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Grantees Foster a Connection to Nature and Latinx Identity

October 9, 2024  |  center of southwest culture, cultural connection, hispanic americans, hispanic heritage month, kids in nature, latinx identity, nuestra tierra conservation project, okc latina, story riders, the semilla project
A young person wearing a backpack looks back at the camera and smiles
Photo courtesy of The Semilla Project

As of 2023, almost 20% of the U.S. population identifies as Hispanic, which equates to over 65 million people. September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. The month celebrates the range of experiences and cultures that make up Hispanic American identities. While the terms Hispanic and Latino or Latinx are not interchangeable, there is significant overlap. At NRF, we want to take a few moments to reflect on the many ways our grantees are supporting Latinx youth across the United States.

A person stands in front of a line of small children holding a fishing rod
Photo courtesy of OKC Latina

One of those grantees is OKC Latina, an Oklahoma City-based community organization that brings Latinx folks together. Founded by Juliana Lopez, OKC Latina connects Latinx-owned businesses and Latinx leaders across Oklahoma to foster a sense of shared identity and ensure that Latinx folks in Oklahoma can succeed and thrive. NRF funding supports free fishing clinics for Latinx youth and their families. The fishing clinics help kids explore a new outdoor activity in a supportive and affirming environment and promote intergenerational relationships within the Oklahoma City Latinx community.

Young people hold hands and smile while looking at the camera
Photo courtesy of The Semilla Project

The Semilla Project (TSP) is another NRF grantee doing important work with Latinx youth. The mission of TSP centers around preparing a new generation of leaders of color to create and advocate for community solutions to complex problems. This means that youth engaged with TSP work on issues of climate justice, racial equity, public land access, and sustainable economies. Although these topics can be intimidating and overwhelming, TSP’s work is grounded in building a connection to community, identity, and wellness that helps youth feel empowered in creating a positive future for themselves rather than disheartened by a lack of opportunity for change. TSP achieves this through a combination of outdoor activities, BIPOC mentorship, leadership training, and joyful recreation.

A large group of people pose outdoors in front of a sign
Photo courtesy of The Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project

The Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project shares TSP’s commitment to community building and increased representation of people of color in movements for change. Nuestra Tierra aims to boost advocacy for and engagement with conservation movements while also fostering a sense of joy and cultural grounding in the outdoors. Part of that effort includes a focus on youth. Nuestra Tierra increases access to the outdoors for low-income youth of color and pushes for resource management policies that ensure youth will be able to enjoy time in nature for generations to come. Although Nuestra Tierra’s reach and impact has grown significantly since its founding in 2019, its work remains grounded in New Mexico and the landscapes of the Southwest.

Three young people with bikes and yellow vests look into the camera
Photo courtesy of Center of Southwest Culture

Another grantee doing important work in New Mexico is the Center of Southwest Culture in Albuquerque, which has been working to promote healthy Indigenous and Latine communities for over 30 years. NRF funding supports Story Riders, a youth cycling program designed for and led by Indigenous and Latine New Mexicans. Story Riders helps kids explore their communities, gain bike maintenance skills, better understand the power of storytelling, and connect to their cultures. The program uses a deep sense of place and appreciation for cultural history to connect young people with nature, their peers, and themselves. Story Riders also bridges intergenerational gaps by engaging kids with community elders to hear and tell stories that are important to them.

Young people ride bikes on a trail
Photo courtesy of Center of Southwest Culture

These are just a few of the many community organizations that are led by Latinx adults who are dedicated to creating a better world for Latinx kids to inherit. NRF is proud to support the initiatives grantees have created to help all kids feel at home in nature, proud of who they are, and confident in using their voices for change.