"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
National Parks Traveler | Trump Administration Waives Environmental Laws To Allow Border Wall In Big Bend National Park
Months of waffling over how it might construct a border wall through Big Bend National Park took on some clarity Monday when the Department of Homeland Security waived all[…]
Our Public Lands and Waters | Feds Waive 31 Environmental and Resource Protection Laws to Blast Barriers and Bulldoze Roads in Big Bend National Park
After many, many months of inconsistent messaging, a complete lack of communication, and massive public confusion about Homeland Security’s plans for a border wall in Big Bend National Park[…]
Marfa Public Radio | Former Big Bend National Park superintendents express ‘grave concerns’ about Trump administration’s border plans
Article Updated - Six former superintendents of Big Bend National Park are expressing “grave concerns” with the Trump administration’s plan for new border barriers, roads and surveillance technology in[…]
Washington Post | Spike in border wall spending goes mostly to 2 firms with GOP, White House ties
The Trump administration has sharply accelerated spending on border wall construction, issuing billion-dollar contracts that are the largest in the project’s history and potentially putting the president on track[…]
A Billion Worlds | Trump’s Vandalism of Our National Parks and Public Lands
It may seem a bit strange to place Donald Trump in the company of late 18th century fanatical French revolutionaries, but his continued destruction of our national parks earns[…]
Big Bend Sentinel | Former National Park superintendents ask DHS not to waive laws for border wall construction
Seven former superintendents of Big Bend National Park penned a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin last week imploring the federal government not to waive[…]
Marfa Public Radio | Confused about Big Bend area border wall plans? Here’s where things stand.
Since news first surfaced late last year that border walls could be built for the first time in the Big Bend region of West Texas, the story has been[…]
NPR | In West Texas, an unlikely alliance stands against extending the border wall
On a quiet spring morning, Joe Pineda drives across his land near the Rio Grande, pointing out where he runs cattle and grows alfalfa and the family cemetery that[…]
Wamu.org | What the Trump administration is building in Big Bend
Is the Trump administration building a segment of the border wall in Big Bend National Park? That’s the question that’s at the heart of a public debate in West[…]
Chron | Former Big Bend leaders warn border plans could forever alter national park
Originally posted May 22, 2026 Former leaders of Big Bend National Park are urging the Trump administration to abandon border infrastructure projects they warn could permanently damage one of Texas’ most iconic landscapes. In a[…]
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.
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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.
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Images © Rebecca Latson.
Keep Big Bend Wild
P.O. Box 66
Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834