Wendy Diaz and Emily Gomez

[00:02] EMILY GOMEZ: I'm Emily Gomez. I'm 25 years old. It is January 20, 2023. We are in El Paso, Texas, and I'm interviewing Wendy Diaz. And my relationship to her is that we are colleagues in the frontier at Land Alliance.

[00:18] WENDY DIAZ: I am Wendy Diaz. I am 30 years old. Today is January 20, 2023. We are in El Paso, Texas, and I am interviewing El Paso Emily Gomez. And my relationship to her is that she is my colleague at Frontera Land alliance. So we wanted to talk about just a few questions. So our first question is, what was a catalyst where your focus turned into conservation? So I'll go first. So I think for me, a catalyst that kind of turned into conservation or turned me into conservation is that it was more of a gradual, let's say gradual path. So. But I do like to think that there was one instance. So technically, it all started when in my backyard. So just being outdoors was. Just being in my backyard is most of my experience. I did grow up with little to no experience being outdoors. So again, it all just started in my backyard. I do remember one instance that I think I like to, or at least I believe that that might have been somewhat of a catalyst, is that when I was younger, I was in the backyard, and specifically, I do remember wearing a tie dye dress because I really liked that one. It had a tweety bird in the front, and so it was very colorful, and I had a bumblebee or a bee that just kept following me around. So it was kind of nerve wracking because I didn't want to get stung. But at the same time, it was very intriguing. So I was very curious as to why it was doing that, why it was following me around. So I think from there, it got me interested somewhat in, like, animal behavior. So with that, I started noticing all the critters in the yard. So at that time, we had a lot of, let's say, like, of course, the bees, birds, lizards, occasionally, recently, more praying mantis. I know from now, I know that our soil was very good because we had earthworms in there as well. There was also June bugs. I'm not sure if everyone calls them that. Let's say in Spanish. My family calls them frijolitos because they look like beans, little beans, yeah. So I'm not sure if everyone else calls them that as well, but yes. And so, just growing up, I wanted to surround myself more in, like, the animal world or just the outdoors. So my first thought was animals. So veterinary. So I ended up going here at El Paso Community college for a pre veterinary track. And that's where I learned a little bit more about animals. But later on, I ended up transferring to Texas A and M, where I started with zoology. But there is where I started to see that there was another world with animals. So it wasn't just veterinary. There was also that conservation aspect to it. So with that, I ended up transferring my major, so switching majors to wildlife and fisheries sciences. And there I had a lot more experience, outdoor experiences. And I was lucky enough to participate in a study abroad field work study, where I ended up going to a caribbean island called Dominica. And that's where I research fish feeding behavior. So that one, I think, also there, that also could have been somewhat of a catalyst, even though every experience had a. Had, like, a portion or a place as to leading me to where I am today. But I think for now, I do believe that one time when I was younger in the backyard, and then as well as a study abroad research project, that I did that since I enjoyed so much, I knew that I was on the right track.

[05:14] EMILY GOMEZ: That's awesome. That's pretty cool. I think I turned into conservation really late in my age. It took me a while, I think. Growing up, I used to not like the outdoors. I just thought it was always too hot, too windy, the dirt. I was always just really picky and here and that, and everything bothered me. But my cousin, she's the one that actually introduced me to the frontierland alliance, and she would make me volunteer with her when I was in high school and college so I could get experience. And this one time, we attended this, it was basically at hueco tanks, and they had, like, since they had reservations there, they had an event, and all the environmental organizations went and just a little booth thing set up where everyone does their own thing and just introduce what they do. And I remember specifically towards the end, they did a dance, and I just thought it was so life changing. I don't know why. I don't know if it's because we were in Hueco tanks and it's so pretty out there and then just seeing people in their culture and how they. They do it, you know, obviously for their culture, but they also incorporate, like, nature and the things that make us as one. And I was like, whoa. I think I need to change my life path in that sense of I need to take care of the world that I do live in, and I need to maintain it and do my part as much as I can to educate people that these things are important and all these cultures come into hand where this is our land and we need to maintain and take care of. And I think that's where I started just being like, wow, I really do like this side of conservation in the outside world where you're not just even doing it for youth but for things that have been happening for years and years and years. And I think that's where I turned. And from there, it was just up. I started volunteering, and I don't think my major has much to do with it because I am a communication major. So it's not like I really focus on any aspect of, I don't really have a concentration, in a sense, but I really like this part of my life where I am focusing. I'm deciding to focus on the conservation world. And, yeah, I think that's where it really spiked up for me, and it's been awesome since then.

[08:02] WENDY DIAZ: Interesting. Yeah. And now I'm thinking maybe I was there at Hueco tanks as well. Maybe on that same day. It was 2019, then maybe I was there because I was also 2019.

[08:17] EMILY GOMEZ: Oh, I was like, maybe you were. I don't know.

[08:19] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah. Yeah. So if I remember correctly, at that time, I was actually the ambassador for Hueco tanks. So I was there that day helping pretty much the traveling from the parking lot to the actual event. So it was like a little wagon.

[08:42] EMILY GOMEZ: I've seen you, you see? So I was connected. And look at us. Full circle moment.

[08:49] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah. So I know, I know. It's very nice out there.

[08:52] EMILY GOMEZ: It is.

[08:52] WENDY DIAZ: So it is, at least for me, I think of it more like, in a sense, kind of spiritual.

[08:59] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes.

[09:00] WENDY DIAZ: Since you're out there, they have the native american tribes that they collaborate with a lot. They explain the stories, the pictographs, the. The story that they. They connect with through the pictographs. It's awesome.

[09:15] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes, it is. It is absolutely an experience. And they loved it.

[09:19] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah.

[09:21] EMILY GOMEZ: Okay, perfect. So what are you passionate about at the Frontierland alliance and why?

[09:29] WENDY DIAZ: So, for me, I am more passionate about the, let's say, like, the dedication to conservation, to land conservation that Frontera has. Again, more my, let's say my background has. I've always tried to make it more conservation, wildlife, outdoor related. So I've always tried to surround myself around that. So I think that's why I do really like the whole mission for Frontera, but also that Frontera is able to, let's say, provide these outdoor experiences, or for right now, that I'm also able to provide these outdoor experiences to, let's say, my local community where I grew up. So I try to learn, let's see. In this case, for me, I try to bring those experiences or things that I had learned outside of El Paso and try to bring them in to El Paso because a lot of times I do think, or at least before, every time I see something is, I really wish we had that here in El Paso. So I try to bring all of that into Frontera into here. But as well, I do really enjoy, let's say, seeing the people that interact with us or engage with us, that their, let's say, their faces or their comments that they really do enjoy just being out there. Either if it's at an event, if it's a casual hike, nature walk, anything in between, they always enjoy it. So it makes me feel happy that they feel happy just being out there.

[11:25] EMILY GOMEZ: That is true. That is always a joy. I specifically focus on Castner Range since I am their field operation manager. And I think what I have learned throughout these last 18 months is that the one thing everyone will always have in common with you when you do, when you're working with any type of organization, is that everyone has passion for the same thing, which is conserving and protecting. So I think I have, throughout these 18 months, I have become so much more passionate over protecting open spaces and how important, how much of an impact they make in our lives. Because I have talked to people all over El Paso and it's always the same thing. Like, those are our mountains, that is our daily background, and we don't even realize, and sometimes we take it for advantage because we don't realize how many people actually don't want, in a sense, don't see the big deal of it and thinks it's so easy to, oh, let's just wipe it out and we'll be fine. But it's like, no, I think my favorite thing is seeing other people have the same passion as me of protecting these open spaces, specifically Castner range.

[12:50] WENDY DIAZ: Because had Castner forever.

[12:52] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes. Especially because it's 7000 acres and it's just, it's so important and it's so awesome that you can, you know, you can't even know this person, but you share that one thing and that can just even give you that extra push of we can do better and be better and actually get something done. So I think that is probably what I'm more passionate about, the frontier at lions and that they allow us to do these things and, you know, we have an organization that we have people behind us that are willing to support us and help us and, you know, and we even do it with other spaces like NAPLAN and Resler Canyon, lost dog. And what's our other one I'm missing?

[13:38] WENDY DIAZ: Thunder.

[13:39] EMILY GOMEZ: Thunder.

[13:39] WENDY DIAZ: Thunder Canyon.

[13:41] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes. And so it's just awesome seeing how everyone shares the same passion of protecting. I think that's my favorite thing.

[13:49] WENDY DIAZ: Yes. Yes. And I'd agree definitely for those. It is nice that where I think for us, most of the time, we're surrounded by like minded people, but we also want that other group of folks that are not very outdoorsy or maybe they grew up like us, that we didn't get that outdoor experience as well. So we want to change their mind as well, in a sense, for them to be able to, let's say, appreciate those areas, all of these natural open spaces so that they can also help protect these areas.

[14:35] EMILY GOMEZ: Agreed.

[14:36] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah. So our third, let's say another question is, as a Latina in conservation, how can we engage with the hispanic community with the desert?

[14:53] EMILY GOMEZ: I think this one is kind of. It's, well, me, growing up, I was never introduced to the outdoors. You know, my family was really, I guess, tunnel vision in a sense. You know, our life was. My parents worked, we stayed home. If they took us out, it was like something completely different. It's not like we went out and hiked or, you know, but I also think as. As my parents, like, being immigrants and coming here, I think that's like, the last thing in their mind to, oh, yeah, let me go outdoors and do this and this and that. Like, in a sense, they didn't even have that time, you know? And. And I think growing up, now that I'm older, I realize that, you know, these are things that we, in a sense, take advantage of in our privilege to have that time and that effort of, like, I'm gonna go outside and take my kids on a hike. And, you know, and it's such a different kind of bonding, too, of. But unfortunately, like, in my situation, like, my parents really didn't have that time, and when they did have time, they wanted to rest. And I think now that I see it, I think the best way that we could bring the hispanic community more with nature and the outdoors is to do more events or. And, you know, just make it more broad so everyone can see it and not just keep it, like you said, to the same like minded people, you know, which. Which would involve us to go to communities or smaller communities that don't see this or don't see our post or don't have Facebook or don't have Instagram. And I think that's how we really target our community by showing them that, yes, like you can do this too, even if it's just a small hike for an hour on a Sunday once a month or, yes, you can do this, you know, and it's a little privilege and opportunity for them. And, you know, and the best part about us is that we do everything for free in a sense. You know, it's just them needing to show up and just join in. So I think that's our best bet to just keep pushing it towards communities that don't really hear about it or see it as often.

[17:16] WENDY DIAZ: Right? Yeah. And I definitely agree. So I think since both of us, I think, have very similar backgrounds in a sense of just growing up without that or little to no outdoor experience, I like to think, or at least I believe that we're able to connect with the community that way. So even though we both have somewhat of different focuses within frontera. So more, let's say on my side, just in more of a general, the chihuahuan desert and everything that's within. And you have castner and even with your background in communications, that also helps since youre, let's say you're able to communicate all of this conservation information to the public. So of course, we like a lot of times, let's say conservation is very more on the scientific side in some cases. And we do need that other person to help with communicating all of that information in, let's say, air quote, nicer way of putting things.

[18:32] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes, absolutely.

[18:34] WENDY DIAZ: Uh huh. Yeah. And definitely since, again, since for me, I like to think that in my case, again, since I didn't have that outdoor experience that I can connect with a lot of the families here. Again, like you mentioned, your family didn't have that time or maybe it wasn't even in their minds. So it was the same over here in my family that I think most of it, it wasn't in the, in their, let's say, at the front of their mind is going outdoors. So I think a lot of people here have that same, let's say that same experience. So it's just a nice way of being able to connect with them that, let's say now you have, let's say, the knowledge or even the experience of being outdoors. And you can say, yes, I grew up just like you and I'm here now. So if I can do it, maybe you can do it as well.

[19:35] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes, of course. And I also think I lost my head, but keep going. I lost it. I'm sorry.

[19:47] WENDY DIAZ: You're good. And I think another aspect of it, which is similar to what you had mentioned is we do need that more of these accessible, affordable opportunities to be outdoors. But as well, I do understand that there are a lot of people, again, that are very like minded, so they do enjoy the outdoors. But there's also another side of people that either they. They are. They don't really enjoy the outdoors or they just didn't grow up with that outdoor experience. So I like to just don't know about it.

[20:29] EMILY GOMEZ: Yeah. They just don't even have any idea that we have all these open spaces, you know? And I know some people say, oh, it's just as easy as going on Google and learning, but sometimes you don't know where to start. And it's so much information, you just can't look up, oh, open space, you know, like, so which ties back to me communicating with people or all of us, in a sense, communicate with people and let them know, you know, you have all these opportunities and you can do anything.

[20:56] WENDY DIAZ: Right?

[20:57] EMILY GOMEZ: I guess, in that sense, yeah. So I definitely agree with how some people just really aren't even aware of the open spaces we do have in El Paso, just because it's so populated. When you go to the main areas, like the east side, if you go to the east side, you need to go all the way to Hueco tanks, which is like 30 minutes away. And then if you go west, you need to, you know, it's. They're also separate, but they're doable and they're available to everyone and anyone.

[21:28] WENDY DIAZ: Right. Yeah. And honestly, I. I would consider myself as one of those as well, where. Where I wasn't aware of all of these spaces. So I was always thinking, yeah, El Paso doesn't really have any outdoor. It's. Everything is outside of El Paso. Yes. The rest of Texas. So we are very far. Sometimes I still think, like, we are very far from the rest of Texas. And a lot of times I would say we're more considered since we are far, far, far west Texas. I would see it as we're a little bit closer, more to New Mexico and Mexico than the rest of Texas.

[22:15] EMILY GOMEZ: We probably are. I think we are, too, you know?

[22:18] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah. And we're very different, let's say more like the environments. So, of course, the typical, very basic, very green on the other side, and here it's just desert.

[22:32] EMILY GOMEZ: Desert.

[22:33] WENDY DIAZ: So it's very different.

[22:35] EMILY GOMEZ: So people don't even see it as, like an outdoor thing. They just see it as we're just in the dirt of.

[22:39] WENDY DIAZ: Yes.

[22:39] EMILY GOMEZ: But it's like no, what is that? There's more to it, I promise.

[22:42] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah. So I think, and again, I think that's what's the nice thing about Frontera that we're able to bring that awareness to the public here, that there is something out here. It's not just soil, not just dirt. There's nothing out there. But that there is. You just have to look for it. Which just popped in my head as well. While I was at university, I had met a couple of the grad students there and I believe one of them actually, he was very familiar with El Paso because he actually came, let's say again, from the other side of Texas to El Paso, and he was studying more of the herbs that we have here, snakes, lizards, anything else that he could find. Yeah. And at that time I was like, oh, wow, you know about El Paso, and you actually come out here to find all of that information so that he could use it for, for his research. So there's definitely, there's definitely a lot of life potential.

[23:55] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes.

[23:56] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah.

[23:56] EMILY GOMEZ: Yes, absolutely. I agree. But I think overall, the way we could definitely just keep pushing this on the hispanic community is by just keep educating and opening it and putting it as far as we can for anyone and everyone to see.

[24:12] WENDY DIAZ: Right. And I'll add another one is more, I like to think, again, more of what I would say, creative events. So something that does nothing deal with, let's say, a lot of strenuous hiking, or what is the word? More, let's say less of that physical, physically demanding recreational opportunity. So less of that. Because again, there are a lot of people that do enjoy hiking, that do like that heavy duty workout. Uh huh. And there's other people that want something more of a relaxing. So you can go birding, you can do more of art in nature or journaling in nature. You just sit outside and view what's in your surroundings. So there's a lot of different opportunities that you can do. Yeah.

[25:18] EMILY GOMEZ: Awesome. So what is your vision for your role at Frontera or the conservation world overall?

[25:26] WENDY DIAZ: Let's see. So my vision maybe more for Frontera would be that I would like Frontera to be, let's say, a lot bigger and in a larger scale that we're able to bring that awareness to our community. I want to say, especially in our desert and just going back to what we had mentioned, a lot of people think that there's nothing out there. So I would love that if it was in a larger scale, if that makes sense, but as well, more for the conservation world would be that I do hope that in some sense, that I would be able to make an impact, whether directly or indirectly, whether it be through frontera, just bringing that awareness again or just showing what is out there. So I do believe that us, as humans, need to be, let's say, in symphony, with the environment, with nature, the outdoors, there needs to be a balance. So I like to think of it as we, as humans, are interconnected again with the wildlife, the flora, fauna, the environment itself. And we're also part of that circle of life. So in order for humans to have, let's say, a good quality of life, then we need to be good, too.

[27:07] EMILY GOMEZ: What is giving us a good quality life? Exactly.

[27:11] WENDY DIAZ: Yeah. So we need that healthy land to be able to live, let's say, in harmony.

[27:19] EMILY GOMEZ: That's cool. So this is my last month of Frontera Tears, tears, sad crying. But I am starting a new job in February, and it's also with conservation. So I do see my. I think my vision for Frontera in a couple years is that it is gonna get in a bigger scale. I think, you know, our values and our beliefs are amazing, and I think we've reached. We are trying our best to educate and bring awareness on everything, conservation wise. You know, just even with the lands we have and what we do and how every single one of you has a certain role to bring in something different in every aspect. So I do see that getting huge, but in my role in this and like, the conservation world overall, I just want to continue bringing awareness to the importance of open spaces, even if it isn't here. I think anywhere I go, I would love to just educate and let the people know that this is important. And if we take care of Earth, Earth will take care of us. It's really like that. And I think that's, like, my main goal in everything I do, just to do it with passion and passion, honor, and just stay true to myself, to know that I am doing the right thing. And it helps everyone around me, not just me.

[28:58] WENDY DIAZ: Right.

[28:59] EMILY GOMEZ: And I think that's how I envision myself.

[29:04] WENDY DIAZ: Just very nice, like Captain Planet.

[29:06] EMILY GOMEZ: Yeah, that's how I see myself.

[29:10] WENDY DIAZ: I can see that.

[29:11] EMILY GOMEZ: I like to think of myself like that, like Captain Planet. But, yeah, I think that's. That's how I see it all overall.

[29:27] WENDY DIAZ: And I'd agree. So, yeah, so I think that really covers most of what, at least for today, that we wanted to talk about. So thank you, Emily, for being here.

[29:41] EMILY GOMEZ: No, thank you.

[29:42] WENDY DIAZ: Wendy, congratulations on your new job getting out there.

[29:49] EMILY GOMEZ: I won't forget you. I promise I'll work with you as much as I can. I'm just in those cruises. I promise I'll involve you as much as I can.

[29:58] WENDY DIAZ: Much appreciated.

[30:00] EMILY GOMEZ: Always. Thank you so much. This was awesome.

[30:04] WENDY DIAZ: Thanks.