Latino Communities Want Better Access to Parks and Public Lands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kristian Ramos, comms@greenlatinos.org

Washington, D.C. —  GreenLatinos is leading a conversation on the Transit to Trails Act, a proposal that would establish a grant program under the Department of Transportation to provide critically underserved communities with direct access to our nation’s public lands through public transit options. The bill is championed by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) and a host of co-sponsors.

“Only one-third of Latinos live within walking distance of a park,” said Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, GreenLatinos Clean Transportation Advocate. “It is so important to push for policy that creates new opportunities for everyone to reach parks and public lands, and benefit from them. COVID has only underscores how important it is to safe and accessible outdoor recreation.”

GreenLatinos is honored to work with The Wilderness Society as they lead the effort to build bipartisan support for this vital legislation.

About The Encuentro

What: GreenLatinos Transit To Trails Act encuentro (discussion)

Who:   Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, Clean Transportation Advocate

Joel Espino, Transportation Working Group Chair, GreenLatinos

Sharon Musa, The Wilderness Society

When: Tuesday, March 9, 4-5pm EST

Register: Zoom (free)

According to The Wilderness Society, “In urban, rural, and remote areas, accessing parks and

open spaces is still a challenge.” The Transit to Trails Act attempts to fix this problem by prioritizing communities of high need and funding transportation services to our natural resources. This legislation would ensure that our public lands are more accessible to low-income and park-poor communities, as well as ensure that all individuals regardless of income or zip code can enjoy our public lands.

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GreenLatinos is an active comunidad of Latino environmental and conservation champions, emboldened by the power of our culture, uniting to demand equity and dismantle racism, win environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and realize the liberation sought by our ancestors.