In April of this year, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it will waive federal environmental laws to meet the goal of finishing 670 miles of border fence by the end of 2008. The waiver, which will allow the department to slash through a thicket of environmental and cultural laws, would be the most expansive to date, encompassing land in California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas that stretches about 470 miles. The waivers are highly controversial with environmentalists and border communities, which see them as a federal imposition that could damage the land and disrupt wildlife. The 2,000-mile long U.S./Mexico border region is considered an extraordinary source of biological diversity -- deserts, mangrove forests, plains, mountains, river valleys, and wetlands. Environmental groups say that the border fence will bring disaster for the biological diversity of the region by restricting the movement of wildlife and disturbing the unique and fragile ecology of the region. The border area is home to many endangered species of plants, birds and animals, such as owls, parrots, jaguars, wolves, bears, and lions, that often need to move around as an essential element of their survival.
One species that particularly caught my attention is the Jaguarundi, a not-often seen cat that is found in Mexico and the southwestern U.S., so I decided to include a jagarundi in this print.
12 comments:
It seems as humans, our presence alone is a hazard. But I do agree, most government decisions are short sighted and do not look to the long term enviroment and animal impact. I know, a conservative that agrees with you, crazy world!
I adore the shadow!
Celia
Absolutely great...and such an important and interesting subject...and the jaguar and it´s shadow gives a perfect and furthermore interesting visual angle to the whole...you´re just so good a this....a I follow every step with big interest...
Hi Daniel. Crazy world indeed -- on that too we can surely agree! Thanks Celia and Anita.
I loved it! The jaguar and its shadow is fantastic... and all map in the first impression! WOWWW!
Yes, yummy blue shadow. The Jags silouette (how do you spell that?) is a very compelling shape in your overall composition.
Another fantastic job, Annie. You are firing on all cylinders, as they say. Our xenophobia knows no limits and cares not for anything other than the fear it can instill. Unless, of course, it is also its diversionary aspect, and how well that works to keep our focus off of the really important issues.
I love that cat and his shadow!
I love all of this AND the shadows. I could tell that you had to know the area and it's light from personal experience. You are getting that across as well as the larger message. It all adds up - just as the accumulated images of each block add up.
Thank you so much! I think the elusive jaguarundi is happy to be so well received.
Nice Print.
There is a organization that Harrison Ford belongs (helped create) to, that is mainly 3 guys, are buying land up in migratory areas(majority in central and south America) to be preserves so the animals can migrate as they do not know political boundaries. They started this as they have the funds and can work more efficiently as a separate entity.
Thanks for that info, Claudia. Looks like it's called Conservation International.
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