Recognizing the importance of engagement with the Latino community to get into outdoor recreation and participate in activities to protect United States natural resources, and expressing support for the designation of the third week of September as “Latino Conservation Week”.

Recognizing the importance of engagement with the Latino community to get into outdoor recreation and participate in activities to protect United States natural resources, and expressing support for the designation of the third week of September as “Latino Conservation Week”.

Whereas “Latino Conservation Week” was created by the Hispanic Access Foundation to support Latino communities in experiencing the outdoors and engaging in activities that promote the protection of United States natural resources;

Whereas, throughout this week, Latino communities across the United States lead and participate in outdoor recreation and conservation activities, including hiking, camping, birdwatching, and stewardship events, on National Conservation Lands, national monuments, national parks, and other public lands, highlighting their vital role in protecting and enjoying these treasured places;

Whereas local and national events, such as film screenings, community roundtable discussions, hikes, neighborhood cleanups, tree plantings, and community gardens, demonstrate Latino communities’ leadership in advancing environmental justice, fostering community well-being, and preserving cultural and ecological heritage;

Whereas Latino communities are on the front line of environmental change, with 78 percent reporting personal experiences with environmental issues impacting their health, communities, or livelihoods, yet they continue to lead solutions and mobilize for clean air, safe water, and resilient communities;

Whereas access to nature and public lands provides measurable physical and mental health benefits, reduces long-term health care costs, and enhances local economies by strengthening outdoor recreation infrastructure;

Whereas communities of color, including Latino communities, are more likely to live in areas with limited access to parks, green spaces, and natural resources, particularly in urban heat islands, underscoring the urgent need for equitable urban planning, investment, and restoration;

Whereas Latino identity, heritage, and stewardship are deeply connected to public lands, reflecting centuries of cultural, agricultural, and ecological contributions that continue to shape the natural history and conservation future of the United States;

Whereas, with more than 63,700,000 Latinos representing 19 percent of the United States population, and with 4,400,000 Latino anglers participating in fishing at higher rates than the general population, Latinos are a growing force in the outdoor economy and conservation movement;

Whereas equitable access to nearby green spaces, safe and inclusive transportation options, and park features that recognize diverse languages, histories, and cultural uses should be available to all communities; and

Whereas the third week of September is a fitting time to celebrate the growing leadership, engagement, and environmental vision of Latino communities across the Nation to designate as “Latino Conservation Week”: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes the Latino community’s longstanding commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship;

(2) affirms that the future of public lands, environmental health, and climate resilience is strengthened by the inclusion, vision, and agency of Latino youth, families, and leaders; and

(3) supports the designation of “Latino Conservation Week”.