A new photo exhibit on Capitol Hill emphasizes the potential impacts a contiguous wall along our southern border would have on communities and wildlife. The exhibit will feature photography from nine photographers, including Krista Schlyer, an award-winning photographer and writer whose work focuses on conservation, biodiversity and public lands. In 2012, Schlyer published a book called “Continental Divide: Wildlife, People and the Border Wall” which depicts the visual beauty of wildlife, ecology and people of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.
A coalition of groups sponsoring the exhibit including Defenders of Wildlife, Animal Welfare Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, and Sierra Club issued this statement:
“The 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border passes through stunning and biologically diverse landscapes and human communities. Together, the United States and Mexico have long labored to protect these landscapes and their wildlife. Construction of additional walls along the border would irreparably damage this rich natural legacy and forever split important wildlife corridors and borderland communities.
“The wildlife and wild lands of our borderlands region are some of the most spectacular our nation has to offer. These photographs truly capture that splendor. Hopefully these images will help members of Congress understand the irreversible damage that would be inflicted on these fragile areas from an impenetrable wall.”
Members of the media are invited to tour the exhibit with photographer Krista Schlyer. To schedule time with Krista, contact Rebecca Bullis (rbullis@defenders.org or 202-772-0295).
For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.
