The focus of this program is fairly basic: simply increase the communication between neighbors. Fenceline Friends is a coalition of fenceline neighbors who draw from each others' experiences and help each other to attain local and statewide environmental health and justice goals.

We know that neighbors can gain greatly from such interaction. "It is an enormous help just to meet people," said John Koeferel of New Orleans' Holy Cross Neighborhood, who has been battling Army Corps of Engineers' canal expansion projects for years.

In April of 2007, with the support of the Public Welfare Foundation, the Environmental Support Center, the Norman Foundation, and others, we hosted the first ever Fenceline Neighbors Power Conference. The conference brought together 30 fenceline neighbors from 11 different communities. Read More about the activities of the network.