Mindy at Grand Teton National Park.
Photo courtesy of Mindy Burbano Stearns.
A proud champion of the National Park Foundation’s efforts to support
Latino heritage sites through the Foundation's Latino Heritage Fund, Stearns,
alongside other generous donors, believes supporting the Latino Heritage Fund
is an investment in their heritage.
“As a Latina, I want to instill in future generations the cultural significance
of family gatherings at missions and parks,” she shares. “I want Latinos of all
ages to feel connected to these special places and see themselves reflected
and respected across the landscapes and historic sites.”
Spending time with family outdoors has always been one of her favorite
pastimes. For her, it has become a tradition where shared food, many stories, and
lots of laughter are involved.
“When the opportunity presented itself to be on the National Park
Foundation Board Directors, it felt like a perfect match, a chance to help preserve
these special places and our collective heritage, including my Latino heritage,”
she shares.
Ruth Hernandez Prescott, J.D.
National Park Foundation Chief of Staff
“Born and raised in Texas, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a
Latino heritage site that is close to my heart,” shares NPF chief of staff, Ruth
Prescott.
Prior to joining the National Park Foundation, Prescott spent more than 25
years working in higher ed ucation at various universities. Those experiences
instilled in her a deep commitment to forever learning and helping ensure all
people have opportunities to learn throughout their lives.
“National parks are some of the most engaging classrooms, so my
background is a great fit for this organization’s mission,” she shares. “As my
colleagues in the National Park Foundation’s History and Culture program say,
“Before we can teach it, we have to preserve it,” and that is what we help
do at the National Park Foundation. I was inspired to be part of a national
organization that is helping to preserve special places that we can all learn
from, whether it be history, science, culture, art, you name it. We work in
collaboration with the National Park Service and partners to help preserve
stories and sites that celebrate and honor the rich cultural mosaic of the United
States, including the contributions of Latino communities, and we help connect
all people to these park experiences.”
Today, Prescott advises the President/CEO, board, and executive team on
strategies to enhance the operating efficiency of the National Park Foundation.
She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President
working to advance the priorities of the President/CEO. In addition, Prescott
coordinates the leadership team's work to maximize departmental performance
in support of organizational goals and objectives. She also supervises the
preparation and planning for Board of Directors meetings and supports the
President/CEO in managing interactions with the board chair and committee
leadership. Prescott works with National Park Service (NPS) leadership to assure
appropriate coordination of the Foundation’s efforts on behalf of NPS.
Joining the National Park Foundation in May 2014, working at the National
Park Foundation gives Prescott a chance to help more families experience what
she did with national parks. “It’s important to me to help increase access to
parks for everyone, especially young people, as our national parks bring the
stories of our nation to life,” she shares as she recalls how as a child, her
parents took her family to national parks often.
“They’d load my sister and me up in the Chevrolet and drive to sites across
the south, from the beautiful landscape parks to important cultural and
historical sites,” she shares. “These experiences shaped my life in ways my
parents could have never imagined. The moments we shared on those trips
instilled a lifelong connection to these special places.”
Prescott is excited about what the next decade of the National Park
Foundation’s Latino Heritage Fund program.
“I look forward to us doing even more great work in this space, thanks to
the vision of many generous donors, including NPF Board Directors Patty Arvielo
and Mindy Burbano Stearns.”
LS
Want to comment or have any questions on this article?
Email us at info@latinastyle.com
Ruth enjoys a canoe trip at Katahdin Woods and Waters National
Monument in Maine. Photo courtesy of Ruth Hernandez Prescott.
LATINAStyle V ol. 27, No. 5, 2021 www.latinastyle.com 25
/www.latinastyle.com
link
