Karina Meza
JD SUPRA: Federal Oil and Gas Leases: Where Are We Now and What's Next?
In the short 100 days since inauguration day, the Biden Administration has put oil and gas leasing on public lands and federal waters at the forefront of its climate agenda—from issuance of Executive Order No. 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” (EO 14008) to the appointment of Debra Haaland as the Secretary of the Department of Interior (DOI). This article covers the current status of federal oil and gas leasing, actions undertaken by the DOI, and what may lie ahead.
DAILY HERALD: McHenry County Conservation District celebrates Latino participation at restoration workdays
McHenry County Conservation District is inviting the Latino community to participate in "Latinx Restoration Workdays" this summer. Get outdoors and be a part of conservation work and environmental efforts.
YES MAGAZINE: A Denver Neighborhood Creates Green Space to Improve Community Health
With the arrival of spring, Platte Farm Open Space, in the diverse, working-class neighborhood of Globeville in north Denver, comes alive with native grasses, pollinator gardens that attract bees and butterflies, and wildflowers, such as Mexican hat, asters, poppies, and gaillardia.
SEARCHBEAT: Defenders: A Day in the Life – Latino Advocacy Week
This year Defenders of Wildlife partnered with Hispanic Access Foundation and numerous organizations across the country to celebrate the inaugural Latino Advocacy Week. Defenders hosted a writing workshop led by acclaimed poet Jovan Mays about “Finding Your Why.” If you want to get more involved with advocating for wildlife issues that matter to you join our Biodiversity Ambassador program – text “ACTIVIST” to 52886 to sign-up!
DNYUZ: This interactive map shows all the conservation land near you
If you’ve ever set foot on the Appalachian Trail, visited a national park like Joshua Tree, or even taken advantage of a neighborhood park in your home town, you’ve probably reaped the benefits of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Established in 1964 by Congress to conserve land and provide outdoor recreational spaces, the program has funded hundreds of thousands of projects. Now, there’s an interactive map that lets you explore where they all are.
PLANETIZEN: In Denver, a Former Brownfield Becomes a Park
HAF Celebrates 115th Anniversary of the Antiquities Act
Historic Law Plays Critical Role in Protecting Cultural Heritage
WASHINGTON, DC – Today marks the 115th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, an instrumental law that has protected and included the history and contributions of Latino and other diverse communities in our public lands and historical sites. In response to this historic day, Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation, released the following statement.
“While the number of national monuments focusing on the history, culture and lives of diverse communities still falls short of truly representing our nation’s cultural heritage, Presidents yielding their authority to create national monuments under the Antiquities Act have done more than Congress to protect diverse sites. This is especially true over the past 25 years, which has led to the establishment and protection of national monuments like Cesar Chavez, Bears Ears, Camp Nelson Heritage, and Rio Grande Del Norte.
“In fact, many of our country’s best-loved places would not be preserved if not for the immediate action afforded presidents through the Antiquities Act. Seventeen presidents – nine Republicans and eight Democrats – have used this authority to create more than 130 national monuments – including the inspiring Grand Canyon, the iconic Statue of Liberty and many other of our nation's most spectacular and historically important public lands.
“While there is still a long way to go, the Antiquities Act is an important tool in the process of establishing equity in our nation’s public lands and increasing opportunities for physical activity and access to open spaces for Latino and other low-income communities.”
“As we reflect on this anniversary, it’s important we recommit to preserving the Antiquities Act and honoring its importance in protecting, recognizing and celebrating the diverse cultures and contributions from all Americans.
In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law granting the executive office the authority to establish national monuments.To this day, it remains as one of the most powerful federal tools to preserve open space, natural treasures and cultural and historical sites in the U.S.
Two years ago, The ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 was introduced in both the House and Senate in response to President Trump’s attempt to eliminate two million acres of protections for Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments — the largest rollback of federally protected lands in American history. After being elected into office, President Biden took swift action to begin reversing the environmental damage caused by the Trump Administration's policies by reviewing the boundaries and conditions of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monuments.
HAF President and CEO Joined Interior Sec. Haaland & CEQ Chair Mallory to Discuss Collaborative 30x30 Conservation, Restoration Plan
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland joined by Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, and President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation Collin O’Mara discussed how the Biden Administration’s recently released “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful" report to conserve and restore 30% of U.S. lands, waters and ocean by 2030 can pioneer collaborative conservation and restoration strategies on public and private lands while addressing the climate crisis, creating jobs, and boosting public health and equity.
DOI Spotlights Need to Protect 30% of Lands, Waters, Ocean by 2030
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior released its “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful" report on implementing the goal of conserving 30% of U.S. lands, waters and ocean by the year 2030. In response to the report, Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce released the following statement:
HAF Welcomes New MANO Project Program Associate
Washington, D.C. – Hispanic Access Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of Nina Marti, who will serve as a MANO Project program associate. In her role, she will support the MANO Project’s mission of connecting, building and developing thoughtful Latino leaders who share a passion for serving and strengthening their communities.