HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors)’s Post

2/3 of US land is divided among "states, tribes, and private owners [which] will still have various protective initiatives regardless of the election, with money from legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act helping fund projects that help prevent clearing of certain forests or filling in of wetlands." Conservation from November on - regardless of outcome - will mean continued investments in state conservation leaders, private landowners, and, importantly, Tribal Nations, who, under federal Indian law, already have a right to self-determine their own conservation futures - many of which are already aligned with holistic environmental and human health outcomes.

It's your last chance to submit a public comment on the draft Resource Management Plan for the Bears Ears National Monument. The newly released draft Resource Management Plan for Bears Ears signifies a pivotal shift in federal-Tribal relations. Stand with us in celebrating a new standard for public lands management and advocating for strengthened Indigenous-led conservation and decision-making for public lands. Take action: https://lnkd.in/gE3JECGe

The Center for American Progress has released a new column: The Agenda of the 118th Congress’ AntiParks Caucus. The piece reveals the latest efforts by a small group of the most extreme members of Congress to dismantle America’s most beloved public lands, rollback key efforts to safeguard landscapes, and put industry profits over conservation. This new analysis finds that nearly 40 bills from the 118th congress can be identified as antiparks legislation, all fitting within select categories which make up the antiparks agenda:  -Efforts to undermine the president’s authority to protect public lands and waters using the Antiquities Act. -Overturning rulemakings that would prioritize people over polluters on public lands -Turning public lands and waters into wastelands for dirty energy development -Removing protections for protected landscapes -Attacks on landscapes protected for endangered species -Undercutting enforcers of laws that protect communities’ clean air, water, and health The analysis also notes that the congressional antiparks caucus agenda has play-by-play parallels to the infamous Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025- an extremist, authoritarian playbook for a future conservative administration to hit the ground running. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/eMMqZGcY 

Yesterday was International Wetlands Day and to celebrate this in Monaghan County Council (Ireland) we ran a public photo competition and a selection of some of the great photos of the ponds, lakes, fens, bogs, rivers and streams from across Co. Monaghan are shown in the images below. There are almost 180 recorded and surveyed wetlands sites in Co. Monaghan and wetlands are key to support biodiversity and the proper management of rainwater, particularly during times of flood, and as a source for the safe and adequate supply of drinking water for the people of the county. Critically, our wetlands, especially our bogs and fens, are crucial in the reduction of carbon emissions through carbon sequestration. Wetlands are an integral part of the Monaghan landscape and support social and economic activity, attract people to visit the county and have an important cultural significance, featuring in paintings and writing about Monaghan. Monaghan County Council (Ireland) was the first county in Ireland to prepare a county-wide Wetlands Action Plan in 2020 and has also established and supported a County Monaghan Wetland Community Network, acknowledging that the long-term conservation of the county’s wetlands is dependent on community involvement and stakeholder engagement. It is imperative that we, as the current custodians of the county, take all necessary steps to protect and enhance our precious and precarious wetland ecosystem and ensure that the county’s wetlands are managed and protected so they can be passed on in a healthy condition to future generations. #InternationalWetlandsDay #ClimateActionMonaghan #MyMonaghan

On this Indigenous Peoples Day, we honor Florida’s Indigenous communities and their deep connection to our state’s waterways and ecosystems. Florida's state parks, like Jonathan Dickinson, which are caregivers to Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River, the Loxahatchee, are not just recreational spaces—they’re vital for preserving cultural and natural resources. As we reflect on Indigenous wisdom, let’s commit to protecting these precious resources: 1)Practice Responsible Recreation: Respect water sources and habitats when visiting parks. 2)Join Clean-Up Efforts: Participate in volunteer days to help maintain our waterways. 3)Support Indigenous Stewardship: Engage with Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. 4)Educate Others: Spread awareness about the importance of water conservation. Let’s honor Indigenous Peoples Day by safeguarding Florida’s natural beauty for generations! 💧🌴 #IndigenousPeoplesDay #WaterConservation #FloridaStateParks #Sustainability #CulturalHeritage

What does the BLM’s Public Lands Rule mean for outdoor recreation? The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released its final Public Lands Rule, the culmination of many years of work to better balance conservation with development and extraction on BLM lands. BLM lands—and our public lands in general—are facing unprecedented challenges. Americans’ expectations for our public lands, and how the BLM should oversee them, are also evolving. Outdoor recreation is growing in popularity, and visits to BLM lands are increasing. While the rule is very much focused on conservation, it also supports outdoor recreation. It includes a specific objective to “Provide for healthy lands and waters that support sustainable outdoor recreation experiences for current and future generations.” Some lawmakers, as well as extractive industries have targeted the rule, and members of Congress need to hear that conservation is an important part of managing public lands now and into the future. We’ve made it easy to write your lawmakers: https://lnkd.in/gjSjaib6

It can't be overstated the importance of protecting remaining natural lands like forests and wetlands for maintaining water quality and the health of our lakes and streams. Private property owners can learn how to be part of the solution. #rivers #waterquality #landprotection #naturalclimatesolutions

Thank you Rhett Ayers Butler for sharing this analysis of an innovative approach to land titling for indigenous groups in Peru - a proven strategy for advancing human rights while protecting forests. https://bit.ly/3zmj6el For an overview of property rights and conservation throughout the Western hemisphere, check out this chapter from 'Who Rules the Earth?' in which I follow the migration of an endangered migratory bird and describe the property rights regimes in its landing spots. https://bit.ly/whorulesch4

WWF&C's vision calls for about 30% of Connecticut's land to be conserved by 2030, as protected woodlands, wildlands and farmlands. Meanwhile, CT Insider reports that the state has fallen short by more than 157,000 acres of its goal to protect 21% of its lands by 2023. Collective efforts remain focused on the 30% target for 2030, though, bolstered by recent land protection wins, a robust five-year state open space acquisition plan and renewed commitment from state agencies and local conservation organizations. Read the article from CT Insider: https://buff.ly/4c2wSBb #conservation #newengland #northeast #landconservation #wwfc #connecticut #30by30

This is a critically important change for the Bureau of Land Management, and predictably, fossil fuel, timber and grazing interests are not happy about it. Please speak up and support the Public Lands Rule!