Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by Following These 8 Creators and Organizations

While the government refers to September 15 – October 15 each year as Hispanic Heritage Month, there are far more unique cultures and heritages to celebrate. “Hispanic” refers to people of Spanish descent who speak Spanish. This designation can relate people to colonizers instead of honoring their complex Indigenous histories. 

Today, people and organizations who consider themselves Latina/o, Latinx, Chicano, and from many Latin American places celebrate their heritage this month—the legal name just doesn’t quite fit. We honor and respect people from these and other related cultures and recognize that the terms cannot and should not be used interchangeably.

With that sentiment in mind, we gathered four outdoor-focused organizations and four individuals to celebrate and learn more about this month:

4 Organizations you should know:

1. HECHO: Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, & the Outdoors

HECHO “provides a platform for Hispanics to contribute knowledge and perspectives about public land conservation.” The organization advocates for federal policies protecting natural resources, empowers Hispanic leaders to take action, and engages communities in conserving water and land. The group created the Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council to unite appointed, elected, and community leaders working toward mitigating climate change and preserving public water and land. Today, members span the Southwestern U.S. Follow their Instagram for updates on conservation, promoting cultural heritage, and public land advocacy. 

2. Latino Outdoors

Latino Outdoors is a California-based group with chapters across the U.S. Their mission is, “We inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.” Follow them on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of their website for upcoming outings and events like yoga in Ventura, California, and kayaking in Chicago, Illinois.

3. Latinx Hikers

Latinx Hikers is “a grassroots initiative dedicated to breaking down barriers in the outdoor industry by creating access and representation that allows our community to establish connections with nature just as our ancestors once had.” The group hosts events nationwide, from hiking in Boise, Idaho, to a creative campout in Georgia. 

Follow the organization on Instagram for updates.

4. Hispanic Access Foundation

Hispanic Access Foundation “establishes bridges of access that provide a path for the development and rise of Latino leaders and elevates their voices in areas where they are underrepresented.” This grassroots organization promotes outdoor access, environmental stewardship, and community networking. This unique network spans the U.S., offering a myriad of resources, from increasing civic engagement and raising Latino voices in politics to establishing business networking opportunities. Follow their Instagram to learn more about how the Hispanic Access Foundation promotes stewardship, health, and vitality among Latino communities.

4 Creators you should know:

1. Luz Lituma

Luz Lituma is the co-founder of Latinx Hikers. She spent her youth indoors in Queens, New York, and Atlanta, Georgia, and felt called to the outdoors as she grew up. She lives on the road today, traveling throughout the west and creating personal experiences that get people outside. She enjoys helping organizations expand their volunteer bases and partners with organizations like local travel bureaus to tell stories about public lands. In a recent Instagram post, she wrote, “Don’t let social media or ads make you believe there’s only one way to be ‘outdoorsy.’” 

2. Michelle Barboza

Michelle Barboza goes by LatinxNaturalist on Instagram. A self-proclaimed Queer Person of Color or QPOC, they are a forager, birder, geologist, paleontologist, and co-host of Eons Show. Michelle offers a wealth of knowledge about the natural world and regularly shares experiences and info about incredible places (think: Craters of the Moon National Park and Olympic National Park). Follow their Instagram for fantastic views and tidbits about lava tubes, long-extinct animal skeletons, and natural history. Check out Eons Show on Youtube!

3. Daniela Herrera

Daniela Herrera is based in Chicago, Illinois, and leads bird walks in Spanish for BIPOC folks! This Mexicana birder meanders places like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Humbolt Park, and Morton Arboretum to help people learn about and spot unique species like Black Crowned Night Herons and varieties of bats and hummingbirds. Follow her on Instagram for upcoming opportunities to get outside together, or DM her to set up a walk!

4. Victor Diaz

Victor Diaz co-founded Renegade Running, a running brand and community based in Oakland and Los Angeles, California. He and co-founder Bolota Asmerom established the company to create a space for diverse communities to “share the love and pain that comes from running.” Renegade sells running shoes, clothes, and accessories and hosts group runs and workouts for people of all running experiences and ability levels. Visit the Renegade Running website to shop and sign up for their newsletter.  Follow the brand on Instagram for updates on fundraising and events.

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Thanks to my lovely friend Noël Russel for talking with me about “Hispanic Heritage Month” and ways she connects with being a Chicana American during this celebration despite the incongruous name. Noël is changing the narrative that to be “outdoorsy” you have to take big trips far from home. She can often be found hiking with her rescue pups in her favorite parks around her home in the Bay Area in California.