New Mexico Legislature Recognizes HECHO’s Outstanding Work in Conservation

By Max Trujillo, HECHO’s NM Senior Field Coordinator.

The New Mexico State Senate unanimously passed Senate Memorial 44 on Saturday, March 11, 2023, recognizing HECHO’s outstanding contributions to conservation.

During presentations to the Rules and Conservation committees, HECHO was acknowledged for assisting in the translation of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s hunting rules booklets to Spanish. The department now has all its publications printed and circulated electronically in Spanish and English. The support came from the office of the Commissioner of Public Lands, The Department of Game and Fish, The New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and numerous senators who have been part of or heard of HECHO’s work.

Why is this recognition important for HECHO? It legitimizes HECHO’s work in New Mexico, and more importantly, it paves the way for HECHO’s future of work not only in New Mexico but the whole Southwest region. Our work locally, on a state level, and at the federal level has put our organization on the map and has elevated our profile.

Our work in coalition with other conservation organizations is sought after and has become an enhancement to the coalitions we share space with. The passing of the memorial is a recognition of the organization, but an organization is only as good as its team. HECHO’s team is small in numbers but monumental in effectiveness whether we are advocating for permanent protection of the Caja del Rio area near Santa Fe or leading the charge to save Oak Flat in Arizona and advocating for Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada and Castner Range National Monument in El Paso TX.

With a talented team of nine, a bold advisory board, and the first-of-its-kind network, the Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council (HCLC) with active members in four states, HECHO has been effective in federal and state legislation. Elected officials in every sector recognize HECHO for bringing a levelheaded and reasonable perspective to conservation issues.

While acknowledging the science in most conservation measures, we understand that our cultural and ancestral knowledge is also valid and vital to the outcomes of many conservation initiatives. Before there was a United States Forest Service, a Bureau of Land Management, or a National Park Service, our people were practicing time-tested conservation methods that are sustainable and provide a great example of how not to take more from the land than what is needed.

It is a great honor for our organization to be recognized for our outstanding work and contributions to conservation.

We are just one example of Latino/a/x making a difference in conservation. Our contributions, while vital and of great value, there is much work to do. HECHO will continue to elevate the profile of Hispanics in conservation, and we will continue to contribute to making our world a better place.