The Friends of Big Bend....is now the Big Bend Conservancy.

The Big Bend Conservancy is the principal fundraising group for Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. The mission of this non-profit organization will remain unchanged - to support, promote, and raise funds for Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in partnership with the National Park Service and other supporters who value the unique qualities of these national resources along the Rio Grande.

“As we celebrate 20 years of support for the National Park Service, Big Bend Conservancy is eager to move ahead with a strong focus on raising funds for park initiatives and programs. We look forward to many more years of providing the park with that measure of excellence not provided by the federal budget,” said Chris Thompson, president of the Big Bend Conservancy.

The Big Bend Conservancy will continue to build on the successes achieved since 1996. In the past 20 years, Big Bend Conservancy has donated more than $2.4 million to the National Park Service for much needed special projects, programs and facilities. Milestones and highlights include the funding of the park’s $235,000 award-winning orientation film, $210,000 for restoration of critical wetland habitat in the Rio Grande Village area of the park, $75,000 to support the Boquillas Port of Entry and over $40,000 for improvements to the dark sky lighting, resulting in Gold Tier Dark Sky status from the International Dark Skies Association.

Other funded projects include significant enhancements to signage, interpretive programs, the Teacher Ranger Teacher program, flora and fauna research in the Dead Horse Mountains and media equipment and computers for Big Bend National Park staff. We thank the thousands of supporters who have made our work possible over the last twenty years. For information on making a donation or more details about the activities of Big Bend Conservancy, visit the group's website.