From the Winter 2022 Issue of Wild Works

As our Defiende Nuestra Tierra (Defend Our Land) program has grown and evolved, we’ve focused on building deep and authentic relationships with our diverse and varied local Latinx population. One way of achieving this has been the creation of the Defiende Advisory Board. Members of the Board are involved in a cross-section of the Latinx community, understand its social dynamics and interests, and have an interest in conservation and public lands.

The Defiende Program regularly seeks advice from this Board, utilizing members’ knowledge and experiences on social, economic, environmental, and cultural issues – especially those that are intersectional with public lands. Early on, the Board crafted a mission: “This Advisory Board of Latino/a/x leaders, motivated by the diversity and wisdom of our culture, will help the Defiende program achieve its three main goals:

  • Continue to build a relationship and create a bridge between WW and the Latinx Community in our region.
  • Engage in long-term work that will result in self-generating, organic engagement, and advocacy regarding public lands and the environment.
  • Build and support advocacy and activists in support of public lands and their protection within the Latinx community.”

Members of the Advisory Board with Defiende Director Omar Sarabia at an early meeting.

Current Advisory Board Members:

  • Jasmin Ramirez, Roaring Fork School District Board
  • Brisa Chavez, Garfield County Public Health
  • Bryan Alvarez-Terrazas, Manaus
  • Liz Velasco, Colorado State Representative, District 57; WW Board Member
  • Marlon Funez, Glenwood Springs High School
  • Gabriela Galindez, Aspen Art Museum Gladys Arango, City of Glenwood Springs