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On October 15, the Austin Chronicle presented Environment Texas with a "Best of Austin" award for our work to protect the Christmas Mountains, saying "when the General Land Office tried to sell the property to private buyers, it was Environment Texas that first shook the branches, raised a firestorm of public protest, and made caring about public lands an act of Texas pride again".

The sale was cancelled in February and now the mountains are open to the public for the first time. However, Commissioner Patterson continues to block the National Park Service from adding the property to Big Bend National Park.

How You Can Help

Please contact your lawmakers and urge them to support legislation to transfer management of the Christmas Mountains to the National Park Service, which is in the best position to take care of the property.

Summary

The Christmas Mountains, a ruggedly beautiful wilderness area adjacent to Big Bend National Park, were donated to the state of Texas in 1991 “for use as and inclusion in a nature park, wildlife refuge, recreational area or similarly designated use area." However, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson had tried to sell the land to private interests.

The Richard K. Mellon Foundation, one of the land’s original donors and one of the nation’s leading public land philanthropies, has warned that if the sale goes through against their wishes, the state of Texas should “not look to the R.K. Mellon Foundation for any future help.” The state of Texas hasn't funded a major land acquisition program since 1967 and has primarily relied on the generosity of private foundations to fund natural area protection, including public hunting lands. Selling the Christmas Mountains could have created a “chilling effect” on future philanthropy.

The good news is the National Park Service wants to acquire the property to add to the crown jewel of Texas' park system, Big Bend National Park. Unfortunately, Commissioner Patterson has said he won't sell the Christmas Mountains to Big Bend unless they allow hunting and concealed weapons on the property, which they currently don't.

Environment Texas will push for legislation requiring Commissioner Patterson to transfer management of the Christmas Mountains to the National Park Service, which has offered to make available their staff archaeologists and biologists, search and rescue teams, and visitor services. NPS is in the best position to permanently protect the Christmas Mountains and provide for safe and enjoyable public recreation on the property.