Meet @kufa_castro, Outreach & Leadership Coordinator at @buildingfuturesrhodeisland and steering committee member drafting the Providence Tree Plan; a comprehensive plan that will focus on bringing equity to where trees are planted and green spaces are maintained in Providence, RI. We sat down with Leandro to discuss his work and the future of Hispanic/Latinx individuals in forestry, check out the Q&A below! Q: What do you enjoy most about working in your position? A: I enjoy the fact that we have such an intergenerational group of community members in our steering committee from innovative and honest folks still in high school, to elders who bring so much knowledge, experience and fierce work ethic to our group. Q: How did you get into the field/what got you interested in the field? A: I got into the field of environmental justice while working at my past employer, @groundworkrhodeisland. It was there where I was first introduced to the urban heat islands effect. I was working with youth that summer in the hottest neighborhoods and that ignited a fire in me to reverse these conditions the community is living under, and making sure that community voices are at the planning table. I wanted my youth to feel comfortable and to get excited about going outside, instead of dreading it. The fact that our community gets so hot in the summer prevents them from getting to discover the opportunities in their neighborhood, their neighbors and their river. Q: What drives/motivates you? A: What motivates me is the dream and possibility of a healthier environment for our Black and Brown neighborhoods. I want my people to benefit from a healthy environment, not be harmed by it. What moves me is to close the gap that Black and Brown communities have with the outdoors, I want us to reconnect again and have a connection to the land like our ancestors did. Q: Why do you think it's important for Hispanic/Latinx individuals to work in similar fields? A: Hispanic/Latinx communities are on the frontlines of the effects of climate change. We need a seat at the table and a voice when decisions are being made about our neighborhoods. If we are not there, who will vouch for us!