The objective of this article is twofold: first, to describe a pedagogical objective linking planning and policy concepts to the study of borderlands issues; second, to discuss the institutional framework of environmental planning at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Border 2012 program is used as a benchmark to discuss policy objectives, challenges and the shortcomings of cross-border environmental planning. The methodology followed is a program evaluation related to institutional design. The main conclusion is that environmental policy at the border has overlooked land use planning as an important tool for achieving environmental goals as set out by Border 2012. It is important to incorporate a mechanism that will allow better intergovernmental coordination and cooperation in land use planning policy.