“I want to thank Rep. Ryan Zinke for stating his opposition to the seizure and sale of our parks and public lands and for supporting the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which protects our national parks as well as close-to-home trails, ball fields and playgrounds in every county in the nation.

“However, his comments regarding the Antiquities Act and our national monuments were disconcerting. Not only are communities, including many Latino families and small business owners, seeing economic and health benefits from Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, Mojave Trails, Basin & Range, and other new national monuments, but the Antiquities Act is also instrumental in the preservation of our cultural heritage and historic sites that represent the stories of all Americans such as the home of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez in California.

“This is why it is important that we uphold the Antiquities Act, and we urge Rep. Zinke to consult with affected Latino communities before forming any conclusions about our national monuments.”

Since its founding in 2010, HAF has made building environmental awareness among Latinos, going outdoors and empowering advocates a top priority, including the groundbreaking formation of Por La Creación Faith-Based Alliance and the launch of Latino Conservation Week.