José González

Founder and Director Emeritus, Latino Outdoors

José G. González is the founder and director emeritus of Latino Outdoors. He is an experienced educator as a K-12 public education teacher, environmental education advisor, outdoor education instructor and coordinator, and university adjunct faculty. As a partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focuses on equity and inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator.

His commentary on diversity and environmental/outdoor equity has been featured by High Country News, Outside Magazine, Earth Island Journal, and Latino USA, among others. He engaged in collaborations with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Department of Interior, and the National Park Service during the Obama Administration. He also represented Latino Outdoors in several coalitions including the Latino Conservation Alliance, the Next 100 Coalition, and California Parks Now. He has been recognized with several honors including the National Wildlife Federation Environmental Educator Award, Grist Magazine “Grist 50,” and The Murie Center Spirit of the Muries, among others.

He received his bachelor’s degree at the University of California-Davis and his master’s degree at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment.