Latinos and Parks with Jose Gonzalez

Park Leaders has been discussing diversity lately. Diversity is on of the most pressing issues to ensure parks remain relevant. You can not examine diversity in parks without coming across the name Jose Gonzalez. Jose is the founder of Latino Outdoors. Jose founded Latino Outdoors to connect leadership, culture, and communities with conservation, nature, and the great outdoors. He works closely with organizations seeking to add diversity to their outdoor and conservation programs. Latino Outdoors is a platform for Latino Outdoor and Environmental Education Professionals to serve as role models and leads for guided hikes and outdoor excursions for Latino communities—all ages and generations, bilingual and Spanish-speaking. We help set up and lead outings for Latino community members for the purpose of expanding the Latino experience in the Outdoors—with a focus on providing positive transformative experiences with cultural relevancy. In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jose discusses the relevance of Latinos in the future of parks and conservation. What We Talk About • Why Jose founded Latino Outdoors • The Mission of Latino Outdoors • Why Parks should specifically address Latinos • Why there are not more Latino Park Rangers and what we can do about it Resources • Latino Outdoors • Bay Area National Parks • Parks Forward