Ambitious nonprofit American Prairie surpasses half a million acres; aims to host thousands of wild and free-roaming bison across a vast stretch of Montana.
What a powerful quote from Steven Rinella to include in this story of the American bison. I found myself vigorously agreeing with the first description only to find myself fully agreeing with its opposite - a kind of whiplash, appropriate to the experience of the buffalo. Rinella sums up saying the bison stands for freedom and captivity, extinction and salvation.
Those types of incentives are propelling so much conservation. And they help bring the communities together in support. I will remember to highlight more as I come across them.
This is such great news! Great article, Amanda :D I wonder if there's a halo effect around grassland preservations that positively affects surrounding ranchland.
Yes, be a noodge! I trust your judgement. The caption was provided by American Prairie, so perhaps the photog misidentified it. I found this side-by-side comparison and I agree, it might be a sharp-shinned hawk because of the chest pattern and color, no? https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sharp-shinned_Hawk/species-compare/70585571
Thanks SO MUCH for this, Amanda. If you haven't yet listened, here (link below) is some of the best podcasting ever. The series is somewhat dated, but the developments since then, like what you're reporting here, have been favorable for bison. The podcast is called Threshold, and its founder and producer, Amy Martin, is brilliant, impactful, and leading a talented team of podcasters.
This is awesome! Loved the Steven Rinella quote, loved the prairie video and the article that inspired you to write about bison. Love the rancher incentives for trail cams.
I had no idea they were hunted to near extinction because of white settler colonialism. I never thought of the prairie ecosystem as something that needs saving but it makes sense. With most of my family coming from Montana, I definitely grew up revering bison and being aware of their endangered status. I have a memory as a little kid of a distant family member taking me up in a propeller plane and looking down on all the buffalo running through the plains. Thank you for giving me the gift of that memory back.
A very important, hopeful, and informative piece, as always.
One sentence stood out to me, as being weakly constructed,vaguely inaccurate. "Where cattle graze, only weeds are left behind." It depends on many factors, proper grazing management can be restorative, I think.
What a powerful quote from Steven Rinella to include in this story of the American bison. I found myself vigorously agreeing with the first description only to find myself fully agreeing with its opposite - a kind of whiplash, appropriate to the experience of the buffalo. Rinella sums up saying the bison stands for freedom and captivity, extinction and salvation.
Yes, it captures the situation quite succinctly. Thanks for reading.😉
Inspiring project - love the incentive to encourage ranchers to get involved by paying for animals that appear on their trail cams.
Those types of incentives are propelling so much conservation. And they help bring the communities together in support. I will remember to highlight more as I come across them.
This is such great news! Great article, Amanda :D I wonder if there's a halo effect around grassland preservations that positively affects surrounding ranchland.
I credit you for showing me the info on the fur lining the bird nests. Honestly, one of the best pieces of info I've found all year. 🙏
I love finding little details like that.
How cool is this?! Thanks for this story.
Thanks, Jeri!
I love this story! Thanks for good news. Sorry to be a nooge, but I think that photo shows a Sharp-shinned Hawk and not a Merlin.
Yes, be a noodge! I trust your judgement. The caption was provided by American Prairie, so perhaps the photog misidentified it. I found this side-by-side comparison and I agree, it might be a sharp-shinned hawk because of the chest pattern and color, no? https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sharp-shinned_Hawk/species-compare/70585571
Thanks SO MUCH for this, Amanda. If you haven't yet listened, here (link below) is some of the best podcasting ever. The series is somewhat dated, but the developments since then, like what you're reporting here, have been favorable for bison. The podcast is called Threshold, and its founder and producer, Amy Martin, is brilliant, impactful, and leading a talented team of podcasters.
https://www.thresholdpodcast.org/season01
Heading out for a long drive now and this will be perfect company. Thanks Bryan!
You’ve made my day with this, Amanda. Thank you!
I included the merlin falcon as an offering to bird watchers. She was irresistible.
I completely agree.😊
This is awesome! Loved the Steven Rinella quote, loved the prairie video and the article that inspired you to write about bison. Love the rancher incentives for trail cams.
I had no idea they were hunted to near extinction because of white settler colonialism. I never thought of the prairie ecosystem as something that needs saving but it makes sense. With most of my family coming from Montana, I definitely grew up revering bison and being aware of their endangered status. I have a memory as a little kid of a distant family member taking me up in a propeller plane and looking down on all the buffalo running through the plains. Thank you for giving me the gift of that memory back.
A very important, hopeful, and informative piece, as always.
The restoration of the prairie/bison ecosystem warms my jaded heart.
Mine, too. 🦬🌱
Did you ever visit Fermilab? Significant size herd there.
Never went there. I never had a car until my last summer in Chicago and I spent most of my time there studying ☹️ My travels consisted of bus rides to neighboring colleges for swim meets. But look the cuteness I just found: https://news.fnal.gov/2024/04/double-delivery-of-baby-bison-at-fermilab-today/
Ohhhh adorable!
David Smith. Thanks for sharing.
One sentence stood out to me, as being weakly constructed,vaguely inaccurate. "Where cattle graze, only weeds are left behind." It depends on many factors, proper grazing management can be restorative, I think.