"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
Outside | The Trump Administration Just Waived Dozens of Protections in Big Bend. Former Park Leaders Are Sounding the Alarm.
Originally posted June 17, 2026 Lawmakers and former leaders of Big Bend National Park are sounding the alarm after the Trump administration recently waived dozens of environmental and historic protections. The groups[…]
National Parks Traveler | Wilderness Lost
Across the United States, from Alaska to Puerto Rico, there are about 112 million acres of officially designated wilderness. That amounts to about 5 percent of the country’s land[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
National Parks Traveler | The Emasculation Of The National Park Service
With the stroke of his pen, or a few taps on his keyboard, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin emasculated the National Park Service. By waiving a long list of environmental[…]
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[…]
All TX Dems in Congress Write to DHS Sec’y Opposing Big Bend Wall
Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett organized a letter sent to new DHS Secretary Mullin on March 27,2026, co-signed by all Texas Democrats in Congress, the Ranking Member of the House[…]
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[…]
Center for Biological Diversity | Congress Urged to Block Border Wall Construction Through Texas’ Big Bend Parks
More than 130 conservation groups, outfitters and rural Texas businesses urged Congress today to block federal funding for border wall construction in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend[…]
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.
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Images © Rebecca Latson.
Keep Big Bend Wild
P.O. Box 66
Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834