Salineño is located on the border between Mexico and America on the Rio Grande River. It’s one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America. People come from all over the world to see rare birds that are only here because of the very special habitat that we’re able to protect. Unfortunately, a new proposal for 20 miles of border wall threatened to cut directly through Salineño and our habitat. I knew that I had to take action, so I immediately began organizing a coalition not only of the citizens of Salineño but also environmental groups across the Rio Grande Valley, and ultimately we were successful in our efforts to protect this amazing environment.
Today, that coalition makes up the Friends of Salineño, a group that’s dedicated to preserving, restoring, and protecting the habitat along the Rio Grande. For many of our volunteers doing this work has changed the way they see themselves. They realize the impact they can have to make change for generations to come.