"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
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[…]
ProPublica | The Trump Administration Is Facing Scrutiny for How It’s Handing Out Billion-Dollar Border Wall Contracts
Originally posted May 21, 2026 A new lawsuit alleges the Trump administration awarded the bulk of new Texas border wall contracts to two firms without “genuine competitive opportunities.” One[…]
E&E News | Former NPS officials push back on Big Bend border plans
Former National Park Service officials are urging the Trump administration not to waive dozens of environmental laws as it looks to build new border barriers and roads in the[…]
Our Public Lands and Waters | “Border Wall in Big Bend Is Not Practical Or Strategic,” Five Texas Border Sheriffs Say In A Joint Statement
Plans for a wall on this part of the southern border have been discussed—and opposed—for years. Things became much more serious last February, however, when the Department of Homeland[…]
Texas Tribune | Big Bend border wall plans canceled for national park after backlash, Border Patrol commissioner says
Originally posted at The Texas Tribune May 8, 2026. Keep Big Bend Wild is dismayed by this headline, as this fight is not over. Plans to build portions of[…]
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[…]
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[…]
Our Public Lands and Waters | Smart Wall Map
Today, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has once again updated its now-infamous “Smart Wall Map.” And yes, the border barrier is back in Big Bend National Park. If anyone[…]
Our Public Lands Podcast | #72 – Halting the Big Bend Border Wall w/ Bob Krumenaker
On Episode 72 of the Our Public Lands Podcast, Bob Krumenaker, retired Big Bend National Park superintendent, discusses the recently proposed Big Bend border wall and its implications.
National Parks Traveler | Groups Urge Congress To Reject Funding For Big Bend Border Wall
More than 100 groups have urged Congress to reject any funding that would allow for a border wall to be built through Big Bend National Park or Big Bend[…]
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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.
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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