Border Institute X
March 8-10, 2010

Agenda  |  Papers and Presentations |  List of Participants

What: Border Institute X (BI-X) “The U.S.-Mexican Border and a Sustainable Environment in 2030,” presented by the Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP) in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mexico’s Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), the Border Trade Alliance, and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce.

Where: The Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico, Arizona, is the meeting venue. Spouses and/or partners are welcome. Although participants will be busy with the work of the Institute, there will be evening social functions to which guests are invited. The Esplendor Resort also has many excellent activities and facilities.

Why: BI-X will convene border stakeholders and challenge the group to evaluate changes in border environmental quality over the past decade and to suggest policies and actions for a road map for a sustainable region in 2030.

How: BI-X will assemble a diverse group of stakeholders from the border region, including members and staff from federal, tribal, state, and local governments; border subject experts and business representatives; decision makers, leaders, and planners from border communities; and others. BI- X will be limited to 100 participants to facilitate the active participation by all those present. Simultaneous interpretation services will be provided. 

History: The meeting is the tenth in an ongoing popular and successful series of think tank-style policy conferences:

• BI-I identified economic and demographic trends and addressed the impacts of these trends on sustainability
• BI-II integrated natural capitalism and green accounting in determining new financing mechanisms for environmental infrastructure for the border region
• BI-III sparked an informed discussion about binational cooperation for secure and sustainable energy
• BI-IV explored the steps necessary for development of an integrated binational water planning effort
• BI-V developed binational indicators of environmental quality, human health, and program success
• BI-VI highlighted the complexity and importance of preserving ecosystem services across the border
• BI-VII identified optimal returns on investments from various air quality management strategies
• BI-VIII identified transboundary management strategies for the border region’s watersheds
• BI-IX addressed the interwoven concerns of security, development, and environment

Additional Information: We request that all participants commit to attending the entire workshop. The outcome and success of the meetings will depend on the active participation and ideas of the attendees. To that end, a week or so before the meeting, registered participants will be provided with background briefing white papers. Authors at BI-X will present short summaries of their white papers, leaving sufficient time for discussion. At BI-X, not only will each panel have adequate time allotted for discussion, but the final portion of the program will divide the participants into small working groups to develop specific ideas and recommendations.

The workshop registration fee is $200 per person and includes most meals, refreshments, and conference materials. Payment can be made by check payable to the “San Diego State University Research Foundation” and mailed to the Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, AL 377, San Diego, CA 92182-6039. Alternatively, registration fees can be paid with a purchase order and, if need be, we will be happy to send an invoice. Cash or check will also be accepted at the conference.



We look forward to seeing you in Rio Rico.