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Hispanic Access lleva cabo primer charla de ciencia para latinos desatendidos en Connecticut

El domingo 17 de marzo, Hispanic Access Foundation llevó a cabo la primera charla educativa bilingüe de ciencia que es parte de una serie de charlas y proyecto de tutoría "Senderos a la Ciencia", que se ofrecerá durante cinco años, para exponer a estudiantes latinos de secundaria desatendidos a diversas oportunidades profesionales, proporcionar recursos y desarrollar la próxima generación de profesionistas latinos en salud y en ciencia en New London, Connecticut.

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Hispanic Access Hosts First STEM Talk for Underserved Latinos in Connecticut

On Sunday, March 17, Hispanic Access Foundation hosted the first STEM Spanish bilingual educational talk that is part of the five-year-long “Senderos a la Ciencia” (Pathway to Science) talk series and mentorship project to expose underserved Latino high school students to diverse career opportunities, provide resources, and build the next generation of Latino professionals in health and STEM in New London, Connecticut.

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SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Latino voices are non-negotiable in the fight for environmental preservation

In the vast tapestry of America’s cultural landscape, the voice of Latino communities emerges as a critical one for conservation. The recent findings from the 14th annual Conservation in the West Poll conducted by Colorado College State of the Rockies Project echo a resounding sentiment: Latinos are not only deeply concerned about the future of our environment, they hold the key to effective conservation strategy implementation.

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NEWSWEEK: Thirst for Change: The Imperative to Preserve the Colorado River

The Colorado River originating high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and stretching an impressive 1,450 miles, crossing 30 tribal nations and most of the United States, is a lifeline winding through the arid landscapes of the American Southwest. It meets the water needs of 40 million people, irrigates 5.5 million acres of agricultural land, generates electricity through its various dams, and supports a $1.4 trillion economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs across the West. Its ecological significance is equally extraordinary, as it nurtures vast landscapes, including the 277 miles within the Grand Canyonsupports 65 percent of wild species in the West, and safeguards numerous culturally significant sites. Imperiled by climate change and overuse by the very states that rely on its waters, it now faces a daunting future. This is an issue that is not just of environmental local concern but also of national interest.

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Latest Blog

Goodbye Invasives

As my final month draws to a close, I'm thrilled with the positive impact I've made in the community. So much so that I've requested a six-month extension. Wearing the big blue goose with pride, I'm committed to continuing my contributions until the projected end date. This extension reflects my dedication to fostering positive change and connecting with the community. I'm excited about the opportunity to continue making a meaningful impact, and I look forward to the upcoming months of continued service, growth, and collaboration with those around me.


Throughout my time here, I've truly enjoyed being a part of this vibrant and diverse community. From attending local events to working with various organizations, I've connected with people from all walks of life. What's been most rewarding, however, is seeing the positive impact that my contributions have had on the community.

This past month, we've been focused on archaeology week. We were able to reach different parts of the community and talk about how vital archaeology is for culture and heritage. Seeing so many people interested in learning about our community's history and archaeology's role in preserving was great.

Overall, Archaeology Month was a huge success, and I'm proud to have been a part of it. I'm excited to see what the next few months have in store.

We also have been hard at work collaborating with our local university, FGCU. Recently, we pulled invasive plants from one of our preserves, dedicated to one of our donors and volunteers, Jim Sprankle. Jim has done an enormous amount for our refuge. He has volunteered since 1997 and has made multiple donations to the refuge, from his hand-carved duck decoys to his flock of bird sculptures that bring life into our visitor and education center. The sixty-eight-acre tract was dedicated to him in 2017; although still not yet open to the public, it is maintained by the refuge. The FGCU students were tasked with removing invasive plants at this preserve, and we were able to remove 15 trash bags of invasive species.

Collaboration with the local university has been a great experience. The students were enthusiastic about the project and eager to learn more about the preserve and its history. By working together, we were able to significantly impact the preservation of the preserve's natural habitats.

As my time here continues, I'm excited about the opportunities to further connect with the community and make a lasting impact. I'm grateful for the support and collaboration of those around me and look forward to continued growth and success in the coming months. Our work here is vital, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Reflecting on Six Months: A Journey as the Communications and Graphics Fellow

Hello, dear readers!

It's Rebecca here, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to my third blog post. It's hard to believe that it's already been six months since I embarked on this exciting journey as the Communications and Graphics Fellow. Time truly flies when you're having fun and making a difference!

Reflecting on my journey as the Communications and Graphics Fellow over the past six months, I'm struck by how quickly time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday that I embarked on this adventure, starting with my exploration of Channel Islands National Park. This breathtaking beach park set the stage for my initial steps into this exciting role.


As I ventured into Channel Islands National Park, it wasn't merely a leisurely escape; it served as a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the importance of seizing each moment. Walking along the sandy shores, soaking in the coastal beauty, I couldn't help but marvel at how swiftly the months were slipping through my fingers. It was a humbling experience, grounding me in the present while igniting a sense of urgency to make the most of every opportunity that came my way. This quick picture I took does not showcase the beautiful beach in all its glory. Hope you can imagine a little through this picture!

One of the standout moments of the past six months has been the creation of the wayfinding document for our esteemed partner. Crafting this project signage package was more than just a task; it was a labor of love aimed at streamlining processes and providing clarity amidst the complexity of our work. As a remote worker stationed in sunny California, far from my team in the Midwest, the project offered me the chance to showcase my graphic design skills while fostering a sense of connection and collaboration across geographical boundaries.

Amidst the flurry of NPS RTCA technical support applications flooding in, organizing and tracking incoming projects became my exhilarating responsibility. Each new submission represented a unique opportunity to positively impact communities across the Midwest, from bustling urban centers to tranquil rural landscapes. It was a privilege to play a role in facilitating these initiatives, knowing that each project had the potential to enrich lives and strengthen the fabric of our society.

Now, as I look ahead to the coming months, I'm filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement for the journey that lies ahead. While the road may be filled with challenges and uncertainties, I'm confident that with dedication, creativity, and a dash of perseverance, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way. Together, we'll continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, making meaningful contributions to the world around us one project at a time.

Each day, I'm reminded of the importance of staying grounded in gratitude and embracing the present moment. As I continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of my role as the Communications and Graphics Fellow, I'm committed to approaching each day with an open heart, a curious mind, and a steadfast determination to make a difference.

Until next time!

Rebecca :)

 

What an Amazing First Month with IITF- State, Private, and Tribal Forestry- UCF Team

What a month, I am having! Hey Everyone, I hope everyone's experience has been a great one thus far. My experience has been great! Getting to know the team of IITF has been a great experience. They all are so welcoming and are determine to see us succeed in our positions with them. My mentor, Maya is the best and her boss Magaly is superb. I am working with the Urban and Community Forestry and Forest Stewardship Team in IITF. Even though my mentor is located in Puerto Rico and I am located in St. Croix she have made it so easy to work with her and the team. Just recently on President Day weekend, in St. Croix we had our Annual Agriculture and Food Fair. Some of the IITF -State, Private, and Tribal Forestry Team came to St. Croix to experience our AG FAIR. It was a great experience to be working with them and connecting with them while they were visiting my island. I was able to experience a tree planting ceremony at the Ag Fair where I accompanied my mentor and fellow UCF team member. It was such a great experience to learn how hard my Mentor worked with their partners to ensure success with their projects. 


In my role, I have taken on being a point of contact for the clients the UCF and Stewardship program have locally in the USVI. I provide support and assistance in any way I can to the team and our partners/clients. I am learning more about grants and agreements and the different projects organizations are developing, and I Experienced a brainstorming session with the Forest Health program, which was so insightful. I've also joined the Technology and Science Development Team to assist in getting content for the virtual lab website. I am having such a great experience learning, and assisting this team in the many ways I can. The whole IITF State, Private, and Tribal Forestry Team has been nothing less than an amazing. I know this is just the beginning of this journey, but something tells me its going to be nothing less than a great year working with this team. Thank you Hispanic Access Foundation for being the bridge that connected me to this amazing team. This work environment has been the best one I've ever experienced. 

What’s going on with the Royal Palm?

Biologists are pretty much detectives of nature, but it is not so often that you actually get to feel the rush and the excitement of trying to decipher a mystery. I am happy to say that my last weeks have been full of questions that don’t really have an answer yet. As part of the Resources Assistant Program (RAP), I’m supporting the Forest Health and Protection Program from the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico. Our work includes the U.S. Virgin Islands, where we are currently collaboratively developing a pest monitoring project with our local partners.  It is precisely in the U.S. Virgin Islands where the mystery is happening.  

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Hispanic Access Foundation connects Latinos and others with partners and opportunities to improve lives and create an equitable society.

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