The Hispanic Access Foundation summoned prominent Latino religious leaders from several Western states for a conference regarding the environment, conservation and energy development. The multi-denominational Christian group established an inter-faith alliance called Por la Creación, which plans to encourage religious education, and foster a sense of responsibility in this and future generations.

The religious leaders believe that public domains, camping grounds and natural resources are of great concern to God, and should be the public. Huffington Post writer Maite Arce referred to the bible, Psalms 8:6-8, which expresses God's desire for humans to monitor and manage the resources of the earth: "You [God] made humans ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under our feet: All flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas."

The newly formed coalition will work to instill family traditions of outdoor activities and exploration, which will be inherited by future generations. The organization's national energy policy shows the link between environmentalism and religion, creating messages that are community-focused and address the nation's need for energy independence.

President Obama's administration stated in 2009 that they made energy efficient investments, hoping to enact a clean energy revolution that would create jobs, save money, and produce more energy proficient lighting. The $346 million investment was said to save consumers billions of dollars per year. Earlier this year, the president dove into the topic of renewable energy at the federal level and increasing energy efficiency. Also, he spoke about a plan to raise the federal government's renewable energy goal from 7.5 percent to 20 percent by 2020, meaning that 20 percent of federal agencies' energy must be drawn from renewable sources -- which would save taxpayers billions.

Notwithstanding, the president's administration has been accused of having an imbalanced take on oil and gas development, protected wildlife habitats, and conservation standards; it being said that the land secured by the government has not been given specific use, whether for environmental sustainability or economic fulfillment. Por la Creación and a number of other groups hope to rectify that discrepancy, through careful planning and improving on Congress' failures.

"We need energy development for our nation's energy independence," said Pastor Joseito Velasquez from Healing Waters Family Center in Denver, Colo. "But we also need to protect wildlife and other aspects of God's creation in our public lands. We can do both."

Por la Creación Faith-based Alliance is the first group of its nature to include Latino congregations, and it seeks to educate Latinos about taking on an active role in the protection of natural resources and supporting public lands. Most importantly, they want to advocate for the conservation of God's most precious creation: the earth.