Park Leaders has been discussing diversity lately. Diversity is on of the most pressing issues to ensure parks remain relevant.
You can not examine diversity in parks without coming across the name Jose Gonzalez. Jose is the founder of Latino Outdoors.
Jose founded Latino Outdoors to connect leadership, culture, and communities with conservation, nature, and the great outdoors. He works closely with organizations seeking to add diversity to their outdoor and conservation programs.
Latino Outdoors is a platform for Latino Outdoor and Environmental Education Professionals to serve as role models and leads for guided hikes and outdoor excursions for Latino communities—all ages and generations, bilingual and Spanish-speaking. We help set up and lead outings for Latino community members for the purpose of expanding the Latino experience in the Outdoors—with a focus on providing positive transformative experiences with cultural relevancy.
In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jose discusses the relevance of Latinos in the future of parks and conservation.
What We Talk About
• Why Jose founded Latino Outdoors
• The Mission of Latino Outdoors
• Why Parks should specifically address Latinos
• Why there are not more Latino Park Rangers and what we can do about it
Resources
• Latino Outdoors
• Bay Area National Parks
• Parks Forward
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Jose Gonzalez is a powerful, passionate and engaging champion of change for all Americans who value and treasure our National, State, Regional and local parks, historic monuments and open-space areas! Jose continues to refine and re-define the “trails of access” and inclusion for all park users and supporters. Let’s do this!
Jose was an inspiration to talk to. He introduced me to the idea of “trails of access” and parks as a “social family space”. I will use these concepts in the future work of Park Leaders.
Jose spoke so highly of you, Mr. Rojas. If you are interested, I would like to have you as a guest on the Park Leaders Show. Your experience and wisdom would be a benefit to up and coming park leaders.
Mr. Maberry- I would be honored to participate in your program. When I began my career with CA State Parks in 1977, I was one of a handful of journey-level park rangers who entered the parks profession as products of affirmative action. Thirty-three years later on the eve of my retirement I asked a colleague in HQ how he and others would look back at my career? He said “Rojas, you will always be known as the diversity guy.” Despite my colleague’s narrow view of the totality of my career, I guess I should not complain as there is still much work yet to do! Richard-
Thank you. I will follow up with you and we can schedule a time to do an interview.