Statement: HECHO Celebrates Restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments

Today, President Biden restored Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, carrying out a campaign promise to protect more than 2 million acres of national public lands, and making good on his America the Beautiful initiative.

For time immemorial, Bears Ears National Monument has been stewarded by the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe, and Pueblo of Zuni, who have been advocating for the protection of this culturally and archeologically significant landscape. Together, they are the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, and they recently published a letter to the White House urging protection for the sacred site where religious ceremonies continue to take place. President Biden’s announcement comes on the eve of Indigenous People’s Day and evokes the importance of prioritizing Indigenous perspectives in the management of our public lands.

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

Blog: Budget Reconciliation Process Breakdown

Congress’ proposed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill is a bold investment in America. It follows the already historic $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan, known as the INVEST in America Act, and plans for wider-ranging investments. Chief among these are investments to address climate change that build upon the infrastructure developments planned under the INVEST in America Act. In particular, the investments under the budget reconciliation bill will provide the country with much-needed help for critical restoration and resilience projects aimed at reducing drought and forest fires, and would support meaningful progress on environmental justice while creating millions of jobs.

Guest BloggerAugust 31, 2021Blog, Climate Change, Public Lands, Environmental Justice (EJ), The HillComment

Statement: DOI’s Expansion of Outdoor Recreation Opportunities for Hunting and Fishing Opportunity to Foster Legacy of Stewardship

WASHINGTON – Today the Department of the Interior announced the largest expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities in recent history by allocating 2.1 million acres of public lands for hunting, sport fishing, and other outdoor recreation opportunities such as nature watching and environmental education.

The expansion aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative to restore and conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030.

Action Alert: Public Lands, Wildlife, and Tribes Left Behind?

Action AlertGuest UserAugust 5, 2021Public Lands, Wildlife, Bipartisan Infrastructure PackageComment

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

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 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

Statement: Bill to Clean Up Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Would Create Jobs and Reduce Pollution

May 27, 2021 -- Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández’s Orphaned Well Cleanup and Jobs Act of 2021 is a dynamic bill that would stimulate rural economies, create jobs, and cut down on pollution. The bill would help clean up state, private, public, and Tribal lands while also combatting the climate crisis. Passing out of the House Natural Resources Committee this week, it now heads to the House floor.

Press Releases/Statements, Oil & GasGuest UserMay 27, 2021Statement, Public Lands, Oil and Gas, Leasing ReformComment

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

Statement: Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Plan Opportunity to Unite Stakeholders in Protecting Public Lands and Waters

Today the Biden-Harris administration introduced the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Plan, outlining a 10-year goal to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife in a collaborative approach that includes locally led, nationwide efforts with various stakeholders such as Tribal communities, ranchers, anglers, and farmers.

Joint Press Release: Rep. Susie Lee Introduces Bicameral Bill to Promote Appropriate Land-Use Management and Protect Nevada's Public Lands from Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing

This piece originally appeared as a press statement on May 4, 2021 via susieLee.house.gov

By Zoe Shepherd | 05/04/2021

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Susie Lee (NV-03) introduced the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act. This bill, which was introduced in the Senate by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), would promote more appropriate land-use management by prohibiting oil and gas leasing on public lands that are determined by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have little to no potential for energy development. The bill would also reprioritize the BLM’s administration of these lands for more appropriate purposes, such as wildlife habitat preservation, outdoor recreation, mining, grazing, and renewable energy development.

Statement: Increased Sabinoso Wilderness Designation Would Make History

Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO) is proud to support the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s proposal to expand the Sabinoso Wilderness in New Mexico. If accepted, the addition of the 9,855-acre parcel would be the largest donation ever added to a designated wilderness in U.S. history.

The designation has the support of various stakeholders including local residents, recreation groups, and sportspeople, who agree that the expansion would support economic opportunity including tourism and travel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and in neighboring communities.

Press Releases/Statements, URGGuest UserMay 1, 2021Statement, Public Lands, New Mexico, Sabinoso Wilderness AreaComment

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.

Statement: Accountability for George Floyd

Today we have seen accountability prevail in the case of George Floyd, and we applaud the jury’s verdict that ex-officer Derek Chauvin is guilty of murder and manslaughter on all counts. For too long, our justice system has failed the Black community, and though the verdict will not bring George Floyd back, we hope that it offers the Floyd family an opportunity to heal.

Press Releases/StatementsGuest UserApril 20, 2021StatementComment

Statement: Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act Elevates Restoration and Conservation

April 20, 2021 -- This week, Senator Michael Bennet (D. Colo.) introduced the Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act that prioritizes forest restoration, watershed conservation, and would support jobs in the outdoors.

The Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act would create a $60 billion outdoor restoration fund, from which two major programs would emerge, the Restoration and Resilience grant program, and the Restoration and Resilience Partnership.

Press Releases/StatementsGuest UserApril 20, 2021Press Release, Outdoor Restoration Partnership ActComment

Statement: Cerro de la Olla Designation, an Opportunity to Cultivate Legacy of Stewardship

Last week, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández introduced the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act to the House of Representatives that would designate 13,103 acres within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in northern New Mexico as Cerro De La Olla Wilderness.

Statement: Secretarial Orders prioritize public input, and establishes Climate Task Force

April 16, 2021 — The Department of the Interior has been deeply entrenched in a review process to weed out orders that are not in line with the Biden Administration’s priorities, and this week passed Secretarial Order 3399, and Secretarial Order 3398, committing to building an equitable and just energy future, and prioritizing public input from impacted communities that have historically been underrepresented in the environmental review process.

Press Releases/StatementsGuest UserApril 16, 2021Statement, Deb Haaland, Department of Interior (DOI)Comment

Statement: 28 Western State and Local Elected Officials Support Biden Administration’s Oil and Gas Leasing Pause, Urge Reform

This week, 28 state and local elected officials -- representing thousands of constituents across the southwestern United States -- sent a letter to the Interior Department and Secretary Deb Haaland in support of their pause and review of the federal oil and gas leasing program. The letter, organized by Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hiking, and the Outdoors (HECHO), comes as the first opportunity for public feedback to the administration closes and the Department prepares its report on the future of the leasing program. Western voters, particularly Latinos, overwhelmingly want oil and gas development on federal public lands to be stopped or strictly limited, not expanded.

Joint Press Release: Comments Signed by 115k+ People Submitted to Interior Department Urging Reforms to Federal Oil and Gas Leasing to Protect Public Lands, Oceans, Taxpayers, and Wildlife

This piece originally appeared as a press statement on April 15, 2021.

By Nolan Bush | 04/15/2021

Western, ocean, and conservation groups emphasize important opportunity to modernize the federal government’s antiquated leasing program Today, 28 leading conservation, ocean, and western advocacy organizations announced that they have shared more than 115,000 combined signatures with the Department of the Interior in support of their pause and review of the federal oil and gas leasing program. These signatures were collected in just a few weeks, during this first opportunity to provide feedback to the administration on how they can fix the broken federal leasing system so it works for everyone.

Press Releases/Statements, Oil & GasadminApril 15, 2021Joint Press Release, Oil and Gas, Public LandsComment

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