Challenge and Barriers to Bi-national Civic Engagement: Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Communities in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands face unique water-related challenges shaped by a complex web of environmental, political, and cultural factors. Bi-national partnerships are essential for creating sustainable water management solutions. However, a "one size fits all" approach is not feasible, as water needs and governance structures vary significantly across the border region. This project highlights the lived experiences of borderland communities, emphasizing the need for local knowledge and historical context in water decision-making. We discuss the barriers to civic engagement, including community members' lack of confidence and training to engage with civic leaders and the inaccessibility of water science, which complicates the development of effective, community-driven solutions.

Our approach integrates community-based participatory research (CBPR) and citizen science to empower local communities through storytelling, data collection, and analysis. By fostering long-term, trust-based partnerships with communities in La Paz, Baja, and Hermosillo, Sonora, we aim to create a model for inclusive, sustainable water governance. The University of Arizona's close proximity to the border provides a unique opportunity to engage students in interdisciplinary service-learning projects that bridge the gap between scientific research and community action. Our project also aims to develop open-access educational modules, frameworks, and a living archive, leveraging student involvement in data collection, analysis, and communication to ensure that water governance solutions are grounded in community values and needs.

In collaboration with faculty and community leaders, we aim to build community capacity, enhance student learning, and promote lasting partnerships through service-learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of accessible data and resources for advocacy. Our lessons learned and best practices discussion will contribute to a broader understanding of how to support bi-national civic engagement, providing a framework for future projects aimed at environmental sustainability in the borderlands.