The meeting with Chair Mallory was a result of a sign-on letter by the Alliance, which unites Latino faith leaders to develop stewards of God’s creation, in support of the national 30x30 initiative. In the letter signed by 130 faith leaders across the nation, they emphasize how taking care of the natural environment is important for our spiritual and psychosocial well-being and they encourage the Biden administration and decision-makers to listen to the voices of our faith community while implementing their plan.

“Communities of color are more likely to live in nature-deprived communities and the most polluted parts of the nation – bearing a disproportionate load of environmental and health problems caused by nearby refineries, power plants, warehouses, and industrial activities,” said Shanna Edberg, Hispanic Access Director of Conservation Program. “Our leaders must work to bring the benefits of nearby nature to our communities – from creating jobs, to enriching our children’s education, to improving public health, to protecting from the climate emergency, to safeguarding clean air, water, and a healthy environment for all.”

During the meeting with Chair Mallory, faith leaders across the nation also expressed the need for decision-makers to immerse themselves in their local communities. To experience what they have experienced and see the beauty and the damage to our environment from their perspective.

“My message for Congress and anyone who can help is that water is needed for our life,” said Pastor David Delgago of Laredo, Texas. “Help us protect the water that we receive to live. Please help us protect our rivers. Hispanic Access is helping us clean the river and protect the environment. Rivers are the life of our cities. It’s our only drinking water source and we need the government to help us protect the flow of the river.”

Recently, Hispanic Access Foundation also partnered with American Rivers to issue a comment letter urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to prioritize environmental justice and freshwater and river resources as it develops the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas and associated conservation objectives under the America the Beautiful Initiative.