Posts in News

Photo ©Rebecca L. Latson

"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

Boot Canyon in the Chisos Mountains by Raymond Skiles

Wild Idea Media | New Wilderness Directives, Congress Approves $2 Billion for Parks, Former Big Bend Supervisors Fight Border Wall

This week on The Wild Line, we’re tracking new federal directives reshaping wilderness management for climbing anchors and livestock grazing, a bipartisan bill that would restore nearly $2 billion[…]

Big Bend Entrance Sign. NPS File photo.

National Parks Traveler | Congressional Democrats Express Opposition To Waivers Issued For Big Bend Border Wall

In a letter sent to Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin on June 16, Congressional Democrats expressed strong opposition to the agency’s recent decision to issue waivers[…]

A view of the Rio Grande from the Boquillas Canyon Trail in Big Bend National Park. Hannah Gentiles / Marfa Public Radio

Marfa Public Radio | Trump administration will bypass environmental laws for border project in Big Bend National Park

The Trump administration is once again bypassing federal environmental laws to speed up work on border barriers and related infrastructure in the Big Bend region of West Texas, this[…]

Looking north from the canyon at Big Bend National Park. Photo by Rebecca Latson.

Deseret News | Ex-superintendents urge Homeland Security not to build through Big Bend National Park

Since February, there’s been uncertainty about whether the Department of Homeland Security would build a wall through stretches of the Big Bend region of West Texas.

Homeland Security Secretary Mullin is being urged to scale back construction plans that could lead to "unaccountable destruction" of Big Bend National Park/Rebecca Latson file.

National Parks Traveler | Former Big Bend National Park Officials Urge Homeland Security Secretary Not To Allow “Wholesale And Unaccountable Destruction” Of The Park

Former Big Bend National Park officials, whose first letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin asking that he not waive environmental regulations to allow construction of a border wall[…]

The park does not have a congressional representative, as it’s part of Texas’ 23rd District, which is currently vacant. Jon G. Fuller / VWPics/VWPics via AP Images

NOTUS | Trump Made It Easier to Build a Wall Through Big Bend

The Trump administration is rolling back environmental protections that would allow it to quickly construct a physical barrier across Big Bend National Park.

The Rio Grande, in the Santa Elena canyon on 11 April 2026 in Big Bend national park, Texas. Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

The Guardian | ‘It’s massive destruction’: outcry in Texas over waivers to allow border wall in Big Bend national park

The Trump administration has waived a slew of environmental and historical preservation laws that would allow it to build a towering border wall that cuts through Big Bend national[…]

Inside Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. (Wikicommons)

Public Domain | Waivers Allow Border Security Construction In Big Bend National Park

The Trump administration has waived a slew of environmental and historical preservation laws that would allow it to build a towering border wall that cuts through Big Bend national[…]

Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park, Texas

Our Public Lands and Waters | Feds Waive 31 Environmental and Resource Protection Laws to Blast Barriers and Bulldoze Roads in Big Bend National Park

“This decision will be remembered by generations of Texans—and all Americans—as a waste of our money and an assault on not just our iconic desert but on the values[…]

A lawsuit against DHS has been amended to challenge the waiver of dozens of environmental laws to make way for a border wall in Big Bend / Rebecca Latson.

National Parks Traveler | Groups Amend Lawsuit To Challenge Waiver Of Environmental Laws For Big Bend Border Wall

On Tuesday the Department of Homeland Security waived dozens of environmental laws to authorize construction of border barriers and roads through Big Bend, marking the first time in U.S. history that the[…]

1 4 5 6 7 8 13

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