HECHO spoke with Patrice Horstman on her connection to the Grand Canyon, and why she believes it deserves protection and advocacy.

Patrice Horstman (PH): I moved to Flagstaff in 1972 to go to school in Northern Arizona University, and like many, I fell in love with the San Francisco peaks and the Ponderosa Pine Forest. Having the Canyon as a neighbor has allowed me an up close and personal relationship with it. I've been able to spend over four decades exploring and hiking its trails, river running on the Colorado river through its red walls, and spending literally countless hours on the rim. The Grand Canyon is also an economic engine for us here in Northern Arizona. It has over 6 million visitors that visits the Canyon annually, which brings hundreds of millions of tourists dollars here to Arizona and has produced tens of thousands of jobs.

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonadminJuly 6, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, ArizonaComment

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.

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Elizabeth Archuleta

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Coconino County Supervisor, Elizabeth Archuleta

HECHO founding member and Coconino County Supervisor, Elizabeth Archuleta sat down with us to talk about why advocating for the Grand Canyon is important for her.

Guest Blog, Grand CanyonadminJune 29, 2020#MyGrandCanyonStory, Grand Canyon, Uranium Mining, Arizona, Liz ArchuletaComment

Press Release: HECHO Celebrates Senate Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act

June 17, 2020 -- Today, HECHO is celebrating alongside countless others the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) by the U.S. Senate. An act of bipartisanship (73-25) marks a major milestone for full and consistent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which protects and increases access to public lands and national parks, and addresses the significant maintenance backlog in our national parks.

Blog: Hope, Leadership, and Humanity During the Covid-19 Pandemic

For some, COVID-19 has changed our daily lives and how we interact with each other. For others, COVID-19 has made the impacts of existing societal, economic, and health disparities even worse. The truth is that we must navigate the unique challenges brought about during these uncertain and unprecedented times, and come out of this pandemic with a greater sense of how we are all connected.

As we hear stories about how community leaders are responding to the pandemic in thoughtful ways, we are hopeful that we will emerge from this in a better place. But that takes leadership and an understanding of our humanity. As an example, in Santa Fe County, NM, Commissioner Henry Roybal recognized the economic impact that solid waste disposal fees were having on some residents after seeing trash being dumped on the land. In response, he led a county effort to suspend solid waste disposal fees during the pandemic to reduce barriers for appropriate trash disposal.

adminJune 17, 2020Advisory Board, Henry Roybal, Evi Steyer, Mark Cardenas, Donald Valdez, Liz Archuleta, Lynn Cordova, Rebecca Chavez-HouckComment

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Nikki Julien

HECHO spoke with Nikki Julien, Outreach Director for the Arizona Wildlife Federation to learn about her favorite memory at the Grand Canyon, and why she believes uranium mining poses a dangerous threat to the National Park.

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

Nikki Julien (NJ): My personal connection to the Grand Canyon started the first time I visited, I was probably about five, six years old. My family had moved to Arizona and my parents, of course, put my brother in boy scouts. They had a boy scout trip to go down to Havasupai Village and we all hiked all the way down and back up again. While I was there, I actually learned to swim in that beautiful blue, green water. I learned how to swim in Mooney Falls. I was just a kid at the time, so I didn’t think much about it until after I realized how major it actually was. In the education field and nature writing field, and nature advocacy field, one of the first questions that is asked at almost any conference, is about your connection to the land. When that is asked, I get to say that I learned to swim at Mooney Falls at Havasupai Village which is an amazing, amazing experience. Not many six year olds can make that trip down and back out again. In 2014, I was able to helicopter down into the village and that was remarkable.

Statement: In Solidarity Against Racism

We grieve the loss of George Floyd. His treatment by the police was inhumane, and the egregious abuse he suffered in police custody killed him. His death is a stark wakeup call that there is much work to do in the ongoing fight against racism and the battle for justice. We are part of a collective struggle, and stand in solidarity with the movements taking place across the nation bringing attention to the injustice our Black community members experience.

Press Releases/StatementsCamilla SimonJune 8, 2020Statement, JEDIComment

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.

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Viviana Reyes

HECHO spoke with Viviana Reyes of Flagstaff, 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 the Grand Canyon

Viviana Reyes (VR): As far as my personal connection to the Grand Canyon, I was born and raised in Arizona. I grew up in Phoenix, and, as a child, the Grand Canyon was one of the only places that we were really able to visit. For one, it’s in our home state and it was really close. And, also, it’s kind of an affordable place to visit in the sense that we would just kind of get together as a family and drive. One of the first times I got to visit was with an uncle and it was super breathtaking and beautiful. I remember thinking that it wasn’t real, that it just looked like a picture, like a postcard almost.

#MyGrandCanyonStory | Lynn Córdova

HECHO sat down with Lynn Cordova of Arizona to learn about her connection to the Grand Canyon, and why she believes the Grand Canyon should be protected from uranium mining.

HECHO: Why do you think it’s important to advocate for national parks against the threat of uranium mining?

Lynn Cordova (LC): I think national parks are important, and we, as a society, need to have places to visit and unwind. As you probably know and read my story about growing up, and growing up low income, I didn't have a ton of exposure to public lands. I lived in Colorado, and it's a beautiful state. There are tons of mountains and hiking trails, but I rarely got to experience that because, often times, it was a matter of my mother not having enough money to even get us to the mountains. If we did, it was the closest foothills we could get to and that was our version of a picnic or camping.

Now that I'm older, and since I have yet to visit the Grand Canyon, it’s on my bucket list— especially since I now live in Arizona. I want to ensure that it's going to be available for me to visit. But if uranium mining occurs, I’m worried about the potential of water contamination in the area, and who knows what other repercussions could happen from that. It’s important to ensure that it doesn't happen so that everyone can visit the Grand Canyon.

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.

Joint Press Release: Conservation, civic organizations file amicus brief of stream access rule to state Supreme Court

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (New Mexico Wild, alternatively), the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Hispano Roundtable of New Mexico, Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors, and the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project have filed an amicus brief with the New Mexico Supreme Court in support of a petition asking the Court to invalidate a rule passed in the final days of the Susana Martinez administration that limits public access to New Mexico’s rivers, streams and lakes and risks privatizing many of the waterways enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts and traditional users.

Press Releases/StatementsadminApril 29, 2020New Mexico, Access, Water, Joint Press ReleaseComment

Guest Blog: Leading With A Love For the Land, Family Traditions, and Culture With Santa Fe County Commissioner Henry Roybal

My family has a long history in the Pojoaque Valley of New Mexico. Both my mother and father’s side of the family has been a part of this county for generations, dating back to the early pre-Hispanic settlers in the area. Growing up in New Mexico, I was immersed in the traditional farming community and grew up with the ranchero lifestyle.

Press Release: New Recommendations Risk Public Health and Safety, Invites Uranium Mining at the Grand Canyon

FLAGSTAFF (April 23, 2020)—Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO) opposed new recommendations released today from the Nuclear Fuels Working Group citing the audacity of its claims that the U.S. Government ought to “revive and strengthen the uranium mining industry” by streamlining “land access for uranium extraction”—a move that could open up uranium mining outside the Grand Canyon.

Statement: HECHO Statement on Halting Enforcement of Pollution Regulations Amid Public Health Crisis Despite Link Between Air Pollution and Covid-19 Deaths

Recent reports demonstrate the link between air pollution and deaths from COVID-19. This distressing connection underscores existing failures of the Trump Administration to prioritize public health-- from restricting access to health care to allowing corporations to pollute the air, land, and water-- making the Trump administration’s shamefully inadequate response to this public health crisis even worse. In response HECHO issued the following statement.

Press Releases/StatementsadminApril 22, 2020Statement, Utah, Pollution, Mark Archuleta Wheatley, Advisory BoardComment

Blog: Nature-themed Resources and Family Activities

Around the world, as a nation, and in our communities, we’ve experienced major changes as a result of the coronavirus. With a lot of areas under mandatory stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements, we miss being able to get together with our HECHO community in person. However, we believe that we can get through this together (but apart) and aspire to stay connected to our community now more than ever.

During these uncertain times, we at HECHO would like to bring you digital programming, like virtual meet-ups or trainings. We would also like use this time as an opportunity to get to know you better. Please let us know what you would like, and what you need, from us.

Guest UserApril 9, 2020Family ActivitiesComment

Guest Blog: Bridging Culture, Community, and Nature: Latina Leadership Benefits Maricopa County's Parks

I’m proud to be an 8th generation Arizonan. My family has traced our long history in Arizona back to the 1740s. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents were farmworkers, tending the fields. My father was a farmworker as well.

My family settled in Pima County after an uncle bought a plot of land and invited his brothers to join.

Arizona is what I know best. I was brought up in South Phoenix, and moved after gentrification pushed us out. Afterwards, my family moved to Golden Gate Barrio. I find comfort in familiarity and today, my children go to the same elementary school I did.

Guest BlogGuest BloggerMarch 31, 2020Arizona, Picknicking, Traditional Land Uses, Outdoor Recreation, FishingComment

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

Statement: HECHO Commends Bipartisan Senate Effort to Ensure Full Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund

Yesterday, March 10, 2020, 56 U.S. Senators introduced legislation that would support full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The proposed bill, named The Great American Outdoors Act, would fully fund LWCF in addition to supporting national parks and public lands by addressing maintenance backlogs.

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

hecho blog