The Bison - Week 11 - Biology

Lesson: Restoring American Bison to it's rightful range.

Prioritizing the bison

Resetting the natural balance

I had the great pleasure to go to Yellowstone National park about five years ago with my family for a road trip. Our drive through the park came to a clear halt as a herd of bison grazing by the road slowly approached the line of cars.
The herd by the grass slowly lifted their heads to view the humans in their strange moving vehicles and walk up to the cars. My younger self decided to roll down the windows and give the bison a smile, and it was to my greatest luxury to be inside of the car and in arms-length proximity with the great bison. His massive face coming closer to mine, and with a calm breath. 

This felt like one of the longest minutes of my life, but it felt right. I dared not to reach out to touch the bison, but looked at him with admiration as I did with my dog. There is no doubt that these beautiful animals carry a soul that is worth remembering. 

I am sure to believe that the reintroduction of the American Bison is an important process for the ecosystem. It's priority lies higher than average, as their influence on the lands are crucial to bringing back other forms of life and regulating the green grasslands of the area. 

With great care and understanding of the bison, I feel that we are able to reset the natural balance in places such as in Illinois. Their impact on the ecosystem and environment is a big factor in maintaining a balance within these lands, as well as for our sake as well. 

I hope this becomes an effort which spreads throughout the nation and becomes a collective project for politicians and investors to look into, as every passing day, our Earth is in need of more and more help.