Celebrating Buffalo250!

This year is the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 10th anniversary of Congress’s designation of the bison as the national mammal. These anniversaries invite reflection not only on our nation’s history, but on one of its most enduring and powerful symbols. The plains bison—often called buffalo—is a species whose story is inseparable from our own as a nation.

Once numbering an estimated 30 to 60 million, North America's plains bison shaped the ecology of the Great Plains for thousands of years. Their grazing patterns sustained diverse native grasses, their wallows created habitat for birds and insects, and their presence supported entire ecosystems. For many Native Nations, buffalo are more than wildlife—they are relatives, providers, and central to culture, ceremony, spirituality, and identity. By the late 1800s, commercial hunting and westward expansion had driven the species to the brink of extinction, reducing the population to just a few hundred animals.

Today, thanks to Tribal leadership, conservationists, ranchers, private landowners, and public agencies, bison have rebounded to roughly 500,000 animals across North America. A small fraction is managed for conservation purposes in large, wide-ranging herds. The work of true restoration—returning buffalo to landscapes where they can once again shape grassland ecosystems—continues.

Throughout this commemorative year, we invite you to learn about the growing movement to restore this iconic species to the American landscape.

1. Explore the organizations leading this effort
   
2. Attend buffalo related events and museums in your region, and
3. Visit a buffalo herd with your family this summer
   

Discover how you can be part of the next chapter in the buffalo’s story!

Below you'll find links to our Bison Events Calendar, an Interactive Road Trip Map featuring opportunities to see bison across the US, and North American organizations participating in #Buffalo250.

Events Calendar:

Across America, more is being done than ever before to restore bison to the landscape. Native Nations are leading historic reintroduction efforts. Conservation groups are expanding habitat and improving genetic diversity. Museums, schools, and community organizations are sharing the story of the buffalo’s near-loss and remarkable return.

Our Events Calendar highlights opportunities to learn, celebrate, and engage—from educational programs and cultural gatherings to policy discussions and prairie restoration tours. These events reflect the scale and diversity of the buffalo restoration movement.