Nonprofit Spotlight: HECHO

During the month of September Outdoor Prolink is proud to have HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors) as our featured nonprofit during checkout. Every year, Outdoor Prolink partners with nonprofits to give back to organizations we align with. To honor these amazing nonprofits, we’re spotlighting each one and sharing why you should care about their missions too.

HECHO was founded in 2013 to elevate the voices of Hispanic leaders, and ensure that their values, perspectives, and traditional knowledge are reflected in how our public lands and waters are managed. HECHO has empowered Hispanics across the West by giving them a seat at the table in shaping conservation policy at the federal level. 

The Story Behind HECHO

From the deserts of the south to the forests in the north, Hispanics and Latinos throughout the United States have always had a deep, generational connection to the land. Long before the mainstream conservation movement, Hispanic communities have practiced sustainable land use. They have a strong sense of community interdependence and a shared responsibility in the care of natural resources.  

We carry concepts like querencia, a deep connection to the land, and herencia, the heritage they inherit and their duty to pass on. Whether through fishing, farming, acequias, or just spending time outside with family, their relationship with nature is personal, spiritual, and generational. These deep ties to land and heritage are increasingly part of the conservation conversation, bringing insight that strengthens the decisions we make together.

What makes HECHO Unique? 

Instead of focusing on grassroots mobilization, HECHO takes a grasstops approach. We work directly with a bipartisan set of elected officials, appointed leaders, and respected community advocates through our one-of-a-kind Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council (HCLC). By connecting these leaders, we build a powerful, united voice that influences policy affecting our air, land, water, and wildlife. 

We’re also unique in how we work. We are collaborative, building bridges across political divides because lasting conservation solutions come from bringing people together, not driving them apart. 

What are some upcoming initiatives HECHO is working on?

At Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors, our name reflects more than a passion for outdoor recreation. It embodies our strong commitment to the stewardship of public lands, waters, wildlife, and the traditions that have shaped and sustained Hispanic communities across the Southwest for generations. 

We advocate for policies that protect and enhance access to these lands for both recreational and subsistence use. Ensuring sustainable land management practices will allow outdoor recreation and cultural traditions to continue while maintaining healthy ecosystems.   

This year began with an executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy” and funding freezes that resulted in job cuts and negatively affected conservation efforts, as well as other essential services for our communities and land management, including wildfire response and prevention, increasing risks for the West’s forests. These developments underscore why HECHO is focused on elevating real-world impacts and connecting local voices to federal decisions.   

We lean into our role as bridge-builders. When challenges arise, we don’t walk away; we stay engaged and continue pushing forward. That’s how we achieve long-term progress. Our mission in 2025 is to ensure that conservation doesn’t stall but adapts and delivers.  Read more in our blog. 

How can the outdoor industry support HECHO?

• Amplify our voices: Share our stories, campaigns, and community perspectives through your platforms, social media, and networks. 

• Collaborate on advocacy: Partner with us to advocate for policies that protect public lands, waters, and wildlife while respecting cultural traditions. 

• Invest in leadership: Support our Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council by sponsoring leadership development, training, and opportunities for their voices to engage in policy. 

• Support us!: Contributions, big or small, help us continue to do our advocacy work for conservation at the national level. 

Together, we can ensure that public lands are managed in a way that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the communities who depend on and cherish them. 

If HECHO were a piece of outdoor gear, what would it be?

HECHO would be a camping tent, providing shelter and a home base so people can stay outside longer, connect with nature, and enjoy the activities we all love, from fishing and hunting to hiking and more!