GYC raises $250,000 for Yellowstone bison quarantine expansion

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition and Yellowstone Forever have each raised $250,000 in time for Yellowstone National Park to expand facilities this year for Yellowstone’s Bison Conservation and Transfer Program. This program identifies brucellosis-free bison and moves them through a multi-year quarantine process with the goal of relocating them to select Tribal and public lands. The funds secured by the conservation organizations match the $500,000 allocated by Yellowstone National Park for the project.

The program is run by Yellowstone National Park, and is made possible by partnerships with the Fort Peck Tribes, InterTribal Buffalo Council, State of Montana, and support from non-profits such as the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and Yellowstone Forever. 

Bison in Yellowstone National Park. With the quarantine facility expansion, more bison will be saved from slaughter and sent to available Tribal and public lands. (Photo NPS/Jacob W. Frank)

“Expanding the capacity of this important program is one of our top wildlife conservation priorities," said Superintendent Cam Sholly. "Our thanks to Yellowstone Forever, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and all donors who have helped make this a success. We've proven this model can work in cooperation with our U.S. Department of Agriculture, State, and Tribal partners and look forward to more progress in the future."   

The funds raised by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition will contribute to an expansion project that will significantly increase the current capacity of the quarantine facilities. New holding pens and other infrastructure improvements will allow nearly three times as many bison to enter the program, diverting more bison from slaughter and transferring them to their historic native ranges.  

The Bison Conservation Transfer Program facilitates the cultural and ecological restoration of wild bison to Tribal and other public lands. The program provides an alternative to sending bison to slaughter in order to manage the population within the Park. 

In 2020, 55 male bison were released on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. With the quarantine facility expansion, more bison will be restored to Tribal lands. (Photo NPS/Jacob W. Frank)

“We are thrilled to support this exciting effort to increase the number of Yellowstone bison that can be kept alive and restored to Tribal lands,” said Scott Christensen, executive director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. “Great partners at Yellowstone National Park and Yellowstone Forever, and the generous support of our donors, made this possible.”

If you would like to make an additional gift towards our bison work, you may do so here. Thank you for all your support!

— Melissa Richey, Director of Development

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 30+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.