Posts tagged National Monuments
Press Release: HECHO Applauds Action Taken to Advance America the Beautiful Initiative

Contact: Camilla Simon, HECHO, camilla@hechoonline.org, 503-975-6355

LAS CRUCES, N.M. [Dec. 22, 2021] – This week, the Biden-Harris Administration issued its initial report on the America the Beautiful Initiative, highlighting important steps to conserve and restore our nation’s lands, waters, and wildlife and to achieve more equitable outdoor access for American communities. Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO) applauds the initial efforts taken by the Administration and encourages the President to take further, and more decisive action on protecting critical landscapes important to diverse communities across the country.

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Statement: HECHO Celebrates Restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments

Today, President Biden restored Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, carrying out a campaign promise to protect more than 2 million acres of national public lands, and making good on his America the Beautiful initiative.

For time immemorial, Bears Ears National Monument has been stewarded by the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe, and Pueblo of Zuni, who have been advocating for the protection of this culturally and archeologically significant landscape. Together, they are the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, and they recently published a letter to the White House urging protection for the sacred site where religious ceremonies continue to take place. President Biden’s announcement comes on the eve of Indigenous People’s Day and evokes the importance of prioritizing Indigenous perspectives in the management of our public lands.

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Press Release: Practicing cultural traditions on public lands safely should be right for all vs. privilege for few

Albuquerque, New Mexico (December 27, 2020) -- Following the holiday at Petroglyph National Monument, a Navajo and Oneida man named Darrell House was repeatedly tased by a National Park Service ranger for stepping off-trail to maintain social distancing protocols when he noticed a crowd walking in his direction.

The site plays an important role for Indigenous people, and was designated after Native American activists sought to protect the stone carvings from vandalism and land development. House visited the national monument to pray before the petroglyphs, and to collect earth for ceremonies.

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Blog: Recognizing Hispanic Leaders in Conservation During Hispanic Heritage Month

For generations, Hispanics have enjoyed a unique relationship with nature that connects us to our ancestors and fortifies the bond that we have with our community. Being able to practice these cultural traditions that depend on open spaces, is more critical than ever, and policy that includes Hispanic and Latinx values is especially urgent. For all of these reasons, Hispanic and Latinx leadership is invaluable in conservation legislation that is implemented and passed.

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