Led by Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Caminemos Juntos (Spanish for “Let’s Walk Together”) is a year-round program that connects the Latino community in the Gorge with nature through a series of culturally relevant guided outdoor events. Breaking down barriers to access by providing free transportation, outdoor education, and family-friendly access to safe recreation, Caminemos Juntos will help create personal and intergenerational connections to nature, develop and support Latino-led outdoor recreation and conservation initiatives, and build a more inclusive and diverse outdoor community in the Gorge.
As a Latina leading recreation efforts in the Gorge over the past four years, I noticed a lack of community-focused outdoor events. This is where Caminemos Juntos was born—providing opportunities for Latinos in the Gorge to gather as a community and connect with nature close to home. The need for a program like Caminemos Juntos is clear when considering the significant gaps in access to nature, known as “The Nature Gap.” About 74% of communities of color, including Latino communities, live in areas with limited access to parks, forests, and streams, compared to just 23% of white communities. This means Latino families often struggle to find nearby natural spaces. Additionally, Latino and Black communities are nearly four times more likely to live in areas with fewer natural amenities, leading to higher health risks from pollution and urban heat islands.
Despite living just a short drive away from beautiful natural spaces, Latino communities in the Columbia Gorge still face numerous barriers to accessing the outdoors. These include a lack of awareness about local outdoor opportunities due to insufficient information in Spanish, financial constraints such as transportation and gear costs, and a lack of representation and feeling unwelcome in predominantly white outdoor spaces. Recognizing these challenges, Caminemos Juntos was created to help bridge this gap and provide equitable access to nature.
Beyond providing access, Caminemos Juntos offers recreational activities that foster a deeper connection to nature, promoting stewardship and conservation efforts. The program nurtures personal and intergenerational bonds through shared outdoor experiences, which are vital for building a strong community and a sense of ownership and protection for the outdoors. Follow our journey as we launch this program and work to make the Columbia Gorge a more inclusive and equitable place to visit.
We will kick off with our first bilingual event on Saturday, September 21, during Latino Conservation Week. Stay updated on our events at gorgefriends.org/caminemosjuntos.
Check out the flyer for Caminemos Juntos below, designed by Portland-based artist Aki Ruiz.
