Hispanic Access’ Statement on Department of Interior’s Executive Order ‘Unleashing American Energy’

On February 3, Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum signed Executive Order 14154, titled “Unleashing American Energy,” which directs the removal of environmental protection regulations in all national monuments and public lands and waters to facilitate carbon-based energy development and extraction. In response, Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation, released the following statement:

Martina Potlach: A Storyteller, Scientist, and Designer at the Forefront of Coastal Resilience

Martina Potlach’s journey is one of boundless curiosity and a profound connection to the natural world. As a storyteller, scientist, and designer, she works at the intersection of these fields to illuminate the critical relationship between people, land, and water. Her roots trace back to South America, but her upbringing in Miami, Florida left an indelible mark. Childhood adventures of diving into tropical waters and climbing coconut palms instilled a love for nature. Witnessing firsthand the region’s shifting coastlines, rising skylines, and the destructive power of hurricanes and floods drove her to pursue an education in environmental sciences, urbanism, and design. She is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and Florida International University, where she recently earned her master’s in landscape architecture with a focus on coastal resilience. She currently serves as a Climate Resilience Coordinator for the Adaptation Team working on coastal and urban resilience issues in the Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience where she leverages cutting-edge nature-based solutions, communication, and outreach.

Walking in Faith: Pastor José Guardado's Journey of Leadership, Growth, and Community Impact

Pastor José Guardado’s journey into ministry has been one of growth, resilience, and deepening faith. Although he was raised in a Christian home, he drifted away from the church during his adolescence. Yet, at 21 years old, during his fourth year of college, he experienced a profound spiritual reawakening. It was then he felt the love of God so powerfully that it reignited his desire to serve. Initially, his aspirations leaned toward being a bi-vocational leader, but his passion for theology and ministry drew him into a deeper commitment. Now, 15 years since founding his first congregation, Pastor José oversees a thriving church in Southern California and continues to lead with purpose and humility.

Hispanic Access Statement President Trump and Vice President Vance Inauguration

Today, as our nation enters a new chapter with the swearing-in of President Donald Trump and Vice President James David Vance, Hispanic Access Foundation President and CEO Maite Arce issued the following statement:

Pollinator Conservation: My Internship Takeaway

Hi everyone! As I am writing this blog, it is my last day as a Pollinator Conservation and Outreach Intern with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Ecological Services. I started this internship in July, and since then I have been able to learn so much through several people and opportunities within the service. I’m incredibly grateful for my amazing office, and for the many relationships I have built through these past 7 months. 

Before I started this internship, I was a recent graduate unsure about my path in the environmental field. I knew I had a passion for animals and wildlife conservation, but was stuck trying to figure out where this would leave me. This internship has taught me so much about the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, endangered species, pollinator conservation, ecological data management, and community outreach. And in all of these stages, there is an emphasis on people in conservation. This field requires multiple perspectives, backgrounds, and openness to the unknown. Additionally, our research and science wouldn’t mean much if we can’t translate that to the greater public. Which is why I think it is important to always find a bridge between people and environmental science through community engagement and outreach. Through this internship, I also discovered that I enjoy scientific writing and data management for ecological conservation. Both of these interests, technical writing and community science, are two big components of my upcoming role as a Nature Study Development Coordinator in Reno, NV. 

Working with the MN-WI Ecological Services and MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge has given me unforgettable experiences and memories. Some of my favorite moments were finding 3 Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, seeing Dakota Skippers in the wild, helping with Monarch tagging, and participating in both the Latino Nature Fest and Bat Festival. These moments are just small examples of the amazing opportunities I have had with my office, and they all continued to grow my passion for wildlife conservation.

Chuckwalla National Monument: A Legacy of Love and Preservation

As a pastor, I have dedicated the past 30 years to serving the people of this community in Indio, California. This land is not just a landscape, but a source of life, faith, and heritage. My heart is filled with gratitude and joy for the official designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument on January 14, protecting 644,000 acres of desert in southern California, offering much-needed access to outdoor recreation areas for Latinos, reflecting years of hard work, community advocacy, and a deep love for the beautiful desert we are blessed to call home.

Looking Forward While Looking Back on my First Year in my Fellowship with the NPS-RTCA Program

Over the past several months, I completed the first year of my fellowship with the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program based in Seattle, and began the start of my 6-month fellowship extension with the same program.

Leave No Trace for a Better Place

In my current internship for the Forest Service, I serve as the Sub-Reginal Volunteer Coordinator for the Cleveland National Forest, the southernmost forest in California and only 5 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.