Tour Strives to Increase Latino Engagement in National Parks

USA - English

• Latin America - español

Hispanic group seeks to boost attendance, protection of four southwestern landmarks

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While attendance to national parks has been on the decline, a campaign from Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) is looking to engage Latinos in order to boost turnout and to protect these treasures from oil and gas development for future generations. HAF President Maite Arce and her family will complete a 950-mile tour of four national parks and share their journey along the way through a video blog and social media.

"This campaign introduces Latinos to new destinations and shows them how accessible, secure and enjoyable they can be," said Arce. "And the timing is imperative as each of the four parks is under some level of threat from oil and gas development."

HAF hopes increased attendance and awareness about threats to these national treasures, such as oil and gas development, pollution and water shortage will encourage Latinos to take an active role in protecting these natural wonders for future generations.

"We're looking to put conservation on equal ground with oil and gas drilling," said Arce. "If we don't have a balanced approach to energy development, future generations will not be able to enjoy the beauty of these parks as they stand today. And it will be that much more difficult to attract Latinos, and other communities for that matter, to these parks."

Currently, only 9 percent of the nation's approximately 54 million Latinos visit our country's national parks each year, according the American Latino Heritage Fund. While reasons for this may vary from transportation to concerns about safety, HAF has found that awareness is one of the biggest barriers to entry.

"Latinos are extremely passionate about their local parks, but we need to translate that enthusiasm to our national park system. By bringing more families into the parks, we're working to secure these destinations for the future," said Arce. "While more visitors equates to more park funds, there's more to it than just the numbers. With Latinos, their passion for the outdoors underscores the roles they can play in the preservation of these natural landmarks."

The trip, called "Four Stops, One Destination," will cover 950 miles beginning with Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado (July 13-16), continuing to Arches National Park in Utah (July 16-17), then to Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park (July 17-20) and ending at Chaco Culture National Park in New Mexico (July 20). Joining Arce will be her husband Ted, sons Luke (18) and Noah (16), and family friend Jonathan (15).

To follow the family's journey, join us at www.hispanicaccess.org, at twitter.com/HispanicAccess or at facebook.com/HispanicAccessFoundation.

About Hispanic Access Foundation
Hispanic Access Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to promote responsible citizenship, educational attainment, and active engagement in the improvement of the health, environment, and financial well-being of Hispanic families throughout the United States. Working with and through strategic partnerships with faith and community organizations, HAF is dedicated to providing greater access to vital information and community resources to the U.S. Hispanic population to improve health and quality of life. For more information visit www.hispanicaccess.org.

Contact: Robert Fanger
Phone: 317-410-7668
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Hispanic Access Foundation