DOI PARTNERS TO CONSERVE THE AMERICAN BISON

Interior and Partners Commit to Long-Term Initiative to Conserve the American Bison

10-year initiative provides framework for shared conservation goals

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020

WASHINGTON -  U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt today announced the Bison Conservation Initiative (BCI), a new cooperative initiative that will coordinate conservation strategies and approaches for the wild American Bison over the next 10 years. “Interior is uniquely positioned to lead the way for shared stewardship of this iconic American species,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “This 10-year plan will guide our collaboration with states, tribes, private conservationists and managers across public lands to advance conservation efforts and honor iconic wild bison.”

The DOI Bison Working Group (BWG)--comprised of representatives from the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Indian Affairs--has worked with its partners to strengthen resource coordination, institute a conservation genetics framework and publish investigations into metapopulation management and herd health.

The BWG will now:

•         Develop and launch a DOI bison metapopulation strategy

•         Develop and implement a DOI bison stewardship plan

•         Improve and expand mechanisms to support ecocultural restoration of live bison

•         Adopt low-stress capture and handling practices