The Americas Latino Eco Festival (ALEF) -a Latino-hosted multicultural gathering- has grown to become the nation's premier meetup of Latino American environmental minds, and a home for artists, scientists, advocates, public policy leaders, and communities from across the Americas, committed to advancing a healthy environment, both locally and globally, through arts, education, and engagement of culturally diverse populations. Now in its 13th edition- ALEF continues to elevate the voices of communities of color and women in conservation by fostering intersectional collaboration to better tackle environmental justice challenges, leveraging arte y cultura to advance shared values.
Our call to action: Today minorities make up 40% of the US population but only 8% of environmental organizations. Against this inequity backdrop, ALEF’s unique contribution to reducing the “Environmental Inclusion Gap” is more important and urgent than ever.
Unique - ALEF is the first and largest event of its kind in the US showcasing BIPOC led conservation and creative leadership. Donor support keeps ALEF free and open to the public.
Authentic - The festival’s special blend of Advocacy, Arts, Networking, and Education is designed by Latino hosts and made available to all that support environmental conservation. What better place for a genuine connection?
Established -ALEF has been supported by loyal donors like GOCO, the City of Denver, Whole Foods Market, Kaiser Permanente, NRDC, Environmental Defense Fund, World Wildlife Federation, The Wilderness Society, US Forest Service, AARP, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Art Museum, Bonfils Stanton Foundation, Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy among many other valuable partners
Visible - ALEF attracts all ages, cultures, and celebrities and has hosted leaders Edward James Olmos, Bianca Jagger, Dolores Huerta, Laura Esquivel, and Junot Diaz among many other inspiring public figures. No wonder ALEF has been featured in more than 40 English and Spanish language national media outlets between 2013 and 2019 and gained over 50 million media impressions.
High Impact - Since 2012, ALEF has been attended by over 15,000 people, engaged over 2,500 Latino advocates, educated 3,800 K-12 school children and seeded over hundreds of intersectional collaborations.
Awards
ALEF is the recipient of multiple awards including the 2016 City of Denver Office of Sustainability Love This Place Award for Community Building, the 2017 Denver Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture: IMAGINE 2020 Award, the 2015 ALEF Proclamation by Colorado Governor John Wright Hickenlooper, and the 2018 Monarch Pledge by City of Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
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2023-2024 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
XIII ALEF
The Giving Tree: Advancing Equal Access to the Health, Climate, and Economic Benefits of Trees
October 22, 2023-April 22, 2024
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10/22/23 1st Latino Ultra Nature Adventure (LUNA) FESTIVAL KICK OFF
A culturally relevant and equity driven new kind of Ultra powering the physical and mental health that comes from the mix of athletics, nature, and forest bathing.
LUNA promotes human-nature connections and self realization through running and ultra hiking for communities historically excluded from outdoor recreation spaces.
10/28 Community Tree Plantings (City of Aurora)
11/14 Community Tree Planting Workshop I
12/02 Forest Bathing Adventure Fest @ColoradoLaBella Public Lands & Parks
12/5 Community Tree Planting Workshop II
12/10 8th Xmas Tree Cutting Caravan.
Families cut a tree, receive an Every Kid in The Park Pass, and learn about forest management, fire mitigation, and the health benefits of forest bathing
2024
1/20/23 Forest Bathing Adventure Fest @ColoradoLaBella Public Lands & Parks
2/17 Forest Bathing Adventure Fest @ColoradoLaBella Public Lands & Parks
3/16 Forest Bathing Adventure Fest @ColoradoLaBella Public Lands & Parks
4/11 Tree Equity Summit
4/12 Tree Equity Workshop & Trainings
4/13 The Giving Tree Family Day: Artivist Exhibits & Workshops, Performances, Eco Shorts Forum, Green Exhibitors & Vendors Hall, Eco book fair, Storytelling
4/20 Community Tree Plantings (City of Denver)
4/21 2nd Latino Ultra Nature Adventure (LUNA)
Thursday 4/11 @ CSU SPUR HYDRO • Confluence Theater
Tree Equity Summit & Workshop w/ Award winning urbanist Gil Penalosa
Monday 4/22 @ MCA DENVER HOLIDAY THEATER
2644 W 32nd Ave. Highlands
The Giving Tree Community Earth Day
Artivist Exhibits, Eco Shorts, Storytelling, Book Fair, Tiny Tots Inside The Orchestra.
Cuban Roots Master Workshop
Festival Closure Concert (7:30 $25) La Dame Blanche
KEY DETAILS
What: 13th Americas Latino Eco Festival
Theme: The Giving Tree: Advancing Equal Access to the Health, Climate, and Economic Benefits of Trees
Why: Urban tree equity efforts serve a crucial role in promoting healthier communities, mitigating climate, and creating economic opportunities.
Goal: By focusing on tree equity and the impact on marginalized communities, ALEF aims to foster collaboration, raise awareness, and inspire action.
When: October 22, 2023-April 22, 2024
Who: 3k+ Audience (90% regional 10% national & intl); 50 Summit Participants (50% regional, 30% national & 20% intl); 100+ artivists
Sponsors: City of Denver, the National Western Center, The Arbor Day Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Denver Arts & Venues, CHF among others.
More Information: www.americaslatinoecofestival.org