"I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition"
I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition in their mission to secure official Wilderness designation for Big Bend National Park's untouched backcountry. This fight isn't new—the National Park Service first championed it in 1974, during my tenure as Director, and reaffirmed the call in 1978. Now, it's time for Congress to act. By enshrining permanent, statutory protection, we can ensure Big Bend’s breathtaking landscapes remain shielded from policy shifts or development threats. It's heartening to see the backing of former NPS Directors, united in our commitment to safeguarding America's wilderness legacy so future generations can continue to embrace its solitude, beauty, and ecological richness."
~ Ronald H. Walker, NPS Director 1973-1975
When KBBW Goes on the Road, We Connect with More Supporters
The Keep Big Bend Wild (KBBW) team enjoys traveling and is always looking for opportunities to share our important story. It’s energizing for us, and it always results in[…]
Wilderness, The Last Frontier
Though it’s not assured of success, there’s an effort under way to see nearly 720,000 acres in Big Bend National Park in Texas designated as wilderness. While the park[…]
Keep Big Bend Wild Aims to Preserve the Park’s Wilderness Amidst Rising Visitor Numbers
Keep Big Bend Wild describes itself as a collaborative effort by people who share an appreciation of Big Bend National Park and want to ensure that its wild character[…]
Keep Big Bend Wild Event Set
Sibley Nature Center is hosting former national park superintendent Bob Krumenaker to talk about the grassroots effort Keep Big Bend Wild (KBBW) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Jan.[…]
Keep Big Bend Wild Wins National Park Service Wilderness Award
WASHINGTON, DC – For their contributions to rejuvenate wilderness designation efforts at Big Bend National Park, a grassroots group of citizens known as “Keep Big Bend Wild” is the[…]
EDITORIAL: Happy Birthday, Big Bend. Stay Wild Forever.
On the last day of August 1894, a young U.S. customs inspector named Everett E. Townsend was tracking stolen mules in trans-Pecos Texas. The mules and their rustlers led[…]
Alpine City Council supports Keep Big Bend Wild
A resolution of the city council of the city of Alpine, Texas supporting the wilderness designation for undeveloped areas of Big Bend National Park.
Marfa Public Radio | In Far West Texas, conservationists revive a decades-old push for a Big Bend “wilderness” designation
At a popular overlook in Big Bend National Park, the park’s superintendent Bob Krumenaker gazed at a sweeping view of mountains and miles of desert lowlands. “The Window is[…]
Texas Highways | Texas Conservationists Want to Keep the ‘Wilderness’ in Big Bend National Park
Originally posted on Texas Highways April 11, 2020. Ask fans of Big Bend National Park about their favorite qualities of the rugged West Texas expanse, and you’ll get a[…]
Texas Monthly | The “Keep Big Bend Wild” Effort Aims to Forever Protect Texas’s First National Park
Originally posted on Texas Monthly March 17,2022. A record 581,000 travelers visited Big Bend National Park last year. Tourists are drawn to this prickly desert paradise in far West[…]
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 supporting Keep Big Bend Wild are managed by the El Paso Community Foundation and are tax deductible as allowed by law.
© 2026 Keep Big Bend Wild.
Layout by Jess Repanshek and Kubio.
Images © Rebecca Latson.
Keep Big Bend Wild
P.O. Box 66
Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834