Big Bend Natural History Association

10/01/2026

It's International Coffee Day!

Did you know that BBNHA sells coffee from Big Bend Coffee Roasters as part of a cooperative fundraiser with the Big Bend Conservancy?

Funds from the sale of these two special blends help support the 'Coffee with a Ranger' program that allows visitors to ask questions and learn all about the park with a Big Bend ranger. These programs are held throughout the year, usually on the porch of the Chisos Basin Lodge.

09/27/2026

These are just some of the amazing arrowhead designs that were submitted for our Design Your Own Arrowhead contest.

One winner from each of three different age groups will get their design featured on a sticker. Those stickers will be handed out to next year’s Junior Rangers.

We’ll announce the winners here soon so stay tuned!

09/22/2026

Our Panther Junction store will be closed tomorrow for inventory. The Chisos Basin store will be open regular hours on Wednesday and Panther Junction will reopen at 8:00 am on Thursday.

Our webstore is always available at www.BigBendBookstore.org

09/14/2026

Check out these gorgeous custom bandanas made by RK Artwork just for BBNHA!

The pollinator design features plants and pollinator animals from Big Bend in gorgeous green and pink colors. And the Santa Elena Canyon design features peaks and geologic features from around the park and many of the animals Big Bend is known for.

You can get yours in the Panther Junction visitor center or on our website:
https://bbnha.org/shop-online/bandanas

09/09/2026

Everyone loves the big animals in our nation's national parks. Visitors always ask where they can see the bears and mountain lions when they come to Big Bend. Those large mammals are exciting to see in their natural habitats, but have you ever slowed down to appreciate the array of tiny wildlife around you in Big Bend?

The park is home to more than 3,600 insect species, 160 butterfly species, and dozens (or many more) arachnid species. Here are some of the coolest small animals we've seen lately around Panther Junction.

📸 K. Lentz
1) Black Witch Moth 😍😍😍
2) Sonoran Tiger Mantis
3) Rainbow Grasshopper
4) Funereal Duskywing Butterfly
5) Texas Brown Tarantula
6) Tailless Whip Scorpion
7) Wolf Spider

08/19/2026

The Park Rangers have organized a special day for National Jr Ranger Day on Saturday, August 22nd.

Be sure to bring the kids and join the fun!

08/13/2026

08/04/2026

Nothing like a mid-summer bloom to take our minds off the heat....kind of. Thanks to the inches of rain we received, we're now being treated to blooming cacti, wildflowers, and bushes around the park.

An extra special treat is the rare all-white cenizo (Texas sage) bush that's in full bloom right now between Panther Junction and the Maverick entrance. Shades of pink and purple are common, but a wild, all-white cenizo is quite unusual.

📸 K. Lentz

08/02/2026

We recommend checking out any of these great ranger-led programs if you'll be in the park this week.

07/24/2026

Join us tomorrow at the Panther Junction visitor center from 2:00-4:00 for the last Artist-in-Residence program of the summer.

Photographer Spencer Selvidge will lead a short walk and a presentation on paired visible-light and infrared photography.