California Lutheran University’s environmental studies program hosted the founder of Latino Outdoors, José González, on Feb. 27.
González gave a presentation on cultural “wayfinding” and how a relationship with the environment can enlighten and guide relationships with peers in conservation movements.
“I was looking for a place of connection, a belonging, a place I could see myself reflected and that could be of service for others,” González said.
González discussed how being in the right relationship with the ecological and sociocultural environments can lead to a more inclusive movement. According to González, Latino Outdoors has evolved with more presence and teams that build a sense of community and leadership.
González said storytelling and community can connect people to nature and is important to tapping into everything behind the cognitive. For González, it’s essential to mix storytelling into facts to engage an audience.
“Data makes you credible, stories make you memorable,” González said.
Professor of Environmental Studies and Religion Vic Thasiah invited González to speak to Cal Lutheran students.
“I’m very inspired by José González’s work in terms of in the Latino community and beyond, in terms of helping people feel like they belong in the outdoors and that they can participate as much as they want and outdoor recreation, and then also that they can be a part of the conservation movement,” Thasiah said.
Thasiah said people have been excited about this presentation, especially his class, because he has been talking about it all semester.
“What I hope is that they will try out recreation if they’ve never tried it out before, like hiking or camping, and then also if they are interested in protecting the environment that they can see their own way into the conservation movement by connecting with José’s organization or other organizations in the area that are a good fit for them,” Thasiah said.
Thasiah said he thinks the Latino Outdoor program is “beautiful,” and that “it’s a pathway for a lot of people, a lot of people go into that community and kind of see themselves as part of the transformation for them.”
Senior Anthony Delgadillo Salas said he did not know what to expect for this presentation, but it was very insightful.
“I knew it was happening, but I just didn’t know like if it was gonna be, like, more a cultural base or if it was gonna be, like, an ecological base, cause I kind of got both, which was surprising,” Delgadillo Salas said.
Delgadillo Salas said one thing he found insightful about the talk was when González was going into more of the cultural identity of a person.
“That’s pretty significant, especially for a lot of not only like first generation students at the university, but like a lot of other people,” Salas said.
