The U.S. Senate passed a resolution on October 29th that officially recognizes November 2nd as National Bison Day for the historical, economic, ecological and cultural contributions of bison across the American landscape.
DC
The Wildlife Conservation Society hosted a Congressional reception on Capitol Hill on Oct. 30th. The reception had approximately 300 attendees representing 25% of Congressional offices. Speakers included Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO-1); Paul Thompson, proprietor of Ted’s Montana Grill in Alexandria, VA; and Rachel Jacobson, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Guests enjoyed bison sliders, and tastings of Buffalo Trace bourbon and Ted’s Montana Grill’s Bison Ridge Wine. Guests also visited display tables from WCS, Patagonia, National Indian Health Board and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
FL
Karla Brandt hosted a Vote Bison Campaign table at Tallahassee’s Downtown MarketPlace on Nov. 2nd. She was able to engage with visitors, educate folks about bison, and promote the Vote Bison Campaign.
IA
The O’Brien County Conservation Board hosted a National Bison Day event at the Prairie Heritage Center (Cherokee, IA). The family-friendly event featured information-sharing, interaction, a story, and crafts to highlight the historical impact of bison and what the animal’s role is today.
KS
Flint Hills Discovery Center (Manhattan, KS) hosted an event on Nov. 2nd in honor of National Bison Day and the start of Native American Heritage Month. Visitors participated in a variety of fun, educational events and themed arts and crafts projects and enjoyed a large bison pelt and bison artifacts on display. From 1 to 2 p.m., special guest, Jon Boursaw, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Legislative Representative for District 4, spoke about the history of the Nation.
KY
The National Bison Association celebrated National Bison Day at the Future Farmers of America National Convention (Louisville, KY). The NBA display at the expo educated FFA students about the significance of raising bison and the efforts of the Vote Bison Campaign. At the end of the day, thousands of FFA students were wearing Vote Bison Campaign buttons.
ND
The National Buffalo Museum (Jamestown, ND) offered National Bison Day discounts for gift shop purchases. The general public received a 10% discount on all purchases and Museum members received 20% off all purchases.
NJ
Cowtown Cowboy Outfitters (Woodstown, NJ) hosted a Vote Bison Campaign informational display on Nov. 2nd in celebration of National Bison Day.
NY
From 11am-2pm on Nov. 2nd, the Bronx Zoo Friends of the Zoo (FOZ) volunteers set up a table at the bison exhibit featuring bison artifacts and Vote Bison campaign information. FOZ volunteers offered informational chats to visitors and a bison zookeeper provided insight into the zoo’s historical bison herd. A few hundred guests were estimated to have stopped by the exhibit.
OK
The Oklahoma Bison Association celebrated National Bison Day and promoted the Vote Bison Campaign during their Jr. Bison Judging Contest (Nov. 1) and Annual Bison Sale (Nov. 2).
SD
The InterTribal Buffalo Council partnered with the Museum of the American Bison (Rapid City, SD) to host a National Bison Day celebration on Nov. 2nd. Visitors came from across the state, as well as North Dakota and Nebraska to hear presentations by park directors, wildlife biologists and award winning author and buffalo rancher, Dan O’Brien. There was a buffalo chili cook-off and kids activities throughout the day. Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker also attended the event and thanked everyone for their support in acknowledging the contribution of the bison to our area.
TX
Caprock Canyons State Park and the Texas Bison Association hosted “Sunset with the Texas State Bison Herd” in celebration of National Bison Day. Visitors began arriving at 4pm to view the Texas State Bison Herd in their native prairie range, then enjoyed a slide-show presentation about the historic herd.
VA
Ted’s Montana Grill celebrated National Bison Day at all three of its Virginia restaurants. From 2-5pm on Nov. 2nd, guests could received $2 off any bison entrée with a classic Ted’s $2 bill. The restaurants also handed out Vote Bison Campaign buttons.
WY
The Wildlife Conservation Society partnered with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, WY) to host an event in honor of National Bison Day on Nov. 2nd. Approximately 150 visitors stopped by booths featuring information about the American Bison Society, the Vote Bison Campaign, the National Bison Association and the InterTribal Buffalo Council. Dr. Don Woerner hosted a table display of bison artifacts, skulls and hides. Approximately 50 guests attended a showing of the film “American Serengeti” in the Center’s Coe Auditorium.