A West Texas tour company is encouraging visitors to speak out against proposed border wall construction in the Big Bend region by helping them send postcards to state and federal leaders.
Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company recently shared a post on social media showing stacks of handwritten postcards from guests addressed to the governor and members of Congress. The company said visitors on its guided trips are writing the cards to express concerns about border wall construction and its potential impact on the region.
The company offers guided canyon float trips, desert hikes and other tours throughout the Big Bend area, including excursions in and around Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
In the social media post, the company thanked guests who took time during their visits to write postcards urging leaders to reconsider wall construction along parts of the Texas-Mexico border in the Big Bend region.
The area is known for its rugged desert landscape, remote river canyons and internationally recognized wildlife habitat. Tourism centered on outdoor recreation is a key economic driver for communities such as Terlingua, Study Butte and other small towns near the parks.
Opponents of border wall construction in the region have argued that barriers could disrupt wildlife movement, affect river access and alter the landscape that attracts visitors to the Big Bend.
Supporters of the wall say the barriers are necessary for border security.
The postcard effort by the tour company reflects broader debate in the region over how border security measures could affect tourism, conservation and local businesses tied to outdoor recreation.
The Big Bend region draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its national and state parks, with many travelers booking guided river and hiking trips to experience the Chihuahuan Desert and the Rio Grande corridor.
