"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 Texas Tribune | Cornered by Big Bend backlash, Texas Republicans tread carefully around Trump
For over a generation, Texas Republicans have owned the politics of the southern border. Now the Trump administration’s latest border project has them cornered, stuck between constituents outraged over federal[…]
Public Domain | Trump Administration Halts Border Work In Big Bend National Park As Outrage Grows
Originally posted August 17, 2026 The Trump administration has paused all border barrier construction work at Big Bend National Park, after a flurry of videos showing bulldozers marring the[…]
The Hill | Texas state lawmakers urge Abbott to help stop CBP barrier construction in Big Bend National Park
Dozens of Texas lawmakers earlier this week urged Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to put a stop to the Trump administration’s plans to build border barrier installations at Big Bend National Park.
US Public Lands Threats Map
Construction activities began in August 2026 after federal environmental and cultural resource laws were waived for this project. Planned infrastructure includes border barriers, patrol roads, lighting, surveillance systems, and[…]
Our Public Lands and Waters | Watch Federal Contractors Destroy Big Bend National Park
As I reported on Wednesday, federal contractors from Southwest Valley Constructors have broken ground in Big Bend National Park for border barriers and new roads.
Protect NPS | Coalition Urges CBP to Minimize Border Barrier Construction and Keep Big Bend National Park Wild
The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition) is comprised of more than 5,000 members, all of whom are retired, former, or current National Park Service (NPS) employees or[…]
The Border Chronicle | Trump’s Border Wall Is Coming for Some of the Oldest Murals in North America
On June 3, the Department of Homeland Security awarded its largest upfront border wall contract to date to Fisher Sand & Gravel, a North Dakota company with a checkered[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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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