GreenLatinos

Tag: press releases

  • GreenLatinos California Commemorates the End of Earth Month by Creating New Green Spaces Across Los Angeles

    GreenLatinos California Commemorates the End of Earth Month by Creating New Green Spaces Across Los Angeles

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/22/2026
    MEDIA CONTACT: Cumbia Padilla, Communications Coordinator, [email protected]

    GreenLatinos’ Urban Greening Initiative Shows Climate Resilience Starts at Home

    LOS ANGELES — At the close of Earth Month, GreenLatinos proudly celebrates the growing impact of its Urban Greening Initiative, a community-driven effort advancing climate resilience, environmental justice, and authentic local stewardship across Los Angeles.

    From expanding urban tree canopy and community gardens to bolstering youth workforce development programs and neighborhood compost hubs, the initiative has delivered measurable environmental and community benefits since its launch in August 2025.

    Over the past six months, the program has:

    • Engaged more than 7,600 community members
    • Hosted 350+ community events, workshops, and site activations
    • Trained young leaders in urban forestry, agriculture, environmental restoration, and climate resilience
    • Diverted 611,306+ pounds of organic waste from landfills
    • Distributed approximately 13,000 pounds of fresh food 
    • Logged 3,500+ volunteer hours
    • Planted 201 trees and 35+ perennial plants since the start of the program
    • Reclaimed 7.44 million gallons of water
    • Prevented 161.22 tons of CO₂ emissions annually

    “During Earth Month, we celebrate the real impact of our urban greening initiatives. When we invest resources directly into the hands of our communities, our planet heals,” said Amanda Pantoja, Urban Greening Initiative Coordinator with GreenLatinos. “Our neighborhoods have been caring for the Earth for generations, and this stewardship continues every day in our Latino households and communities. Seeing our people lead urban greening projects with their own vision and hands shows that climate resilience is not just a goal—it is a reality we are building together.”

    Across Los Angeles, GreenLatinos’ grantees planted over 200 trees, opened a community garden in the Pico-Union/Westlake area, provided job training for frontline youth, and built a robust composting infrastructure that has diverted more than 611,000 pounds of organic waste. “When we invest in solutions for our most nature-deprived communities, we unlock the full potential of both the community and our planet,” said Pedro Hernández, GreenLatinos’ California State Program Director. “These projects demonstrate that nature can heal while cultivating the next generation of leaders to steward our future.”

    This Earth Month, GreenLatinos reaffirms its commitment to investing in frontline communities and supporting community-led, culturally grounded solutions built for long-term climate resilience. 

    To learn more about the Urban Greening Initiative in Los Angeles, speak with community leaders working in these urban green spaces, and connect with community members who’ve seen dramatic improvements in their neighborhoods, please reach out to Edder Díaz Martínez at (602) 832-6039 or [email protected].

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    About GreenLatinos

    GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.

  • California Advances Landmark Protections for the San Joaquin Valley, Expanding Access and Safeguarding Nature-Deprived Communities

    California Advances Landmark Protections for the San Joaquin Valley, Expanding Access and Safeguarding Nature-Deprived Communities

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/22/2026
    MEDIA CONTACT: Edder Díaz Martínez, Communications Director, 602-832-6039, [email protected]

    FRESNO, California — Pedro Hernández, California State Director for GreenLatinos, issued the following statement following the announcement of “State Parks Forward.”

    In a testament to the growing momentum behind the park equity movement, California State Parks and the Natural Resources Agency have announced “State Parks Forward,” the largest expansion of the state park system in decades. This initiative commits to expanding the nation’s largest state park system by more than 30,000 acres, including the creation of three new state parks spanning nearly 330 miles across the headwaters and floor of the San Joaquin Valley:

    • San Joaquin River Parkway State Park
    • Dust Bowl Camp State Park
    • Feather River Parkway State Park

    “The San Joaquin Valley is more than flyover country—it is a region that has lost much of its native ecosystem, yet remains an essential pillar of life for both human and wildlife communities across California. These new designations will strengthen protection and stewardship, safeguarding critical ecosystem services such as groundwater recharge and wildlife habitat, while advancing the state’s commitment to closing the “nature gap” in one of the state’s most underserved regions.

    As a lifelong resident, I know these three new sites will play a critical role in closing that gap by expanding equitable access to nature, restoring critical habitats, and ensuring that more families can benefit from safe, nearby outdoor spaces. Across the San Joaquin Valley, communities have long faced disproportionate barriers to parks, open space, and environmental investment – all while experiencing some of the highest rates of cumulative pollution burdens.

    Together, these parks reflect a more inclusive vision for California’s state park system—one that recognizes both ecological value and lived experience. This historic initiative marks a transformative commitment to conservation, public access, and park equity, ensuring that communities across the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California can experience the many benefits of protected lands and outdoor spaces for generations to come.”

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    About GreenLatinos

    GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.

  • As EPA Flags Microplastics in Drinking Water, GreenLatinos Launches PVCWatch.org

    As EPA Flags Microplastics in Drinking Water, GreenLatinos Launches PVCWatch.org

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/22/2026
    MEDIA CONTACT: Edder Díaz Martínez, Communications Director, 602-832-6039, [email protected]

    New resource spotlights vinyl chloride health risks and water contamination as federal regulators designate microplastics a priority drinking water concern for the first time

    WASHINGTON — Plastic is everywhere—in food packaging, medical devices, and even cosmetics. While chemical companies often promote plastic as a cheap and durable material, many plastics pose serious health risks. One of the most concerning is vinyl chloride, a key chemical used to make PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which has been linked to a range of health impacts, including increased risks of liver, brain, and lung cancers.

    The launch of pvcwatch.org coincides with growing federal recognition of the plastics crisis. On April 2, the EPA for the first time designated microplastics as a priority contaminant group in its draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List under the Safe Drinking Water Act – a step the agency called “historic” and which opens a 60-day public comment period through June 1.

    This Earth Month, GreenLatinos is spotlighting the harmful impacts of PVC and microplastics through pvcwatch.org, a new educational resource dedicated to raising awareness about the health and environmental dangers associated with PVC and related chemicals.

    The website includes:

    • A risk map highlighting regions across the United States that are disproportionately impacted by PVC exposure
    • An overview of common household items that contain PVC, to which families—including children—are routinely exposed
    • A closer look at how PVC production is exacerbating water contamination and scarcity in communities across the country, including context on the EPA’s recent designation of microplastics as a priority drinking water contaminant for the first time
    • Information on the links between chemical manufacturing facilities and exposure risks in vulnerable communities

    Environmental advocates, public health experts, and community leaders alike are increasingly concerned about the growing body of evidence linking PVC to harm. This issue is also gaining attention among parents and caregivers seeking to reduce toxic exposures in their homes.

    GreenLatinos is particularly concerned about the disproportionate impact on Latino/a/e communities, many of which are located near industrial and petrochemical facilities and face elevated exposure risks as a result.

    “Having resources like PVCWatch.org provides our communities with the necessary information about vinyl chloride and other chemicals used in plastic production. The risk map highlights that this is a widespread issue affecting communities across the United States. As we address our country’s aging water infrastructure, we must ensure that infrastructure solutions do not create new burdens for communities already living near plastic production facilities.” – Dr. Val Schull, GreenLatinos Water & Ocean Program Director

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    About GreenLatinos

    NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD. GreenLatinos convenes an active comunidad of environmental, conservation, and climate justice leaders rooted in the power and wisdom of our culture, united to uplift our priorities, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.

  • GreenLatinos Launches New Digital “Lotería Climática” Campaign to Combat Climate Disinformation

    GreenLatinos Launches New Digital “Lotería Climática” Campaign to Combat Climate Disinformation

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/22/2026
    MEDIA CONTACT: Edder Díaz Martínez, Communications Director, 602-832-6039, [email protected]

    WASHINGTON — GreenLatinos today announced the official launch of the newest digital expansion of La Lotería Climática: La Lotería que te dice la neta del planeta, a cultural climate-education game created to counter environmental disinformation in Latine communities.

    The launch includes a redesigned digital landing page and a new set of digital Lotería Climática cards, promoted through a multi-platform social media campaign. The campaign aims to inoculate Latine young adults (ages 18–32) against the rapid spread of climate disinformation online by providing accessible, trusted, and culturally grounded information.

    “Climate disinformation is flooding our feeds, and our communities deserve tools rooted in culture, truth, and empowerment,” said Edder Diaz Martinez, Communications Director at GreenLatinos. “Lotería Climática helps young Latines identify misinformation and spark conversations grounded in real facts.”

    WHO:

    • GreenLatinos, a national network of Latino/a/e environmental and conservation advocates
    • Target audience: Latine young adults ages 18–32, highly active on social media and often targeted with climate disinformation
    • Featuring: A new set of digital Lotería Climática cards and an updated online experience

    WHAT:

    • Official launch of GreenLatinos’ new digital Lotería Climática campaign, an expansion of La Lotería Climática: La Lotería que te dice la neta del planeta
    • Release of:
      • A new digital card set debunking climate myths
      • A redesigned landing page for the game
      • A new social media campaign to counter environmental disinformation
    • Campaign content includes:
      • Interactive digital Lotería tiles
      • Infographics and short educational videos
      • Shareable resources for community spaces, workshops, and educators

    WHERE:

    WHEN:

    • Campaign Launch: Earth Week, 04/20/2026
    • Ongoing promotion throughout Earth Month and broader 2026 environmental justice programming

    WHY:

    • To inoculate Latine youth against climate disinformation and build climate literacy
    • To empower a new generation of trusted messengers—family, friends, and community leaders—who can recognize and counter misinformation
    • To offer a culturally resonant tool rooted in the beloved Lotería tradition that makes climate education engaging and accessible
    • To support long-term community resilience, advocacy, and collective climate action

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    About GreenLatinos

    NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD. GreenLatinos convenes an active comunidad of environmental, conservation, and climate justice leaders rooted in the power and wisdom of our culture, united to uplift our priorities, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

  • GreenLatinos Celebrates Earth Month by Highlighting Community-Led Climate Action Across Chicago, Los Angeles, and Albuquerque

    GreenLatinos Celebrates Earth Month by Highlighting Community-Led Climate Action Across Chicago, Los Angeles, and Albuquerque

    GreenLatinos’ Urban Greening Initiative Shows Climate Resilience Starts at Home

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/22/26
    MEDIA CONTACT: Cumbia Padilla, Communications Coordinator, 707-382-8113, [email protected]

    [Los Angeles, California] — April 2026 — In celebration of Earth Month, GreenLatinos is proud to share the growing impact of its Urban Greening Initiative, a community-driven effort advancing climate resilience, environmental justice, and authentic local stewardship across Chicago, Los Angeles, and Albuquerque.

    From expanding urban tree canopy and community gardens to bolstering youth workforce development programs and neighborhood compost hubs, the initiative has delivered measurable environmental and community benefits from its launch in August 2025 to this spring.

    Over the past six months, the program has:

    • Engaged more than 7,600 community members
    • Hosted 350+ community events, workshops, and site activations
    • Diverted 611,306+ pounds of organic waste from landfills
    • Distributed approximately 13,000 pounds of fresh food 
    • Logged 3,500+ volunteer hours
    • Planted 201 trees and 35+ perennial plants since the start of the program
    • Reclaimed 7.44 million gallons of water
    • Prevented 161.22 tons of CO₂ emissions annually

    “During Earth Month, we celebrate the real impact of our urban greening initiatives. When we invest resources directly into the hands of our communities, our planet heals,” said Amanda Pantoja, Urban Greening Initiative Coordinator with GreenLatinos. “Our neighborhoods have been caring for the Earth for generations, and this stewardship continues every day in our Latino households and communities. Seeing our people lead urban greening projects with their own vision and hands shows that climate resilience is not just a goal—it is a reality we are building together.”

    Across Los Angeles, GreenLatinos’ grantees planted over 200 trees, opened a community garden in the Pico-Union/Westlake area, provided job training for frontline youth, and built a robust composting infrastructure that has diverted more than 611,000 pounds of organic waste. “Investing in solutions for our most nature-deprived communities unlocks the full potential of both the community and our planet,” said Pedro Hernández, GreenLatinos’ California State Program Director. “These projects demonstrate that nature can heal while cultivating the next generation of frontline leaders to steward our future.”

    In Albuquerque, local organizations distributed nearly 12,000 pounds of fresh food, trained 18 BIPOC youth in agriculture and urban forestry, and expanded food forests, compost systems, and irrigation infrastructure. “Urban greening and urban farming have been vital to our communities in Albuquerque. Not only do these projects feed those in need, they build stronger bonds, teach the next generations about our traditional connections with the land, and help mitigate the inequitable effects of climate change,” said Carlos Matutes, New Mexico State Program Director.

    In Chicago, projects advanced community green spaces, environmental learning areas for children, and restoration planning through partnerships with local institutions and residents. “In Chicago, we’re investing in community-driven projects that are turning some of our most environmentally burdened neighborhoods into healthier, greener spaces,” said Lucy Contreras, Illinois State Program Director with GreenLatinos.  “Our awardees are reclaiming land, revitalizing their communities, and expanding access to nature in areas that have long been overburdened by pollution and disinvestment.”

    This Earth Month, GreenLatinos reaffirms its commitment to investing in frontline communities and supporting solutions that are community-led, culturally grounded, and built for long-term climate resilience.

    ###

    About GreenLatinos

    GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.