KEEP BIG BEND WILD is a collaborative effort by people who share a common appreciation of Big Bend National Park and who want to ensure that the wild character of Big Bend will continue and thrive. Some are locals. Some are retirees from the National Park Service at Big Bend and other parks. Others know Big Bend well as visitors or have volunteered at Big Bend. By and large, all of them have returned to Big Bend repeatedly because they care deeply about the future of the park.
KEEP BIG BEND WILD recognizes that the undeveloped areas of the park that were recommended for wilderness protection more that forty years ago are currently being managed to protect their wild values. However, we realize that these areas are vulnerable to development pressure until Congress formally admits them into the national wilderness system – something only Congress can do. At the same time, we appreciate the camping and lodging and river trip options and amenities that allow a visit to Big Bend National Park to truly be an accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits.
KEEP BIG BEND WILD has put together this website to explain to other Big Bend enthusiasts and the general public just why it is a good idea to pursue wilderness designation for suitable areas of Big Bend National Park now. We hope that this website will answer questions about what wilderness designation would protect and what it would allow to continue at the park.
We also hope that this website will assure you that your favorite place or activity currently allowed at Big Bend would still be open to you if wilderness were designated – whether it is your favorite campground, or your favorite unpaved road, or your favorite cross-desert hike.
If you have questions or concerns that this website does not answer, please go to the Contact Us section of the website and send us an e-mail.
KEEP BIG BEND WILD Core Team Members
Mr. Frank Buono (Sierra Vista, AZ)
National Park Service (Retired)
Ms. Cary DuPuy (Austin, TX)
Texas Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association
Mr. Rick Harris (Santa Teresa, NM)
Board Member / Treasurer, The George Wright Society
Associate Regional Director, Science & Natural Resources, NPS (Retired)
Ms. Loren Riemer (Austin, TX)
Executive Director, Big Bend Conservancy
Mr. Roger Siglin (formerly of Alpine, TX)
Superintendent, Gates of the Arctic National Park (Retired)
Mr. Raymond Skiles (Alpine, TX)
Wildlife & Wilderness Coordinator, Big Bend National Park (Retired)
Mr. Joe Tooley (Rockwall, TX)
Attorney; Member, Texas Police Chiefs Association & Former Big Bend
Conservancy Board Member
Do You Support KEEPING BIG BEND WILD? Would you like to add your name to our list of supporters? If so, please go to the Contact Us section of the website and send us an e-mail.
Let’s keep Big Bend wild.
Copyright: 2021-2023 keepbigbendwild.org is copyrighted by Rick LoBello. No content on this site can be used without permission.
Keep Big Bend Wild 