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.


KEEP BIG BEND WILD recognizes that the undeveloped areas of the park that were recommended for wilderness protection more that forty years ago are currently being managed to protect their wild values. However, we realize that these areas are vulnerable to development pressure until Congress formally admits them into the national wilderness system – something only Congress can do. At the same time, we appreciate the camping and lodging and river trip options and amenities that allow a visit to Big Bend National Park to truly be an accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits.
KEEP BIG BEND WILD has put together this website to explain to other Big Bend enthusiasts and the general public just why it is a good idea to pursue wilderness designation for suitable areas of Big Bend National Park now. We hope that this website will answer questions about what wilderness designation would protect and what it would allow to continue at the park.

Core Team Members
Mr. Frank Buono (Sierra Vista, AZ)
National Park Service (Retired)
Ms. Cary DuPuy (Austin, TX)
Regional Director (Texas), National Parks Conservation Assocation
Mr. Rick Harris (Santa Teresa, NM)
Associate Regional Director, Science & Natural Resources, NPS (Retired)
Mr. Trey Hermann (Fredericksburg, TX)
Creative Director, Deogram Design
Mr. Bob Krumenaker (Carlsbad, NM)
Superintendent, Big Bend National Park (Retired)
Ms. Evelyn L. Merz (Houston, TX)
Coastal Prairie Manager and Restorationist
Ms. Loren Riemer (Austin, TX)
Executive Director, Big Bend Conservancy
Mr. Raymond Skiles (Alpine, TX)
Wildlife & Wilderness Coordinator, Big Bend National Park (Retired)
Mr. Joe Tooley (Rockwall, TX)
Attorney; Member, Texas Police Chiefs Association
& Former Big Bend Conservancy Board Member
Emeritus Team Members
Mr. Roger Siglin (formerly of Alpine, TX)
Superintendent, Gates of the Arctic National Park (Retired)
Former Park Ranger, Big Bend National Park
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.
© 2025 Keep Big Bend Wild.
Layout by Jess Repanshek and Kubio.