As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it's essential to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the globe, to acknowledge our Latino community, where we encompass a spectrum of identities, including race, ethnicity, nationality, and socio-economic status. Embracing this diversity is crucial in ensuring that all Latinas are included, represented, and celebrated in our communities.

Latinos comprised almost 19% of the United States' workforce in 2023, in line with their proportion of the overall population, according to the latest figures from the Census Bureau. However, the demographic is still vastly underrepresented in practically all management positions.

EMERGING EVIDENCE shows that exposure to air pollution increases the incidence and progression of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurocognitive diseases, according to Francesca Dominici.

As Chesapeake Bay sea levels rise, some areas, and the Latino community, could be disproportionately affected

Growing up in the Los Angeles area, the coastal allure was an integral part of my childhood. Then adulthood led me to Maryland, and my new coastal haven is along the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, the region faces an imminent threat: devastation from flooding and climate change that can destroy native habitats and wildlife and displace families.

Collaborative Wildfire Risk Reduction Program (CWRRP)

The goal is to expand work on National Forest System land in the Wildland Urban Interface, outside the 21 designated Wildfire Crisis Strategy landscapes, with a focus on work with non-traditional partners that represent underserved and minority-based communities to help with project implementation. Eligible states include 13 states in the South, Midwest and East. The money will be allocated through an internal competitive process, so it's up to local Forest Service units to put forward projects.
24 Qualifying States: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

IRA Forest Landowner Support - Deadlines vary by submission track

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Forest Landowner Support Provides financial assistance grants for projects that support underserved and small-acreage forest landowner participation in emerging private markets for climate mitigation and forest resilience. Not for individual landowners to apply directly, but landowners will be receiving benefits from applicants when they are implementing their projects. Track B: Proposal budgets that are less than $2 million continue to be accepted by the Forest Service. Proposals will be reviewed in batches on a quarterly basis until a final deadline of August 21, 2024.

• Batch 3: All proposals received March 1, 2024-May 31, 2024
• Batch 4: All proposals received June 1, 2024-August 21, 2024
• Track C: The Forest Service is also accepting proposals for a competitive sub-award program for this funding. Budgets must be greater than or equal to $5 million, less than $50 million, and include at least 80% sub-awards. Deadline: August 21, 2024.

Office Hours: IRA Forest Landowner Support

If you have questions about your application and want to talk to program staff, you are invited to participate in their open office hours, first Fridays from 1-2 mountain / 3-4 eastern. To participate, simply visit the IRA Forest Landowner Support Applicant Office Hours Microsoft Teams room.

In conservation, the journey from threat to triumph is often marked by the tireless efforts of advocates dedicated to protecting our natural heritage. Castner Range and Avi Kwa Ame National Monuments stand as a testament to the transformative power of grassroots community advocacy in safeguarding precious landscapes for future generations.

Hispanic Access is pleased to announce the addition of Nicole Colon Carrion and Veronica Torres as MANO Project Associates to work closely with the MANO Project team in facilitating and supporting the implementation of internship programs with multiple partners nationwide.

Hispanic Access is delighted to announce the transition of Michelle Neuenschwander from Director of the MANO Project program to Deputy Chief of Programs to oversee strategic planning and execution, program implementation, and all programmatic deliverables, as well as managing the culture of teamwork.

Hispanic Access is thrilled to announce the transition of Nina Marti from MANO Project Manager to MANO Project Director, where she will continue connecting young professionals of color to opportunities in fields where they are underrepresented. As MANO Project Director, Marti shapes the program’s vision, leads the program team, identifies new opportunities for program expansion, and steers the program toward becoming a model of excellence in workforce development and increasing diversity in the workforce.

Hispanic Access is delighted to announce the transition of Brenda Gallegos from Conservation Program Associate to Public Lands Manager to develop and refine the organization's public lands conservation strategy and long-term goals as the conservation program scales up in geographical focus, partnerships, network growth, and in the elevation of Latino advocates and leaders for conservation.