Zoo will host Keep Big Bend Wild public meeting, Nov. 14, 6:30pm

Many species of Chihuahuan Desert wildlife will benefit from wilderness protection at Big Bend National Park.

KEEP BIG BEND WILD is a coalition of Big Bend National Park supporters who care deeply about securing the future of the wild places we love at Big Bend. Their goal is to formally designate wilderness in undeveloped areas of Big Bend National Park.

PLACE: El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens Event Pavilion, 4001 E Paisano Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905

WHEN: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Everyone who wants to protect the wild places we love for future generation of people and wildlife at Big Bend!

Register below for a free copy of the Zoo’s 2023 Conservation Research Report available at the meeting.

Keep Big Bend Wild and the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens are hosting a community meeting to discuss and seek comments on a proposal to designate wilderness in undeveloped areas of Big Bend National Park. A proposed wilderness map and draft legislation will be available for review and comment. Information on KBBW’s goals, supporters, and FAQs are available for review online at www.keepbigbendwild.org .

Wilderness designation, under the federal Wilderness Act of 1964, would ensure the currently undeveloped areas of the park, and the opportunities and experiences they offer to park visitors, remain intact. Such designation would not change or affect existing paved and unpaved roads and their use, nor other visitor use and administrative developments where visitor centers, stores, lodging, food service, camping, and staff housing are located. Wilderness designation would apply only to federal land within Big Bend National Park, would not hinder border security activities, and would not alter or diminish private property rights in any way.

Directions to the Zoo coming from West

If you come to the Zoo remember that traffic can be crazy with the international bridge nearby especially late afternoon on into the evening. If you are driving from the west on we recommend taking the 375 loop that you can get on from I-10 at Sunland Park or Executive. Once you are on 375 and pass downtown El Paso take Paisano Drive exit 59 turning right on Delta and then passing Bowie High School and Chamizal National Memorial on the left. Next turn left onto Boone Street to the Zoo.

Directions to the Zoo coming from East and North

If you take I-10 from the East or the Airport we recommend you take the Paisano exit to the Zoo. When you take the Paisano Exit and pass McDonalds on the right turn right at Fox Plaza onto Paisano to the Zoo. If you are coming from the north on 54 I recommend you take the Montana exit and then go to Paisano.

For more information, email us at keepbigbendwild@outlook.com or visit our website at http://www.keepbigbendwild.org.

Wildlife that will benefit from wilderness protection now and in the future