description National Bison Range Overview
Established by Congress in 1908, the former National Bison Range occupies roughly 18,800 acres within the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana. Its bison herd lives among native bunchgrass prairie and wooded areas, with habitat also supporting elk, deer and grassland birds. The setting makes the range relevant to wildlife observers and researchers interested in bison conservation and the surrounding prairie ecosystem. Its history also involves the relationship between wildlife protection and Indigenous land ownership.
Legislation enacted in 2020 authorized restoration of the land to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, followed by the federal trust transfer in 2021. Tribal staff assumed full operation in 2022. Now known as the Bison Range, the site combines wildlife conservation with tribal stewardship, a defining feature that adds essential context to its earlier identity as a federal refuge.
help National Bison Range FAQ
Where is the National Bison Range located?
The National Bison Range is a wildlife refuge located in northwestern Montana within the Flathead Indian Reservation. It was established by the United States Congress in 1908.
How large is the National Bison Range?
The refuge protects a herd of American bison across roughly 18,000 acres of land. The landscape consists of native Palouse prairie, grasslands, and forests.
Why was the National Bison Range established?
It was created by Congress in 1908 to help conserve the American bison, which had been hunted to the brink of extinction. The range provided a protected habitat where the species could recover safely.
What type of ecosystem does the National Bison Range protect?
The refuge is home to roughly 18,000 acres of native Palouse prairie and grasslands. This ecosystem supports a diverse array of wildlife alongside the bison, including elk and bighorn sheep.
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