Nosotros En Naturaleza is a group with the goal of taking young adults from South King County hiking — especially people who normally wouldn’t, including the Latino community.
Jesus Mendoza founded Nosotros En Naturaleza — “Us In Nature” in Spanish — also known as NEN in February 2025 to bring hiking to young adults in the Latino community, though the group is open to all. Mendoza, who is from Mexico, said he wants to see Latinos represented in hiking.
Mendoza said after working with various organizations that take youth and young adults hiking to beautiful places, but at a cost, he wanted to provide free hiking so more could enjoy this pastime. Mendoza said when he worked with various organizations and took kids hiking, he noticed it was usually kids from families with more financial resources, and there weren’t a lot of Latino kids. Despite that, Mendoza said now, since he’s started NEN and taken young adults out on hikes, the majority of the participants have been Hispanic.
Mendoza said that for now, the organization can only take people 18 and older hiking because it is still working on obtaining official nonprofit status. Mendoza said they’re focusing on hikes with people ages 18 to 24.
“I never saw my community being represented. I always thought, for a lack of better terms, I never saw people of color being represented. I always thought of it more as like a Caucasian white thing, I just never felt represented out in nature,” Mendoza said. “Even now that I’m in this space, the more and more I get into it, Washington trails and all of these associations, even then I don’t feel they’re being representative of my people — people of color and Latino community.”
Mendoza said he’s been able to bring in members through word of mouth, and giving them incentives. Mendoza said to join the group for the last springto fall 2024 cohort, participants had to send an application form, and if they were accepted, they would be taken on hikes throughout Washington with transportation, snacks and dinner provided. Additionally, if participants successfully completed the program, they would receive a $180 stipend.
Mendoza said the food portion was really important. Mendoza said through his own experience, he always found that after going on a hike, he wanted to enjoy a good meal, or while hiking, he wanted to eat good snacks. He said he wanted to ensure after every hike participant would have a good meal and enjoy it with good people.
Mendoza said he grew up in Kent, and now that he’s living in Maple Valley and working in Federal Way full time, he wants to bring more opportunities to South King County. Growing up, he didn’t feel like there were a lot of opportunities for free activities, so that’s what he wants to bring to the area.
Mendoza said NEN’s latest endeavor was a Friendsgiving event held at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The event was originally going to be held at the Federal Way Public Library, but high winds closed the library. The event brought together NEN members for food, games, gifts and prizes. Mendoza said that one of the gifts available while it lasted was a take-home backpack with hiking goodies.
Mendoza said having informational workshops and events is also part of his vision for NEN. The first workshop they had was in Kent, where an environmental youth educator led a hands-on session. Mendoza said he wants to engage people from all of the South King County cities, so next, he might go to Renton and see how it goes.
“My experience growing up here, I always felt like there was less opportunity,” Mendoza said. “Growing up as a DACA recipient and having no insurance and this and that, running into a lot of barriers throughout my life, a lot of medical issues and stuff like that, I just always saw a lot of lack of resources, and I want to give back to the community I grew up in.”
Mendoza said one of his next goals is to host another community event where they might build gingerbread houses or go snowshoeing in the winter. Mendoza said another goal is to have another cohort join him hiking next summer, and provide incentives like last year’s cohort received. If people want to connect with NEN, Mendoza said to follow the organization on Instagram @nosotrosennaturaleza.
