to Grand Canyon is, it's in my backyard, so to speak. Living in Coconino County, we have the Grand Canyon here, and it’s one of the most amazing things.

I personally think the best parts in the Canyon are the North rim and the South rim. The Grand Canyon is something I find a lot of pride and joy in, especially in that it’s a part of our County. We really get to enjoy it whenever we want….

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonadminAugust 26, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Sarah Benatar, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Representative Raquel Terán

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Representative Raquel Terán

HECHO spoke with Representative Raquel Terán of Arizona to learn about her personal connection to the Grand Canyon, her favorite memories there, and why she believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Representative Raquel Terán (RT): I had never been to the Grand Canyon growing up. I finally went to visit in my early thirties. It was so easy to just get in the car and go visit the Canyon. It was amazing, and the colors were striking. It was so peaceful, and I remember thinking to myself, how is it possible that we had never driven here before? This wonder is in our backyard and it was just so gorgeous. The Grand Canyon holds the colours of Arizona….

Guest Blog, Grand Canyon, HCLCadminAugust 24, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Arizona, Raquel Terán, Grand Canyon, Uranium MiningComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Dennis Chavez

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Dennis Chavez

HECHO spoke with Dennis Chavez of Flagstaff, Arizona to learn about his personal connection to the Grand Canyon, his favorite memories there, and why he believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Dennis Chavez (DC): My personal connection to the Grand Canyon is I was born and raised here in Flagstaff. I was born 65 years ago and I've lived here ever since, never left. My connection to the Grand Canyon started back in the1960s. My uncle worked on the Glen Canyon Dam. That was our first exposure to the Grand Canyon was when the dam was just being built. So, we saw a glimpse of the Grand Canyon before it was dammed up. It started there.

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonGuest UserAugust 22, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Theresa Huereña

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Theresa Huereña

HECHO spoke with Theresa Huereña of Phoenix, Arizona to learn about her personal connection to the Grand Canyon, her favorite memories there, and why she believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Theresa Huereña (TH): My personal connection to the Grand Canyon is that it is in my backyard. I've experienced it through visiting with school groups or work, and it's just a beautiful place to visit…

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonGuest UserAugust 19, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Isabel Chavez

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Isabel Chavez

HECHO spoke with Isabel Chavez of Phoenix, Arizona to learn about her personal connection to the Grand Canyon, her favorite memories there, and why she believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Isabel Chavez (IC): As an Arizona native, my connection to the Grand Canyon is exactly that. It's one of the wonders of the world and it's here in my home state. I think a common thread that I used to share with a lot of native Arizonans is that they had never been there. It wasn't a preferred destination, maybe because of the social economics of my neighborhood, that wasn't an option. When I finally went to the Grand Canyon, I was already older…..

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonadminAugust 17, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Morgan Moore

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Morgan Moore

HECHO spoke with Morgan Moore of Phoenix, Arizona to learn about her personal connection to the Grand Canyon, her favorite memories there, and why she believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Morgan Moore (MM): My personal connection to the Grand Canyon is rooted both in its place, as well as the people that connect me to it. I grew up in Arizona. I was born and raised here, so I have been to the Grand Canyon plenty of times, mostly with family. I have gone there since I was a toddler. My parents took me, even though my dad was afraid of falling from it…….

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonadminAugust 15, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Juliana Huereña

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Juliana Huereña

HECHO spoke with Juliana Huereña of Phoenix, Arizona to learn about her personal connection to the Grand Canyon, her favorite memories there, and why she believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: What is your personal connection to the Grand Canyon?

Juliana Huereña (JH): So, what is my connection to the Grand Canyon? It is that it was in my backyard and so I was able to take advantage of the wilderness and the opportunities that the Grand Canyon has offered. The beauty of it, the Majestics of it, all of it….

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonadminAugust 12, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment