Dear Friend,

NPCA continues to actively oppose the proposed border wall infrastructure in the Big Bend region that would wreak havoc on the iconic and inspirational landscapes and national park sites along the Rio Grande, as well as have significant impacts on the communities along the river. There continues to be active work and contracts implemented to advance border wall and related infrastructure construction in the region – including around Big Bend National Park, the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River and Amistad National Recreation Area.

Just last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced at least 29 environmental and historic preservation rules were waived for construction (PDF) along the Rio Grande, and a $1.7 billion contract was issued for border security construction in Big Bend National Park. Any wall construction or physical infrastructure built in the landscapes and the communities next to these parks can have significant impacts to these special places from impacting wildlife migration, outdoor recreation and tourism, dark skies and so much more.

In April, NPCA staff and local volunteers traveled to Washington, DC to meet with the U.S. Representatives and Senators in opposition to the proposed border wall in the region, and shared the impacts that could occur on the ground. During this National Park Advocacy Week, NPCA volunteers also advocated for a strong annual budget and sufficient staffing for our national parks across the country.

The Congressional meetings reinforced the fact that the news being heard outside the region is very different that what is actually happening on the ground. Congressional staffers believed that everything had been resolved – the landowner volunteers from Big Bend provided the real updates and urged them to reach out for on the ground updates and to push for transparency in process. NPCA also took part in a press conference with Representatives Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Greg Casar (TX-35), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Al Green (TX-09), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and other environmental groups and a landowner from the Big Bend region.

Across the state, NPCA is supporting border forums to highlight the impacts of the proposed border wall and how park lovers can get involved in protecting our national parks. On May 14th, NPCA partnered with the San Antonio River Foundation, River Aid San Antonio, Latino Outdoors, Big Bend Conservation Alliance and Keep Big Bend Wild to host a screening of “The River and the Wall” and a panel discussion on the impacts of the border wall along the Rio Grande.

We still need you to speak up for Big Bend. Reach out to your Congressional Representative and Governor Greg Abbott and call for a border security solution that does not destroy the natural and cultural resources in and around our national parks.

Hold the date on your calendar – June 12, 2026 is Big Bend’s birthday. We’ll be celebrating this park that was Texas’ gift to the nation with an opportunity to learn more about how you can protect the first national park in Texas. More details coming soon.

We would like to get to know our members and supporters in the region better. Let’s grab coffee or have a chat on the phone. Let us know what you love about our national parks and how you might want to engage more with NPCA in protecting these iconic and inspirational places across the country.

If you are interested in learning more about NPCA’s work in Texas and Oklahoma, or want to connect more in person in support of our national parks across the country, please reach out to me at 214.433.0261 or [email protected].

With greatest gratitude,

Cary Dupuy
Regional Director, Texas / Oklahoma Region