Championing a New Era for Yellowstone Bison Conservation

I am reaching out to express my concern and to seek your support for a crucial ecological issue: the management of the Yellowstone bison herd. Yellowstone National Park is home to America’s only continuously wild bison herd, a symbol of our national wildlife heritage. Unfortunately, an outdated management plan subjects these bison to an annual ship-to-slaughter program each winter, contradicting modern conservation principles. The National Park Service is revisiting the management strategy for these bison, presenting an opportunity to advocate for a more humane and ecologically sound approach. I urge you to support the end of the ship-to-slaughter program and to promote the natural growth of the bison population. This change is not only vital for the ecological balance of Yellowstone but also for the cultural significance and restoration of tribal herds across the West. Key points for consideration: 1. **Expand the Herd**: Allowing the herd to naturally grow to at least 7,000 animals will bolster the park’s ecological health and promote biodiversity. 2. **Support Bison Restoration to Tribal Lands**: A larger, healthier bison population would enable the expansion of Tribal-managed cultural herds, respecting Native American heritage and contributing to regional ecological restoration. 3. **End the Ship-to-Slaughter Practice**: This inhumane practice is a relic of the past. Modern conservation methods and landscape management make it possible to end this practice, allowing us to treat our national mammal with the respect it deserves. The restoration of the Yellowstone bison is a significant American conservation success story. Your support in this critical matter will help ensure this legacy continues and that these magnificent creatures are preserved for future generations. Thank you for your commitment to environmental conservation and wildlife protection. I trust you will consider this issue with the seriousness it warrants and advocate for a responsible, compassionate approach to managing the Yellowstone bison herd.