Continental Divide Photographic Exhibit Debuts in Las Cruces

On loan from the International League of Conservation Photographers, the 30 photograph exhibit entitled "Continental Divide: Borderlands, Wildlife, People and the WALL," shows the diversity of wildlife, cultures and communities that exists in the fragile borderlands, but is now jeopardized by the 630 miles of pedestrian and vehicle fencing dividing the U.S. from Mexico.

The border wall has drawn heavy criticism from conservation organizations including the Southwest Environmental Center, Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club, civil rights groups, private landowners, tribes and communities along the border for reasons as varied as habitat destruction, infringement on property rights, and damage to historic and cultural sites.

Documenting the region’s wildlife and ecology, the photographs were taken earlier this year by world-renowned ILCP photographers who had visited the borderlands along with a team of writers, filmmakers and scientists to highlight the effects of the wall.

“We hope the exhibit will provide viewers with a more intimate connection to the people and wildlife of the borderlands,” says Krista Schlyer, ILCP exhibit coordinator and expedition leader. “The photographers involved in the expedition saw first hand the damage that border wall and other infrastructure are doing to borderlands communities.”

The images in this exhibit were taken primarily during a three and a half week expedition along the 2000-mile border between the United States and Mexico. The expedition included 13 photographers who documented a diverse range of borderlands flora, fauna and cultures. The purpose of the expedition was to highlight an area that is very little known by the general public, aside from news reports on illegal activity. In fact the borderlands region is one rich in history, biological diversity, and cultural heritage.

The exhibit is cosponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies at New Mexico State University, and City of Artists Promotional Association. It will be on display until July 15. The public is invited to an opening reception on Friday, June 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Cottonwood Gallery, with guest speakers.