Conservation Starts With Us
Bison One Million is an ambitious commitment started by Ted Turner to build the North American bison population to one million animals.
Accomplishing the goal will require a collaborative commitment among private ranchers, public herd managers, tribal leaders, First Nations communities, conservationists, government agencies and other stakeholders in the United States and Canada.
Learn More »What This Initiative Means
The North American bison population has steadily recovered since an estimated 700 animals balanced on the verge of extinction in the mid 1880’s. Today, there are an estimated 385,000 bison in North American private, public and tribal herds, according to information compiled by the National Bison Association (See charts at right). If, however, the herds could expand at a rate of little over 10% per year, over the next eight years, the overall North American herd would surpass one million animals by 2025.
How We Can Help
Ranchers from all over North America, even Ontario, Canada, develop a game plan for our individual roles. Just as important, federal, state, and provincial agencies must play a role through new policies, including:
- Additional incentives for young and beginning bison ranchers
- Expanded access to federal grazing lands for bison production and ecosystem restoration
- Incentives for expansion of tribal/First Nation community herds for tribal and commercial markets
- Restoration of bison in federal and state parks that were part of the historic bison habitat
- Expanded live bison transfers from public parks to tribal groups and ranchers
- Expanded learning opportunities for sustainable bison production and stewardship
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