Five Hispanic leaders fighting for cleaner water in D.C. and beyond

The environmental field has historically been dominated by White men, greatly limiting the voices and perspectives within the industry. While plenty of work remains to better diversify the environmental industry, a growing number of Hispanic leaders are taking the helm of some of the most influential organizations in the country, including right here in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With the Hispanic population being one of the fastest growing demographics in the country, it is critical to have these leaders included in all facets of Bay restoration.

Meet five Latino leaders who’s environmental work in Washington, D.C. and Maryland is leading to a healthier Chesapeake Bay.

Jorge Bogantes Montero

Originally from Costa Rica, Jorge Bogantes Montero is a natural resources specialist at the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), leading environmental efforts including freshwater mussel propagation, native tree reforestation, wetland restoration and other conservation projects. Based in the heavily Latino populated Bladensburg, Maryland, AWS is committed to fostering and building a strong shared sense of stewardship and connection to the Anacostia River. Prior to joining the team at AWS, Bogantes Montero worked on biodiversity conservation efforts in Costa Rica until moving to the U.S. in 2008.

Part of the work that Bogantes Montero does at AWS involves exploring ways to bridge the Latino community to environmental efforts and resources in the watershed and ensuring that this engagement becomes part of the organization’s work culture. Under Bogantes Monteros’ leadership, AWS is one of the founding members of Festival del Río Anacostia, an annual environmental event that was started in 2015 with the purpose of engaging the local Latino community in cleaning and restoring the Anacostia River watershed. AWS has been partnering with local organizations like Defensores de la Cuenca to more effectively engage Latinos in the communities around the river. Bogantes Montero says, “I have a pretty good understanding of both cultures, and that puts me in a good position to help.”

Abel Olivo

Abel Olivo, co-founder and executive director of Defensores de la Cuenca, is a fourth-generation Mexican-American who comes from a line of migrant farm workers. Originally from Ohio, Olivo has been working on building a stronger sense of community since he moved to the D.C. area over 25 years ago, hence the creation of Defensores de la Cuenca. Olivo aimed to mix his passion for community with his concern for environmental issues, and works to bring resources and opportunities to the Latino community across the Bay watershed.

Defensores de la Cuenca connects Latino residents with meaningful outdoor experiences, whether that be a stream cleanup, a community event at a park or environmental job training. When talking about Hispanic involvement in environmental spaces, Olivo says, “there are so few of us in this space, and we are so impacted by the policies that we had nothing to do with and had no access to creating.”

Alonso Abugattas

Alonso Abugattas is an award-winning naturalist, blogger, environmental educator, speaker and storyteller who documents the beauty of nature around the D.C. area through his blog, as well as various social media platforms, which collectively have over 31,000 followers. Abugattas also currently serves as Arlington County’s Natural Resources Manager. Being recognized as a Regional Environmental Champion, inducted into the exclusive Washington Biologists’ Field Club and taking part in plenty of television, radio, podcast and press appearances, Abugattas has become a role model for communities that are often underrepresented in environmental spaces.

Check out Abugattas’ “Capital Naturalist” Blog, Capital Naturalist Facebook Group and Capital Naturalist YouTube Channel!

Serenella Linares

Serenella Linares is the facility director at Mount Rainier Nature Center in Prince George’s County. Being of Puerto Rican descent, Linares has made a career out of engaging people of all ages and backgrounds through environmental education.

Before joining the team at Mount Rainier Nature Center, Linares worked as a virtual programs manager at Nature Forward where she developed virtual programs that included bilingual videos, catering to both English and Spanish speakers.

Felipe Benítez

Through his work leading multiple organizations throughout his career, Felipe Benítez developed the skills necessary to start Corazón Latino, an organization dedicated to social, environmental and conservation initiatives. The environmental programs created by Corazón Latino aim to bring attention to and advocate for Latino communities who may not have the resources to do this for themselves.

Although Corazón Latino has a branch in the Bay region, Benítez has built partnerships with national, local and grassroots organizations for advocacy campaigns that serve Latinos worldwide.