Nice blog post from Rod Torrez, Director of HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and Outdoors), responding to a recent speech by Interior Secretary Sally Jewell:
In her speech, Secretary Jewell mentioned “iconic places” such as national parks. Western Latinos think about, and value, those places too. However, we also think about the little creeksides where the curanderas collect osha roots; we also think about the small aspen groves where the dendroglyphs can still by found, carved by sheepherders long ago. I personally think about an ancient alligator juniper in Arizona, worn smooth on one side by the strong back of my grandfather, who sat there, waiting for the deer to come.
The values that western Latinos have passed from generation to generation have lessons that can help inform the Interior Department about decisions on how public lands should be managed.