Hello everyone, it is Cristhian Flores the current intern out at Corn Creek Visitor Center (Desert National Wildlife Refuge). I would like to take the time to reflect on the event I hosted for Latino Conservation Week as it is one of my most proud accomplishments throughout the course of my internship. We hosted an event named Pan dulce y Café en el Desierto, where visitors were able to enjoy some sweet bread and coffee while learning about the wildlife refuge. I led a short, Spanish guided hike and spoke about three prominent features located within out trail system. Those three features included the starting point of our naturally running spring, our railroad tie cabin, and our refugium. I was very pleased to be able to speak in Spanish and the visitors seemed to enjoy it as well.

Once the guided hike was over, we returned to our visitor center so that the participants could explore inside and ask questions related to our exhibits. I provided translations or interpretation for much of the information for those who cannot read English. I believe my goal we reached in that we were able to connect with Latino’s and had the opportunity to welcome them to this public land, which most of them had never visited before. I think this event is a good example of how Latino’s recreate in the outdoors and paints a more accurate representation. I hope this will help with us over all representation for Latino’s and we will continue to see more visitors come out and feel welcomed on their public lands.

 I think this event really helped me grow independence as I was the main lead that helped coordinate and plan for this event. I had the privilege to collaborate with the local chapter of Latino Outdoors based out of Las Vegas. I also had the help a non-profit organization called Get Outdoors Nevada, as well as the help of a Great Basin Institute Ranger. Together we planned for the event in terms of selecting the sweet bread we wanted, the flyers we developed and the advertisement of the event itself. This experience has been a great way to network and work with others. I believe this is a great example of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s goal, which includes “working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.”

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service

Location: Desert National Wildlife Refuge