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What is Keep Big Bend Wild?
KEEP BIG BEND WILD is a collaborative effort by people who share a common appreciation of Big Bend National Park and who want to ensure that the wild character of Big Bend will continue and thrive.
Some are locals. Some are retirees from the National Park Service at Big Bend and other parks. Others know Big Bend well as visitors or have volunteered at Big Bend. By and large, all of them have returned to Big Bend repeatedly because they care deeply about the future of the park.

What is Wilderness?
The Wilderness Act, signed by President Johnson in 1964, formally protects certain areas of federally-owned land, like Big Bend National Park, from development, ensuring future generations have an opportunity to experience their undiminished natural grandeur.
In 1978, the National Park Service (NPS) recommended that Congress permanently protect more than 4/5 of the park’s area as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Only Congress can make those protections permanent, and they have yet to do so. In the absence of law, NPS national policy has mandated that park managers preserve the wilderness values of Big Bend until Congress acts. But the protections we take for granted, and those policies, are not as permanent as we may think.
By designating wilderness for currently undeveloped areas of the Park, Congress and the American people would make a commitment to keep those areas undeveloped forever.
Who Are We?
A grass-roots citizen group came together in 2021 to revive the effort toward Big Bend National Park wilderness designation. Known as Keep Big Bend Wild, this effort, in collaboration with park managers, is again raising the issue among those who use, care for, and love the Park.
Keep Big Bend Wild’s Goals
Since the inception of Big Bend National Park on June 12, 1944, for 75+ years the National Park Service has been dedicated to preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of Big Bend National Park in perpetuity for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of living and future generations.
Preserve
To preserve in perpetuity the wild nature of Big Bend National Park in its currently undeveloped areas for the public benefit and the benefit of natural communities
Maintain
To maintain appropriate visitor amenities and administrative support facilities in currently developed areas of Big Bend National Park and focus the development of any needed future infrastructure there or in neighboring communities
Provide
To provide outstanding memorable opportunities for public recreation, education, and inspiration at Big Bend National Park
Ensure
To ensure that Big Bend National Park continues to foster economic opportunities for local communities and businesses that rely upon visitors having positive park experiences
Collaborate
To cooperate and collaborate with surrounding neighbors, organizations, and educational institutions, with local and state agencies, and with a supportive public in protecting the wild Big Bend experience for the enrichment of people and nature
Access
To continue to maintain visitor access to developed and undeveloped areas of the park and the Rio Grande River via all existing trails, paved and unpaved public roads, and the river itself –and to satisfy future transportation needs within the context of protecting currently wild undeveloped areas of the park
How Can You Help?
Wilderness ares have been designated by almost every Congress and almost every president since LBJ’s time, under both Republican and Democratic Leadership. Wilderness areas have been designated in every congress and by every president since LBJ’s time. And nothing gets the attention of elected officials quite like their voters. Keep Big Bend Wild is actively engaged with key members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, who see the value in protecting Texas’ gift to the nation. We know they are particularly interested in seeing that citizens, organizations, small businesses, and corporations from all over Texas are joining this effort.
If you’d like to help, just click the button to add your name to growing list of individuals and businesses supporting a wilderness designation for Big Bend National Park. You can also donate to help us offset costs for events, mailers and even this site. Let your friends and associates know what you’re supporting, and why it’s important to Texas’ future. You can also contact your Congressional Representatives and Senators and let them know you support wilderness designation for permanent protection of Big Bend National Park.
Photo Credit Evelyn Merz
Recent News and Updates

Keep Big Bend Wild Event Set
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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 302 | Omnibus Lands Bill
Keep Big Bend Wild’s Bob Krumenaker discusses pending legislation in an[…]

Making Big Bend National Park Wild
This podcast episode from the Nature and Science Podcast will explore[…]
Support Keep Big Bend Wild
Click this button to add your name to the growing list of individuals, businesses, and organizations supporting a wilderness designation for the undeveloped lands of Big Bend National Park.
If you would also be willing to help support Keep Big Bend Wild financially please click Donate.
Every contribution helps defray the cost of our volunteers to produce materials and travel to meetings to build awareness and strengthen our coalition.
Contributions are managed at no cost to Keep Big Bend Wild by the Big Bend Conservancy and are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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