Today, Por La Creación: Faith-based Alliance, Hispanic Access Foundation, and The Living Desert commemorated the Hispanic community’s role as stewards of the California Desert by celebrating the 20th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act (CDPA) and Hispanic Heritage Month. Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) joined Coachella Valley faith leaders and 80 Latino youth at The Living Desert in Palm Desert for a press conference, guided tour and discussion on protecting our desert.
“Latinos have an important voice in the protection of our public lands,” said Pastor Frank Ruiz, co-founder of Por La Creación and a leader of the Indio Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church. “We have a moral responsibility to future generations to protect God’s creation -- preserving the mountains, rivers, deserts and other breathtaking landscapes of our nation. This anniversary is an important time to make sure our children understand the legacy that the CDPA established for them.”
Latinos have become a growing force in environmental conservation and the protection of public lands throughout the country with numerous surveys showing that this community is passionate about the outdoors and protecting public lands. With Hispanics making up approximately 50 percent of the Inland Empire population, it’s no surprise that there is such a large focus on the California desert.
“During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the many aspects of our culture, including our community’s connection to our natural environment and commitment to protecting public lands,” said Maite Arce, president of Hispanic Access Foundation. “Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the CDPA is an opportunity to not only recognize the previous efforts to protect these lands, but also highlight how Latinos – especially our youth who are our next generation of conservation champions – can ensure that this legacy stays protected for many years to come.”
The California Desert Protection Act was signed into law by then President Bill Clinton on October 31, 1994. This landmark conservation legislation established the Mojave National Preserve, enlarged and re-designated Joshua Tree and Death Valley as national parks, and established 69 wilderness areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the California desert. These public lands are important to the tourism economy and make this region a great place to live and visit. The desert’s three National Park Service gems alone – Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and the Mojave National Preserve – attract 3 million visitors per year who spend over $100 million and support over 1,000 jobs.
“Even though the CDPA made great strides in protecting public lands in the California desert, many threats and opportunities exist today that we need to be aware of, such as the exporting of ground water or encroachments from renewable energy developments,” said Karen Sausman, founder and past president of The Living Desert. “By making additions to Joshua Tree, Death Valley and the Mojave National Preserve, as well as establishing new national monuments and wilderness areas in the desert, we’ll be able to protect this region for recreation and tourism activities for future generations.”
This is part of the series of events occurring this fall to celebrate CDPA 20th anniversary. To see full calendar of events, please visit caldesert20.org.