FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2026
Media Contact: Zuri Torres, media@chispaaz.org
PHOENIX – Chispa AZ and partner organizations Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, Mi Familia En Acción, Poder Latinx, Latino Outdoors, Reinas Who Hike, Mountain Mamas, FUGA and The Wilderness Society will host events in Phoenix and Tucson in honor of Latinx/é Conservation Week (LCW). The events, which include gardening workshops, kayaking, mushroom foraging, bike rides, conversations over coffee, mixers and more will kick off on September 13 and culminate on September 20. Full event list and details can be found at chispaaz.org/take-action.
Chispa Arizona has a robust Public Lands defense program that organizes Latiné communities to advocate for the protection of an additional 30% of Arizona’s lands and waters by 2035, and support our indigenous relatives who call for Land Back. Its Public Lands Comité, led by community members, has supported efforts to designate the Grand Canyon as a national monument, prevent Oak Flat, which is sacred for the Apache Tribe, from being handed to a foreign mine, and stop the haul of uranium through Diné territory, among others.
“This year, participating in LCW is a brave act of resistance,” said Chispa AZ’s Organizing Director, DJ Portugal. “Not only has the Trump administration fired hundreds of national parks workers, prioritized extraction, development and reduced federal stewardship of public lands, it has also made national monuments unwelcoming for Latinx communities who might stop visiting for fear of persecution.”
At the beginning of the year, the administration implemented higher fees for non-U.S. residents for 11 of the country’s most visited national parks, including the Grand Canyon. Non-U.S. residents now pay the standard entrance fee, plus a $100 fee per person. Additionally, the America the Beautiful annual pass costs $250 for non-residents compared with $80 for U.S. residents. The National Park Service also states that fee-free days in 2026 are limited to U.S. residents. To purchase an America the Beautiful Resident annual pass, visitors need to show proof of U.S. citizenship or residency, which includes a U.S. Passport, U.S. government- issued driver’s license or state ID, or Permanent Resident card.
LCW, which is being held from September 12 to September 20 this year, is an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation that was created in 2014 to support Latinx communities in spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, and participating in efforts to protect our natural resources. It is also an opportunity to elevate Latinx communities as conservation leaders, and highlight that not everyone has a fair opportunity to experience our state’s public lands; transportation, language, cost, proximity, safety, and welcoming environments all impact access to the outdoors.