Bison populations reach milestones in US conservation projects

Bison populations are reaching significant milestones in major North American conservation projects. At the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma, the herd has grown to over 2,000 animals. The population fluctuates between 2,100 in the winter and approximately 2,700 during the summer following the birth of new calves. The preserve, managed by The Nature Conservancy, utilizes the bison to shape the ecosystem; their selective grazing of grass over wildflowers helps maintain a diverse habitat that supports over 750 plant species and 300 bird species.

In a separate effort, the American Prairie conservation nonprofit has announced that its resident herd of relatively free-roaming bison has surpassed 1,000 animals. This milestone marks a significant step for the organization, which aims to protect and rewild 3.2 million acres of land to create a contiguous wild stretch of prairie. The project currently manages over 600,000 acres, combining deeded and leased land to support large-scale wildlife restoration and natural behaviors.