Published by KISS FM | Edition 09/19/2025 | Link To Article
Hanging Out With Friends Who Happen to Save the Outdoors
When I had Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project’s executive director, Angel Peña, and communications manager, Natasha Norman, on the air this week, it didn’t feel like an interview. It felt like catching up with old friends who just happen to be reshaping how we think about the outdoors.
Angel told me something that’s been stuck in my head ever since: “We don’t build community with buzzwords, we build it with family ideals.” That means backyard-style cookouts, campouts, and hikes, fun first, conservation second. Because if you can laugh, share food, and enjoy the land together, you’re naturally going to want to protect it.
And then there’s Angel’s famous “Abuelita Rule.” If he can’t explain conservation in a way your abuelita would understand, he says he’s not doing it right. That’s the heartbeat of Nuestra Tierra, plain language, open doors, and zero gatekeeping. Natasha backed it up with stories about youth programs, wetlands restoration, and big wins that started with small community moments.
Five Years of Big Wins
Nuestra Tierra’s track record is stacked for an organization that’s only been around officially since 2019:
- Castner Range National Monument: They co-led the fight to secure presidential protection.
- Outdoor Equity Fund: They co-created the program giving thousands of New Mexico kids and families real access to outdoor adventures.
- Community Scholarships & Events: More than $8,000 given directly to young conservation leaders, and over 20 culturally rooted community events hosted.
- Policy Impact: From the John D. Dingell Jr. Act to the EXPLORE Act of 2025, they’ve made sure our communities have a voice in the big decisions.
- La Mancha Wetlands: Taking care of a four-acre wildlife sanctuary in Doña Ana County with monthly volunteer days.
Not bad for a group that started with a handful of friends in Las Cruces planning hikes and cookouts.
How You Can Get Involved
This part’s easy. Nuestra Tierra makes it clear and simple to jump in:
- Volunteer at La Mancha Wetlands: Community cleanups happen on the second-to-last Saturday of every month (except September, when everyone will be at the gala). Bring gloves, bring friends, and make an impact.
- Join Community Events: From hikes to river trips to backyard cookouts, Nuestra Tierra keeps an updated calendar of events on their website: nuestra-tierra.org.
- Support Youth Programs: Donate, spread the word, or show up to events, your support helps fund scholarships and mentorship opportunities for young leaders.
The first-ever Nuestra Tierra Gala is happening this month, and it’s shaping up to be something special:
📅 Friday, September 26
⏰ 5PM – 10PM
📍 Farmer’s Market Pavilion | Santa Fe, NM
🎟️ Tickets on sale until September 21 at nuestra-tierra.org/pages/gala
This isn’t just another black-tie event. It’s a party with a purpose, celebrating five years of conservation rooted in culture and community, while raising support to keep our lands in the people’s hands. Expect dancing, music, food, and plenty of moments that feel more like family reunion than fundraiser.
Here’s the thing: Nuestra Tierra isn’t just about protecting landscapes. It’s about protecting legacies. It’s about making sure every kid in the borderlands grows up knowing they belong in the outdoors. It’s about justice and culture as much as it is about trees and rivers.
Angel and Natasha reminded me that the best way to defend our land is to use it, love it, and share it. And honestly, if saving the planet feels like hanging out at a cookout with your abuelita, I think they’re on to something.