More resources planned to expand outreach to growing Hispanic population
Conservation is an issue that touches all cultures. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is dedicated to the preservation of animals and their habitats for the enjoyment of the American people, and the Latino-American population in the United States is no exception. Today, over 50 million Latino Americans call the United States home, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making concerted efforts to include this fast-growing group in conservation efforts.
Spanish speakers can now read stories on our Facebook and Tumblr pages online, access key conservation information on our Pacific Region website and soon, will be able to use our Spanish-language Discovery Packs on hikes with their kids at our Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. And this is only the beginning. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service understands that Latino families have just as much at stake in the health and well-being of the natural world, and is therefore working hard to ensure that conservation messages reach the growing Latino-American community.
“We recognize that past efforts may have fallen short in this goal, and we are fully committed to the steps we are taking to close the gap between the Service and the Latino community,” said Robyn Thorson, Director of the Service’s Pacific Region. “Our goal is to provide Spanish speakers with the same opportunities to participate in conservation efforts that the Service currently provides English speakers.”
These opportunities include participating in family activities at a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge , learning about wildlife and habitat preservation through our websites, becoming a volunteer at a refuge or a special event, or seeking a career within the Service.
“We recognize the Latino community as a vibrant and vital part of American society,” Thorson said, “and we are excited about making new friends and forming enduring partnerships that will benefit us all.”
Development of these Spanish-language resources will take time but we are making progress and are committed to doing more. To see our introductory website please visit http://www.fws.gov/pacific/es_site/index.html
We encourage your comments and suggestions, which can be submitted by clicking on the Contact Us button on the website.
“Over time, we plan to expand the information on our website that is available in Spanish,” Thorson said. “Until then, we hope you find the current information helpful in understanding the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the work we do.”
English is the official language and authoritative version of all federal information.
