Environmental Justice, Just Transition

EJ Movement Elders Meet in New Mexico to Share Stories and to Celebrate a Special Birthday!

June 21, 2026June 23, 2026By
EJ Movement Elders Meet in New Mexico to Share Stories and to Celebrate a Special Birthday!

A beautiful gathering of environmental justice movement elders and younger generations gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as part of Richard Moore’s 80th birthday celebration, June 2026. Image credit: Angélica Salazar

In mid-June, José Bravo reunited with several environmental justice elders, who were part of the 1991 First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit. These revered figures met in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to share their movement experiences and to celebrate JTA board member Richard Moore’s 80th circle around the sun!

Richard has been integral in imagining and building the just transition movement. He currently is the program director for Los Jardines Institute (LJI). The Albuquerque-based organization is a member of the Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform. Through this alliance, LJI advocates for stronger, safer, and just chemical policies. JTA admires the LJI’s work and considers the organization a close ally.

As a widely respected national leader in environmental justice, Richard has served on numerous government and non-governmental committees and panels, including the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), the National Council of Churches EcoJustice Task Force, and the Congressional Black Caucus National Environmental Policy Commission. He served as the Executive Director of Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (Southwest Network) from 1993 to 2010. Richard came to Southwest Network after 12 years with the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), where he was the lead organizer and primary trainer of SWOP’s organizing model. He received the 2005 Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World Award.

 A panel of environmental justice elders reunited in Albuquerque to celebrate the birthday of Richard Moore (left in red shirt), June 2026. Image credit: Sabina Borbon

JTA expresses profound gratitude for all that Richard and other movement elders have contributed to the EJ movement. They have made and continue to make our paths toward EJ possible, and they teach us so much each day.

Thank you, and happy birthday, Richard!