Evolving Man Project

Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s ‘Evolved Man of the Week’ profiles. Each week we will highlight an individual that embodies what it means to be an evolved man, famous and non-famous men alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to a K-12 public education teacher, environmental education advisor, outdoor education instructor, and university adjunct faculty, public speaker, and non-profit founder, José González.

Mr. Gonzalez is the founder of Latino Outdoors, which is a one of a kind Latino-led organization in the Bay Area. They’re working to create a national community of leaders in conservation and outdoor education that represents not only the Latino community but also all communities of underrepresented peoples of color. Mr. Gonzalez received his B.A at the University of California, Davis, and his M.S at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment. In 2016, the National Wildlife Federation recognized Mr. González with its National Conservation Education Award. He also serves as a peer advisor to NWF California Director, Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, on many topics around urban community wildlife to youth and diversity in the environment.

Here is Jose Gonzalez in his own words about some of the misconceptions in regards to Latino Outdoors’ mission and purpose:

There is the misunderstanding that the name Latino Outdoors is exclusive. We are definitely not. We’re trying to do outdoors for all, outdoors for everyone. There’s a question of why there is a need for a Latino-specific outdoors organization. The answer to that is that it’s meant to be an inclusive starting point. We are proud that we are Latino-led, but we are not saying this is just solely by Latinos for Latinos. It recognizes that different communities have had different challenges. It’s about having an inclusive starting point for communities to identify, which we can use to work on intra-community building, and then we can work on inter-community building. We’re all trying to move forward in the same direction.

Today we honor Jose Gonzalez has our Evolved Man of the Week.