A BORDER FENCE PROPOSAL

Introduction
The primary goal of the Border Fence Proposal, as with all The Good Tern Foundation proposals, is to create a portal through which individuals can be introduced to the natural world. In the process, we hope to learn better ways to educate and actively engage people to become stewards of a sustainable environment.

The Event
The "Border Fence" project will consist of a symposium and an art exhibit. The symposium participants will include participating artists, scientists (natural, social & cultural), interested community members, representatives of state and federal agencies, elected officials, and scholars in related humanities, law, and policy studies. The art exhibit will contain one or more of the following: traditional two-dimensional works, sculpture, performance art, and ecological art. Both presenters and artists will be encouraged to include hands-on exhibits or field experiences. Outreach and follow-up activities should include one or more of the following: web site, symposium monograph, book, or CD.

The Partners
The Good Tern Foundation will be responsible for enlisting six to ten artists and, after consultation with the other partners regarding format and content of the symposium, appropriate cultural and art historians, social scientists, and economists. The Foundation will also participate in finding funding for the project.
Partners will be responsible for enlisting the participation of appropriate individuals to complement the content of the art exhibit and symposium, as well as local community outreach specialists and state and federal natural resource agency representatives. They will also be responsible for finding local venue(s) and will work with The Good Tern Foundation in identifying potential funding sources.
Enabling Partners, such as national, state, or regional organizations, foundations, and providers of in-kind services, will assist in providing publicity, lodging, and transportation.

The Place
The exact location of the "Border Fence" project will be on or near the United States/Mexico border at one or more locations where the fence will critically affect access to water, interrupt seasonal migration, or affect populations by dividing them, reducing the gene pool and therefore the area's biodiversity.

The Time
The "Border Fence" project timing is sensitive to the schedule of fence construction and any public hearings that may be related to that construction. Given that the objective of this event is to ameliorate the negative effects of the fence, the project needs to begin in an area before construction - portraying animals, people, and habitat in both an historical perspective and as change occurs.

Draft Budget
U.S./Mexico Border Wall

SECONDARY SOURCES:

JUAN A. LOZANO, “Border Security Council told fence won't protect Texas” The Associated Press, Oct. 1, 2007

Ryan Holeywell, “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the border”, McAllen Monitor, July 15th, 2007.

Margaret Downing, Border Fence May Destroy Wildlife Habitat, Houston press, May 31, 2007

Tyche Hendricks, “Study: Price for border fence up to $49 billion.” San Francisco Chronicle, January 8, 2007.

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