Celebrate Latino Conservation Week and Latine Heritage Month with Chispa

Happy Latine Heritage Month! We know this year hits different. 

Our heritage is our power, and it is under attack. The constant targeting of our people, ICE raids terrorizing our families, and a recent Supreme Court ruling making it ok to racially profile our communities are all meant to diminish us. But we aren’t going anywhere. We will continue to fight, grow our movement, and celebrate our work y cultura, as acts of resistance.

We want to mark all the organizing we’ve done so far this year, and acknowledge that the fight continues. So let’s take some time to celebrate our beautiful existence and climate justice work this Latine Conservation Week from September 13 to September 21, and throughout our Heritage Month through October 15! 

Read on for ways to get involved and keep showing up for our people and Madre Tierra! 

Chispa National and the Alliance for Electric School Buses (AESB)

Celebrating 10 Years of Impact 

Chispa National is proud to be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. During Latino Conservation Week and Latine Heritage Month, we will mark our environmental justice work and progress so far and our continued work ahead with a new video launch and in-person screenings near you. From an idea a decade ago to now, five state programs and clean bus work in dozens of states, Chispa’s work is possible because of you, our members, and supporters. Stay tuned for more screening details and giveaways!

National Voter Registration Day is on September 16!

National Voter Registration Day is next week, a holiday to honor our democracy. Since its kickoff in 2012, National Voter Registration Day and its team of thousands of partners have worked to get over 6 million Americans registered to vote in time for their next trip to the ballot box. Each September, partners from all over the country hit the streets for a day of coordinated field, digital, and media action focused on growing our shared democracy. Register to vote or become a partner here.

Celebrating Back to School and Pushing for More Clean School Buses

Cleaner air = healthier kids. As kids go #backtoschool, we’re celebrating zero-emission electric school buses improving air quality and helping our kids breathe easy, from reducing asthma attacks to helping students miss fewer days of school. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has more than TRIPLED electric school buses across the country, helping 1,000+ school districts provide a #CleanRide4Kids. But demand is overwhelming; for every application awarded, two more are waiting for funds.  Every child deserves to go #backtoschool in a zero-emission school bus! If you want to help your school’s buses go electric, check out the latest guidance on how to access one key funding source: the 45W tax credit, which provides school districts up to $40,000 per school bus. Through elective payment, school districts can now claim these tax credits as a check. As we explained in our recent webinar, the 45W tax credit for electric school buses is available for any vehicle purchased before September 30th, 2025. For more information, check out our fact sheet.

 

Chispa State Updates

 

Chispa Arizona

Chispa Arizona and LCV Organize Art Activation during Grand Canyon trip to Highlight Threats Posed to Public Lands in Arizona

Chispa Arizona and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) hosted an art activation on Friday August 29th, during Chispa Arizona’s annual Latine community camping trip to the Grand Canyon. The event featured two large communal tents with art painted by Phoenix artists Jesse Yazzie and Cora Quiroz to represent our defense of Madre Tierra (Mother Earth). This event is part of the multi-state Protect Our Public Lands campaign to raise awareness and fight against the Trump administration’s sell-off of public lands and threats to our clean water, highlighting the value of these sacred places and resources like Grand Canyon National Park and the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. “This painting focuses on movement and travel, particularly focusing on Indigenous people who have traveled across sacred lands long before borders,” said artist Cora Quiroz. “It is about the land we get to experience today, and a reminder that public land connects us to our history and culture.”

Rise with the Sun: Latino Conservation Gathering at Ironwood Forest National Monument! 

Save the Date: Sunday, Sept 21, to join Arizona Mountain Mamas, Chispa Arizona and Reinas who Hike for a special morning hike and community gathering as part of Latino Conservation Week, a time to come together, celebrate our connection to the land, and stand up for the places we love.  This week is all about showcasing the Latino community’s deep passion for the outdoors, both in how we enjoy it and how we protect it for future generations. Rise early, show up strong, and honor the beauty of Ironwood Forest National Monument. Visit Chispa Arizona’s Instagram page for more details soon.

Poderosas State Summit

Latinas are leading the fight for clean air, safe water, and climate justice from Phoenix to the halls of policy and innovation! On September 15-16, join the Poderosas State Summit in Phoenix, Arizona, to hear from powerful changemakers, including Vianey Olivarria from Chispa, Arizona, who are turning passion into purpose through advocacy, organizing, and tech-driven solutions. Environmental justice isn’t just about protecting the planet; it’s about protecting our people. Don’t miss it: bit.ly/PoderosasSummitAZ 

Conservación Colorado

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with Colorado

Join Conservation Colorado on September 27th at Base Camp Beer Works in Grand Junction for a day of craft beer, community, and conservation in honor of National Public Lands Day. Enjoy remarks from Colorado State Representative Rick Taggart at 2:45 p.m., as he shares insights on preserving Colorado’s wild places and updates on public lands advocacy at the state level. Come connect with fellow public lands lovers, raise a glass, and make a difference — $1 from every beer sold goes directly to Colorado BHA and Conservation Colorado to support ongoing advocacy. Bring a friend, enjoy great brews, and toast to the lands we all share.📍 Sept. 27, 2:30 p.m. | Base Camp Beer Works — 2575 U.S. 6 & 50, Unit C, Grand Junction, CO 81501 RSVP HERE!

Chispa Maryland

Transitioning to Clean School Buses in Baltimore

At our August Baltimore Monthly Meeting, we had the privilege of welcoming Baltimore City Board of Education Commissioner Ashley Esposito. Commissioner Esposito, shared powerful insights on the importance of transitioning to electric school buses, underscoring how they can significantly reduce harmful air pollution, protect children with asthma and other respiratory conditions, and create healthier school environments. Her participation opened up an engaging conversation where community members reflected on the urgency of advocating for clean, safe transportation in Baltimore. This exchange strengthened our efforts to connect local families with decision-makers and build momentum for equitable school bus electrification.

Home Electrification = Lower Costs, Better Health in Maryland

In August, Chispa Maryland co-hosted a Home Electrification Workshop with the Montgomery Housing Partnership. The workshop focused on educating residents about the importance of home electrification, including how transitioning from gas to electric appliances can reduce harmful emissions, lower utility costs, and create healthier indoor air quality. Participants engaged in a dialogue about practical steps families can take and the resources available to support these upgrades, helping to build stronger community awareness of environmental and health benefits.

Chispa Nevada

September 12: EcoMadres 2nd Annual Summit – From Heat to Hope

Chispa Nevada’s Program Director, Audrey Peral, will participate with EcoMadres, a program of Moms Clean Air Force, in their Second Annual Summit on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 9 am-12 pm PT. This year’s theme—“From Heat to Hope—Forging Climate Solutions Through Community”—highlights the urgent climate and health challenges facing Latino families, including extreme heat, air pollution, and rising energy costs. Together, we’ll mobilize for systemic change and equitable access to clean energy. 

This event will feature: 

• Health professionals, youth leaders, caregivers, and public figures 

• State climate champions and environmental justice voices 

• Special performance by SonTierra and live music 

• Powerful community stories and calls to action 

Let’s come together to protect our families, demand clean air, and build a future rooted in justice and hope.  RSVP for the livestream: https://www.mobilize.us/momscleanairforce/event/820590/

September 21: Sol y Soul: Black and Brown Unity Hike 

Chispa Nevada is partnering with local organizations and our base to host Sol y Soul: Black and Brown Unity Hike at Mt. Charleston on September 21! Sol y Soul is a collaborative community event celebrating Latino Conservation Week, co-organized by Chispa Nevada, BlackPeopleHikeLV, Izzy and Friends, Somos Votantes, the Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition, the Nevada Conservation League, and Climate Action! This special day is designed to bring together Black and Latino communities through a shared experience of nature, wellness, and collective healing in Mt Charleston. Food, beverages, translation, and transportation to Mt Charleston provided. To join us, register here.

Save Energy Nevada – Ahorra Dinero Nevada!

Este septiembre, Chispa Nevada y aliados lanzamos un nuevo sitio web en español, fácil de usar, para ayudar a las familias latinas a entender cómo pueden acceder a estos programas y ahorrar dinero. AhorraEnElectricidadNV.org conecta a los latinos de Nevada con recursos federales, estatales y de servicios públicos para reducir los costos en el hogar.  Ya sea que alguien quiera ahorrar dinero en las facturas de servicios públicos, sustituir un sistema de climatización o un electrodoméstico antiguo, o hacer que su hogar sea más confortable durante todo el año con un mejor aislamiento, este sitio web y su herramienta Incentive Finder le ayudarán a determinar en qué programas califica. Estos programas ya existen, solo estamos haciendo que sea más fácil encontrarlos. 

Chispa Texas

Chispa Texas Organizing Summit

This past weekend, Chispa Texas held an Organizing Summit to deepen our skills as organizers. We are grateful to our partners at Com Action Works, Air Alliance Hou, and Hip Hop Caucus for joining us and helping to facilitate powerful conversations and workshops. Together, we built knowledge, strengthened relationships, and laid the groundwork for stronger, more effective community advocacy in the months ahead.

Victory for the Texas Coast!

We did it! Thanks to YOUR action and powerful community advocacy, Corpus Christi leaders voted against the Inner Harbor Desalination Plant. Texans made it clear: our communities will not pay the price for a potentially harmful project. Nearly 400 signatures and messages opposing the proposal were collected and submitted from across the state — from Dallas to Houston — showing that we all care about protecting our coastal communities and ecosystems. But the fight isn’t over. While Inner Harbor has been stopped for now, other desalination projects across Texas are still moving forward. And the root problem remains: Texas still lacks salinity standards to protect our bays and estuaries. Together, we can make sure this isn’t just a pause — but a true turning point for Texas. Stay tuned. This pause gives us the chance to:

• 🌊 Push for strong, science-based standards to safeguard our water 
• 💧 Explore affordable, responsible, and less damaging water solutions 
• 🗣 Ensure community voices guide every water planning decision
  

Happy Latine Heritage Month! In these tough times, we’ll keep fighting, choosing joy, and continuing to work on behalf of our comunidades. This special month and always, we invite you to keep showing up for our communities, defending Madre Tierra, and building toward a just, sustainable future for all.

En solidaridad,

Estefany with Chispa