As the sad news of Bob Armstrong’s passing percolates through Texas this week, it also drew fond memories from several long time Sierra Club leaders and conservationists. In addition to his steadfast work to acquire Big Bend Ranch for the Texas State Park System, he also was instrumental in forming the Austin Group of the Sierra Club in the 1960s.
Armstrong was honored in August last year for his work to make Big Bend Ranch a state park. The achievement roughly doubled the size of the state park system when it opened. For this, Texas Parks & Wildlife renamed its ranger station inside the park after him.
According to TPWD, Big Bend Ranch State Park is Texas’ largest state park and encompasses more than 300,000 acres of scenic Chihuahuan Desert landscape “that is blessed with abundant springs and other water features, a collapsed volcano, mountains and miles of Rio Grande frontage.”
Thanks to Armstrong’s efforts, visitors can hike, mountain-bike, backpack, paddle, ride horses or explore the park by vehicle. “The park offers 238 miles of multiuse trails and 70 miles of unmaintained dirt roads accessible to only high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. The Rio Grande area offers great day-use access. Visitors can float, fish and hike, or drive the scenic Camino del Rio (FM 170).”
In a call with him last year on the subject, Armstrong recalled that the first time he went to Big Bend Ranch he was with labor leader Harry Hubbard. It was snowing and the rugged beauty of the place made an indelible impression on him. It would be approximately 18 years before the land was formerly acquired and turned into the park thousands of people enjoy today.
Unfortunately, Armstrong’s memory of the early days of the Austin Group was faded when we talked, but he remembers there were three individuals that got the group off the ground, which soon became 15 people. If you remember any details about the early days of Sierra Club’s Austin Group, and remember Armstrong’s involvement, we’d love to hear from you!