Yellowstone Bison Find Year-Round Room to Roam in Montana

Background: On April 6, 2016 the Interagency Bison Management Plan Partners announced approval for opening up year-round habitat for bison, on primarily public lands adjacent to Yellowstone National Park in Montana. The proposal, championed by Montana Governor Steve Bullock, has been under consideration for three years. Year-round habitat for bison will open up immediately following signing of the official agreement, at the end of April.

Statement by Stephanie Adams, Yellowstone Program Manager for National Parks Conservation Association: “Starting this spring, for the first time in generations, bison will be allowed to stay year-round on public lands adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. Thanks to leadership by Montana’s Governor Steve Bullock, years of public input, and support from the National Park Service and bison management partners, Yellowstone bison will now be allowed year-round room to roam, on more than 330,000 acres of lands on Yellowstone National Park’s western and northern boundaries.”

“We hope this decision drives further advancements for Yellowstone bison, which unfortunately continue to be shipped to slaughter when they leave the park in search of food in the winter. National Parks Conservation Association is urging federal and state partners to finish writing a new bison management plan that stops shipping the animals to slaughter and ensures that bison management is based on the best available science. It’s up to the Obama Administration to make sure this plan gets finalized before the clock runs out.”

About National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.