Maria | Bend, OR

Maria is a student in Bend, Oregon.

Why does wilderness matter to your community?

As a Mexican-American youth, wilderness is where my culture comes from, it's where history started and where it continues, it's where youth and community can come to together and experience nature. It's where we receive our food from and its an escape we can all turn to in any situation. It’s important to my community to keep our roots and our heritage alive, to ensure that all those stories once told will keep being told, to keep the legends of those who came before us active and existing.

What are your hopes for the future of wilderness?

My hopes for the future are that future generations will be able to see and experience wilderness the same way I have been able to. I hope they can see it through my eyes and why it's been so life changing for me and for others who spend time in wilderness.