Trump’s renewed border wall efforts threaten national parks and centuries-old trees.

About 22 miles south of the old mining town of Patagonia, Arizona, down a winding dirt road where cattle roam freely, stands a cottonwood tree thought to be over 200 years old. Locals affectionately refer to it as the “grandmother” tree, but it’s in danger, showing signs of distress as if it senses its impending fate. Its leaves are turning yellow and falling prematurely, even in the height of summer. On July 27th, a construction crew cut down three nearby trees to extend the border wall along the US-Mexico border.

Just two days later, an activist climbed the last remaining tree and has since occupied a platform in its branches, vowing to stay there as long as necessary to prevent its destruction. This protest symbolizes more than just the fate of one tree. “This tree represents a literal line in the sand against border militarization in general,” stated a conservation advocate.

Recently, the Department of Homeland Security has ramped up efforts to fortify the border, sending construction crews to remote areas in Texas, Arizona, and the Tohono O’odham Nation to continue building the wall, while waiving environmental regulations, sparking backlash from communities ranging from Ajo to the ghost town of Terlingua.

This construction surge is occurring despite a significant drop in encounters at the southwestern border. In fact, after the previous administration took office, encounters decreased not due to new barriers but because asylum processes were effectively halted. Nevertheless, a bill passed in 2025 allocated an additional $46.5 billion to complete the wall.

The border wall is more than just a physical barrier; it’s part of a vast surveillance network comprising drones, towers, and cameras. Even in areas without a visible wall, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) utilizes this “virtual wall” to monitor migrants, proving to be more effective than a physical barrier.

In the ghost town of Lochiel, Arizona, activists have established a camp on private land near the cottonwood tree to support the protest. They share cooking duties and use a pulley system to send food and water to the person in the tree. They are aware of being monitored, as trucks from a private security firm frequently patrol the area. The activists keep tabs on the various contractors involved in the construction efforts.

Henry, a community organizer from Tucson participating in the encampment, reported that a DHS helicopter flew alarmingly close to the tree on August 10th. “This movement was started and sustained by local environmentalists who care deeply about these ancient cottonwood trees,” he said, noting that a newer wave of activists sees this as a chance to physically halt the wall’s construction.

Construction plans vary by region. In Arizona’s San Rafael Valley, where an older fence already exists, DHS is erecting a wall with 30-foot-tall steel bollards. The goal is to create a “double wall” along the Arizona-Mexico border, which will cut through the Tohono O’odham reservation and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. To do this, contractors are dismantling the old fence and building a new wall nearby, directly threatening the cottonwood tree.

“They’re approaching the tree from both sides with their work crews,” Henry noted, uncertain of their next steps once they exhaust their current tasks.

In Big Bend National Park, CBP is constructing what it calls a “Technology & Patrol Road,” a “smart wall” system featuring sensors, cameras, and surveillance towers, despite an existing road already traversing the park. In response to public outcry regarding recent construction, CBP chief stated that they are not building a wall but rather improving access roads and installing detection technology.

On August 17th, the CBP announced a pause on all construction in Big Bend National Park for a personal evaluation. Observers noted that while construction vehicles were staged, no active work was being done.

Local residents and environmentalists argue that CBP doesn’t need a 30-foot wall to harm local ecosystems. Recently, contractors began excavating Mariscal Mountain, a significant limestone ridge, as part of the survey work for the patrol road.

“You can call it what you want. You’re destroying what we’re trying to protect,” said a local river guide and landowner.

CBP insists its aim is to keep Big Bend accessible to the public. The agency claims the planned “smart wall” is a proactive measure, despite the area historically experiencing fewer crossings than other border regions. They argue that increased security elsewhere could push migrants into Big Bend.

The Center for Biological Diversity previously sued the administration, claiming that bypassing environmental laws to build the wall violates constitutional principles. However, a federal judge dismissed the case, citing laws that allow DHS to ignore numerous federal regulations to expedite construction.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the lack of communication regarding ground disturbances. “They told us they would give us 30 days’ notice before any ground disturbance,” said a river guide. “But they just started destroying the river corridor without any warning.”

The government’s legal team contends that what’s happening is merely preparatory work to create access roads. “You can call it what you want,” the river guide replied. “You’re destroying what we’re trying to protect.”

He and others have been informed that the new CBP roads will not be open to the public, only accessible to Border Patrol. “That’s heartbreaking. You’re going to destroy our national park and take away private landowners’ property for roads nobody can use?” he lamented.

CBP also plans to install vehicle barriers that locals fear will restrict access to the Rio Grande, threatening the livelihoods of river guides. The border wall poses risks not only to landscapes and livelihoods but also to migratory species in the Southwest, including Sonoran pronghorns and Mexican gray wolves.

In recent weeks, the small community has seen an influx of construction workers. Some local businesses have even put up signs refusing service to border wall workers. Despite the previous administration receiving significant support in the area, the community largely opposes the wall. Many locals who initially supported the administration now regret their votes.

Residents believe the wall is less about security and more about profit, pointing out that some contractors are major donors. One contractor reportedly lobbied directly for funding and received a substantial contract during the previous administration.

Recently, over 100 people gathered for a protest in Big Bend National Park, chanting against the construction plans. A retired National Park Service ranger noted that some attendees traveled over 100 miles to participate, expressing disbelief at the scale of the construction efforts.

In both Arizona and Texas, locals view the wall as not only wasteful but also harmful. “They could spend this money on more agents, more cameras, more drones,” said the river guide. “Even if that’s a waste, it would be more effective than what they’re planning.”

Update, August 17th: Following publication, CBP announced a pause on construction in Big Bend National Park.