Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, making it the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the incredible Hispanic pioneers who drive change in the environmental sector. Their innovation, dedication and vision advance the field and inspire future generations.
Here are five remarkable Hispanic leaders transforming the clean energy landscape.
As the founding president and CEO of GreenLatinos, Mark Magaña champions the cultural ties and collective strength of the Latino community to fight for environmental justice. GreenLatinos, a national network uniting Latino environmental advocates, connects members through initiatives like the Justicia y Equidad Fund and Colaborativo40.
Magaña was the first to work with both the White House and Congressional leadership as a senior staffer. He also played a key role on boards like the League of Conservation Voters and Green 2.0. Currently living in Boulder, Colorado, he continues to push for systemic change in the environmental sector.
As the executive director of HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors), Camilla Simon elevates Latino voices in conservation and fights for fair access to public lands. Since 2014, she’s redefined conservation to include Hispanic and Latino ties to the land and spearheaded national advocacy campaigns.
In 2018, she forged a key partnership with the National Wildlife Federation to boost Hispanic and Latino conservation leaders across the country. With expertise in managing conservation funds and environmental policy, Simon excels in promoting environmental stewardship and keeping kids connected with nature.
Hailing from Santa Marta, Colombia, Bray Beltrán’s love for ocean conservation was sparked by watching local fishermen and hearing his grandmother’s stories of once-abundant fish. Driven to tackle marine biodiversity loss, he earned degrees in biology and environmental science.
After a decade safeguarding landscapes in the Northern Rockies, Beltrán became the director of Ocean Justice in 2023. His focus is on integrating people as active stewards of their environment, fostering a nurturing relationship with nature. In this new role, he is rebuilding community ties to the ocean and championing sustainable practices to protect marine ecosystems.
As the cruise industry’s first chief scientist, Dr. Verena Meraldi is driving efforts to make cruising and adventure travel more eco-friendly. Born in Mexico City, Meraldi’s passion for biology led her to a career focused on the natural world. Since 2018, she has served as chief scientist at Hurtigruten, a pioneer in sustainable expedition cruising. Hurtigruten created this role to raise scientific awareness among guests, and Meraldi played a key role in shaping the position and its programs.
“We wanted to increase awareness amongst our guests by exposing them to the scientific world and knew we needed a dedicated person to develop the science and education program,” Meraldi says. “I was very fortunate to be involved from the very beginning, even in the creation of the job description for my position.”
Francisco Vera started his activism at just nine years old. He is a Colombian activist and UNICEF's first youth advocate for environmental and climate action in Latin America and the Caribbean. Now based in Spain, he leads the Guardians for Life group, emphasizing the right to a healthy environment.
Now fifteen, Francisco uses social media and virtual platforms to push for climate action, children's rights and justice. He’s currently preparing for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (SB58) meetings. He aims to inspire young people to engage in environmental decision-making. As he puts it, “We must not forget that no matter where we are, how old we are, or where we are: We can all work for life and act.”
The actions and accomplishments of these Hispanic environmental pioneers should inspire all of us to do our part in taking care of our planet. Whether it’s cleaning up your local park, cutting down on waste or signing up for a clean electricity plan, we can all find ways to go green.
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