ABOUT US
Big Bend Conservancy's mission is to preserve, enrich, and conserve the unique resources of Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River through philanthropic efforts and in partnership with the National Park Service.
Our History
By 1995, longtime Big Bend visitors Lori Palmer and Russ Jewert realized that, unlike many other national parks, Big Bend had no dedicated Friends group. After meeting with park staff in 1996, they helped rally a small group of supporters to change that. With early guidance from park leadership and a $2,500 seed grant from the National Park Foundation, the Friends of Big Bend National Park—now Big Bend Conservancy—took shape.
A volunteer board was formed, a mission established, and nonprofit status secured within the year. Early support from the Wray Trust helped launch the group’s first membership drive, and by 1997, board member Jack Lamkin led a successful effort to create a Big Bend license plate benefiting the park.
Those first years marked the beginning of a new era of community involvement at Big Bend. The groundwork laid then continues to shape the Conservancy’s mission and impact today.
Today
Nearly three decades after its founding, Big Bend Conservancy continues to grow from the same spirit of care and collaboration that inspired its first supporters. What began as a small group of park visitors determined to help protect Big Bend has become a statewide network of partners, donors, and friends dedicated to its preservation.
Today, the Conservancy’s work strengthens every part of the park: its landscapes, its visitors, and its people. Projects are improving accessibility and visitor understanding through initiatives like the Sotol Vista Overlook enhancements, Chisos Basin Plaza renovations, and the Conservancy's landmark Fossil Discovery Center. The Conservancy also supports responsible resource management with projects that restore trails, expand sensory and interpretive experiences, and preserve Big Bend’s celebrated dark skies.
Beyond visitor programs, the Conservancy helps ensure that Big Bend remains an outstanding place to live and work. Investments in workforce housing, leadership development, and staff well-being strengthen the park’s dedicated team, while new initiatives like solar power, rainwater catchments, and waste diversion projects protect the park’s future.
From its first $2,500 seed grant to the millions of dollars invested in projects across the park, Big Bend Conservancy continues to grow in reach and purpose. Its mission remains the same: to preserve, enrich, and conserve the unique resources of Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River for generations to come.
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