Latino-led environmental movement says Texas lands belong in Texans’ hands.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/11/26
MEDIA CONTACT: Edder Díaz Martínez, Communications Director, 602-832-6039
[email protected]
AUSTIN, TX — On Thursday, November 5, Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa urged the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to take no action on the proposed sale of Boca Chica State Park land to SpaceX.
In response, GreenLatinos Texas Community Advocate, Rogelio Meixueiro and GreenLatinos National Public Land Program State Director, Olivia Juarez, issue the following statements:
“Following her historic victory to become Texas' first Latina governor, Hinojosa's decision to personally contact the department and request a pause represents an important step toward protecting public lands and ensuring that decisions about Texas's natural resources serve the public interest. Texas's public lands belong to the people of Texas. A healthy and accessible Boca Chica for future generations represents a revitalized statewide commitment to thriving wildlife, community recreation and productive stewardship economies in our state's future. GreenLatinos looks forward to working with Governor-elect Hinojosa and her incoming administration to advance a shared vision for protecting Texas's public lands, waterways, and coastal ecosystems,” said Rogelio Meixueiro, GreenLatinos Texas Community Advocate.
“The fate of Boca Chica State Park has always been in the hands of the people of the Rio Grande Valley. The community won’t stand for billionaire buyouts of the places that belong to future generations. GreenLatinos calls on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to denounce the proposed sale and focus on growing the state park workforce. Texas’ lands belong in Texans’ hands,” said Olivia Juarez, GreenLatinos Public Land Program Director.
Background
Boca Chica State Park, located along the Lower Rio Grande Valley's Gulf Coast in Cameron County, is an important natural and recreational resource for South Texas communities. The controversy surrounding its potential transfer to SpaceX follows years of negotiations and land transactions involving the company. In 2024, Texas Parks and Wildlife considered a land swap involving 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park, and subsequent reporting in 2026 raised concerns about a potential transaction involving approximately 1,300 acres of public land. These developments have underscored the need for transparency, meaningful public participation, and a commitment to keeping public lands accessible and protected for future generations.
