New Data Shows Blue Island Air Quality Barely Meets Safety Levels, Driving Local Clean Air Advocacy

Hispanic Access Foundation has released new community-based air quality data from its El Aire Que Respiramos (The Air We Breathe) Latino community science air pollution monitoring program, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The data reveals that average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution concentration in Blue Island, Illinois, is 8.7 µg/m³—just below the EPA’s annual safety threshold of 9.0 µg/m³. The findings also show that residents are still exposed to unhealthy air for significant portions of the year, fueling local advocacy for cleaner, healthier air.

Hispanic Access Foundation CEO Maite Arce Named One of the ‘100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action 2025’

Hispanic Access Foundation is proud to announce that Maite Arce, Founder and CEO, has been named among the "100 Most Committed Latinos to Climate Action 2025" by Sachamama. This honor recognizes her visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing environmental stewardship, championing equitable climate solutions, and uplifting the voices of Latino communities across the nation.

New Data Reveals Unsafe Air Pollution Levels in Caldwell Latino Communities, Driving Local Clean Air Advocacy

Hispanic Access Foundation has released new air quality findings from its El Aire Que Respiramos (The Air We Breathe) Latino community science air pollution monitoring program, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Data collected in Caldwell, Idaho, reveals an annual average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution level of 10.2 µg/m³, which exceeds the EPA’s safety threshold, making the air dangerous to breathe. These findings not only highlight the disproportionate air quality challenges facing Latino communities and the vital role of community science in driving solutions, but have also fueled community-wide clean air advocacy movements.

New Hispanic Access Foundation Report Reveals Unsafe Air Pollution Levels in Texas Latino Communities, Driving Local Clean Air Advocacy

Hispanic Access Foundation has released new, alarming air quality findings from its El Aire Que Respiramos (The Air We Breathe) Latino community science air pollution monitoring program, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The data reveals that average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in several Texas cities—Weslaco (9.3 µg/m³), McAllen (8.9 µg/m³), and El Paso (6.7 µg/m³)—is nearing or exceeding the EPA’s updated safety threshold of 9 µg/m³.These findings not only highlight the disproportionate air quality challenges facing Latino communities and the vital role of community science in driving solutions, but have also fueled community-wide clean air advocacy movements.

Faith and Healing: How Iglesias Sanas, Comunidades Sanas Equips Leaders for Mental Health Care

Every September, communities across the world recognize Suicide Prevention Month as an opportunity to raise awareness, provide education, and remind one another that there is hope.

Raising My Voice for the Coasts of Puerto Rico

My participation in Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2025 and UpWell: A Wave of Ocean Justice renewed my sense of hope in the face of the many challenges we face in protecting Puerto Rico’s coastal and marine environments. As a U.S. territory without voting representation in Congress, we are in a particularly vulnerable position when it comes to influencing federal decisions that directly affect the management of our coastal resources.

Pollinator Conservation: My Internship Takeaway

Hi everyone! As I am writing this blog, it is my last day as a Pollinator Conservation and Outreach Intern with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Ecological Services. I started this internship in July, and since then I have been able to learn so much through several people and opportunities within the service. I’m incredibly grateful for my amazing office, and for the many relationships I have built through these past 7 months. 

Before I started this internship, I was a recent graduate unsure about my path in the environmental field. I knew I had a passion for animals and wildlife conservation, but was stuck trying to figure out where this would leave me. This internship has taught me so much about the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, endangered species, pollinator conservation, ecological data management, and community outreach. And in all of these stages, there is an emphasis on people in conservation. This field requires multiple perspectives, backgrounds, and openness to the unknown. Additionally, our research and science wouldn’t mean much if we can’t translate that to the greater public. Which is why I think it is important to always find a bridge between people and environmental science through community engagement and outreach. Through this internship, I also discovered that I enjoy scientific writing and data management for ecological conservation. Both of these interests, technical writing and community science, are two big components of my upcoming role as a Nature Study Development Coordinator in Reno, NV. 

Working with the MN-WI Ecological Services and MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge has given me unforgettable experiences and memories. Some of my favorite moments were finding 3 Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, seeing Dakota Skippers in the wild, helping with Monarch tagging, and participating in both the Latino Nature Fest and Bat Festival. These moments are just small examples of the amazing opportunities I have had with my office, and they all continued to grow my passion for wildlife conservation.

Chuckwalla National Monument: A Legacy of Love and Preservation

As a pastor, I have dedicated the past 30 years to serving the people of this community in Indio, California. This land is not just a landscape, but a source of life, faith, and heritage. My heart is filled with gratitude and joy for the official designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument on January 14, protecting 644,000 acres of desert in southern California, offering much-needed access to outdoor recreation areas for Latinos, reflecting years of hard work, community advocacy, and a deep love for the beautiful desert we are blessed to call home.