This year’s Rio Grande Comunidades Celebration, hosted by Nuestra Tierra, was a beautiful gathering of people united by a shared love for community, culture, and the environment. Held on September 21st at La Llorona Park in Las Cruces, the event was part of Latino Conservation Week, a time dedicated to promoting the importance of environmental stewardship among Latino communities. The celebration brought together families, friends, and local leaders for a day filled with educational activities, delicious food, and lively music. Here’s a recap of the highlights and some key conversations with those involved in making this event a success.
A Message from Angelica Rubio, State Representative for District 35
In a brief interview during the event, Angelica Rubio, New Mexico State Representative for District 35, shared her reflections on the impact of the Outdoor Equity Fund:
"I'm here with Los Tra Tierra to celebrate another successful year of the Outdoor Equity Fund, which has provided opportunities for young people all across New Mexico to experience the outdoors and to really transform their lives for the better."
Rubio emphasized how crucial access to the outdoors is for youth, especially those from underserved communities. She reflected on her 15 years of organizing in Las Cruces and how this region has become a hub for innovative outdoor equity programs:
"We always talked about how this was the center of the country. What’s happening here is what will happen across the nation."
Ángel Peña, Executive Director of Rosatra Conservation Project
Ángel Peña, Executive Director of the Rosatra Conservation Project, captured the joyful essence of the celebration:
"Today, we celebrated Latino Conservation Week with our community here on the river, with some good tacos, family, friends, tree house building, and mariachi music. It's all about making memories and reminding ourselves that being outside is the way."
His words highlight the deeper purpose of the event — not just as a gathering, but as a reminder that spending time outdoors is essential for building strong communities. Soto Pena also emphasized the ongoing commitment to conservation work in the region:
"We’re going to continue to do amazing work together here in the Doña Ana Valley and across the country."
Manny Sanchez, Doña Ana County Commissioner
As an advocate for expanding outdoor access, Manny Sanchez, Doña Ana County Commissioner for District 5, spoke about the broader efforts of Nuestra Tierra in the region:
"We’re here at La Llorona Park to discuss more about Mosa Tierra and their efforts in Doña Ana County and New Mexico. How do we work in our communities to access outdoor recreation and increase those places where communities can gather outdoors?"
Sanchez stressed the importance of creating access to outdoor spaces for everyone. Although the Rio Grande and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument are rich natural resources, many local residents still face barriers in accessing these areas:
"A lot of our communities don’t have the ability to access these amazing outdoor spaces. We need to find ways to make it easier to create those spaces and opportunities for our community — for health reasons, for our heritage, and for a multitude of other reasons."
A Day of Fun and Learning
Throughout the event, attendees enjoyed hands-on educational activities that taught the importance of conservation and sustainability. Kids and families worked together to build treehouses, play games, and learn about the significance of preserving natural resources. The atmosphere was filled with the vibrant sounds of mariachi music and the irresistible smell of tacos being served — a perfect combination for celebrating community and culture.
The day wasn’t just about having fun; it was also a call to action. By gathering at the park, community members, advocates, and leaders reminded everyone that environmental conservation is not just a task for the few — it’s a shared responsibility that benefits us all. The celebration emphasized how protecting the environment ties into the well-being of our communities and cultural heritage.
Moving Forward Together
The Rio Grande Comunidades Celebration was a powerful reminder that through collaboration and continued advocacy, we can ensure that everyone has access to the outdoors. As Angel Damian Soto Pena and Manny Sanchez mentioned, the work doesn’t stop here. Nuestra Tierra, along with local leaders and community members, will continue to push forward, creating more opportunities for people to enjoy and protect the environment.
If you missed this year’s event, be sure to mark your calendar for next year. Together, we can continue to build a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
For more information on upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit Nuestra Tierra or contact us at graciela@nuestra-tierra.org.