03/22/2026
Like many of you, we’ve been closely watching the federal planning process for border infrastructure in the Big Bend region. Plans have shifted repeatedly, and a physical wall was shown through Big Bend National Park on federal maps in February, then quietly removed in early March, while portions of Big Bend Ranch State Park remain marked for construction. Contractors are active in the area and contracts are expected to be awarded later this year, so the situation bears watching.
Any significant construction in this region meaning roads, lighting, barriers, or heavy personnel presence, would affect the wild character, dark skies, and public land access that make Big Bend special. The Hot Springs, Hoodoos Trail, and Rio Grande access that bring visitors from around the world are irreplaceable.
This isn’t about the politics of border security, it’s about conservation. The region’s rugged canyons, vast desert, and sheer remoteness already form one of the most formidable natural barriers on the continent, and it’s that same raw wilderness that makes this place worth protecting.
The Summit at Big Bend stands with the Brewster County Commissioners Court, local ranchers, business owners, conservationists, and community members (the full spectrum of people who call this place home or depend on it ) in calling for solutions that protect the land, visitor experience, and long-term economic health of our community.
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