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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

The Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park

Our Public Lands and Waters | Instead of a Border Wall, CBP Plans to Pave Backcountry Roads Along Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park

After severe and sustained bipartisan blowback—including from all Big Bend border sheriffs, all Texas border county judges, and countless furious locals—it appears that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)[…]

Clouds over Wright Peak at Big Bend National Park. Photo by Bob Krumenaker.

Washington Examiner | Trump’s top border official, Rodney Scott, unpacks wins and path forward

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has achieved a remarkable feat under President Donald Trump, locking down tens of billions of dollars in funding for the largest-ever expansion of border[…]

A photo of West Texas, where construction of a new border wall may push forward. Image: Isaac Saul

Trump is pushing a border wall in my backyard.

Originally posted on Tangle February 28, 2026 When I was 14 years old, I traveled to the Big Bend region of West Texas for the first time. My extended[…]

The River and The Wall

The River and The Wall Panel Discussion

Keep Big Bend Wild’s Bob Krumenaker will “bat cleanup” following a panel discussion about the impacts of the proposed Big Bend border wall, putting the wall, its impacts, and[…]

NYTimes Article

NYTimes | A border wall plan unites Republicans and Democrats in Texas

Originally posted at New York Times. Where the Rio Grande cuts steep cliffs through the arid West Texas mountains, dozens of spring break visitors on a canoe tour learned[…]

Texas judges pen letter to Homeland Security Secretary

Judges’ letter urging transparency and local partnership

A collection of Texas judges have penned a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin urging transparency and local partnership. We, the undersigned County Judges, representing 100% of[…]

Possible border wall impacts to Big Bend National Park

National Parks Traveler | Simulation Shows The On-The-Ground Impacts Of A Border Wall In Big Bend

An engineer’s simulation of the possible effects from a border wall proposed for Big Bend National Park by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency shows widespread impacts, from light pollution and[…]

Texas judges are calling on DHS to increase transparency around plans for border wall construction in Big Bend / Rebecca Latson.

National Parks Traveler | Texas Border County Judges Urge Transparency In Plans For Big Bend Border Wall

Elected county judges from every county along the Texas-Mexico border are calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to coordinate more closely with local officials as confusion continues[…]

An example of vehicle barriers previously installed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection near Presidio, Texas in 2019. Photo by Greg Davis / U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Marfa Public Radio | Big Bend National Park could see vehicle barriers, patrol roads under latest changes to border wall plans

The Trump administration is once again planning to install physical border barriers within Big Big National Park in West Texas, according to an updated map of “Smart Wall” projects that now[…]

Big Bend smart wall map

National Parks Traveler | Latest U.S. Customs And Border Protection Map Returns Border Wall To Big Bend

New mapping from U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates the agency has returned to planning for a physical border wall in parts of Big Bend National Park in Texas despite strong opposition from[…]

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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