This weekend, El Salvadoran Congresswoman Estela Hernandez will be in the Bay Area to present at the Bioneers Conference. Estela is a community organizer and a key leader of La Coordinadora, and its affiliated NGO, the Mangrove Association. She was elected to the Salvadoran National Legislature in 2012. She now sits on the Environment and Climate Change Commission in the Legislature, the committee that writes environmental legislation at the national level.

On a panel called “Building Power From the Rubble: How Frontline Communities are Creating Resilience to Climate Disasters,” Hernandez will discuss her work with La Coordinadora, which has led the way the last 15 years in disasters response. Community-based disaster preparedness committees, climate-adapted diversified agriculture, community-protected coastal forests, ecosystem restoration, ongoing youth engagement and leadership development are stepping stones towards a more resilient future. La Coordinadora’s strong grassroots movement for democracy has brought their leadership into political power and allow for many of their innovations to become national policy.

Film maker Avi Lewis will join Estela Hernandez and EcoViva Executive Director Karolo Aparicio on the panel. Lewis has documented the successes of La Coordinadora along with other efforts worldwide for his upcoming film “This Changes Everything,” which complements Naomi Klein’s book of the same title.

In addition to Bioneers, EcoViva and Estela will be meeting with local foundations, supporters, and political leaders. We look forward to welcoming Estela to the Bay Area.
Live in the Bay Area and want to be involved in Estela’s visit?

• Join us at Bioneers using discount code ECOVIVAB14
• Listen in to Poder Latino (Radio 1010 & 900 AM, based in El Cerrito, CA) on Friday at 1pm for an interview with Estela
• Attend Naomi Klein’s book lecture and book signing for her new book, This Changes Everything, co-sponsored by EcoViva. It is this Friday, October 17 at the Veterans’ Building in Santa Rosa, CA. Purchase tickets for $10 here.