On Saturday, September 27, Hispanic Access Foundation hosted “Tierra, Agua y Aire” (Land, Water, and Air), a faith and conservation gathering and nature walk at Mission Creek Preserve that united Latino, faith, Tribal, and conservation leaders to reflect on our shared spiritual and cultural responsibility to care for our natural environment and land.

The gathering highlighted recent advocacy efforts that led to the establishment of Chuckwalla National Monument, which safeguards 644,000 acres of critical desert habitat and sacred cultural sites. Leaders also discussed ongoing challenges facing the region, like the Cadiz Project, a proposal to pump and export billions of gallons of groundwater from the Mojave Desert, threatening fragile ecosystems and polluting water sources for San Bernardino County residents. 

“Protecting our land, water, and air is more than an environmental issue—it’s about equity, culture, and community well-being,” said Juan Rosas, Public Lands Program Manager for Hispanic Access Foundation. “Public lands provide us with spaces to connect with nature, preserve traditions, and ensure a healthier future for generations to come.”

The day’s program included guided reflections, conversations on air and water quality, a communal meal, and closing blessings and prayers. Speakers and participants explored the crucial role of community health, stewardship, and environmental justice, emphasizing how faith communities play a critical role in elevating conservation advocacy.

“For Latinos, public lands and national monuments like Chuckwalla are sacred spaces where God’s creation and our ancestral traditions come together,” said Gustavo Garza, Pastor of Iglesia Evangelica Bethel. “Our faith calls us to be stewards of the land, protecting these places so that all of God’s children, and all living beings, may continue to thrive. The care we show today is a spiritual legacy we pass on to future generations.”

This event was part of Hispanic Access Foundation’s 12th annual Latino Conservation Week (LCW) celebration. LCW featured more than 360 events nationwide, including hikes, kayaking trips, park clean-ups, panel discussions, and film screenings—all aimed at inspiring Latinos to enjoy and protect public lands, air, and water.