Latinos And Pub ic Lands In California

anagement of leisure resources in California would be incomplete with out consideration of the fastest growing ethnic group-Latinos. There are approximately 12 miltion Latinos in California ( a b u t one-third of California's po&lation; ~ e & Facts, 2004), and this is expe;ted to grow to 21 d o n Latinos by the year 2025 (about 40 % of California's population). About 77 percent of Latinos in California are from or have immediate f d y ties to Mexico (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). Some smdies indicate that people fi-om Mexico prefer to be catled "Mexicans " or "Mexicanos, " and some prefer "Chicanos " (Chavez, 2000). A less favorable tern is "Hispanic. " This is a term coined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census (Comas-Diaz, 2001). Though the terms "race " and "ethnicity " are sometimes used interchangeably to describe Latinos, & they are not the same. Latino is an erbnicity. Latino people may come &om various racial groups (e.g., Caucasian, African American).-?Y It is important to note that even ifa group of people prefer to call themselves "Latino " or "Mexican " that there is variability within the group. In other words, DeborahJ Chaveq though it is easiest to generalize to all "Latinos, " it does not always work. Not aU Research SoGial Scien$ & "Mexicans " are alike,-and there may be more variability if the Latinos are from Central America, South America or other places. USDA.FoYc.~ ~ Sernice Examples of variability come &om U.S. Census Bureau (2000) data: (1) About 26 percent of California's popularion speak Spanish. Of these, about 12 percent also speak English "very well. " (2) There is wide variation in household income levels. For example, about seven percent of Latinos earn less &an $10,000 annu-ally, while one percent earn between $150,000 and $199,999 annually. Median household income was $36,600. (3) About 28 percent of the state's Latinos have had some college experience. While generalizadons are not always accurate they can help managers make better decisions about serving particular visitor groups, such as Latinos. Previous studies of Latinos visiting public lands, such as National Forests or deserts in Caornia, indicate the following generalizations may be useful for pianning