State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (IL) | Representative Wayne A Rosenthal (R) 108th District
State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (IL) | Representative Wayne A Rosenthal (R) 108th District
The American bison, once a common sight across North America, including Illinois, is making a comeback in the Prairie State. Historically, these large mammals played a vital role in maintaining ecosystems by grazing on grasses and sedges, allowing other plants and animals to thrive. Native tribes in the Great Plains relied heavily on bison for survival and regarded them as sacred animals.
American bison differ from buffalo despite common misconceptions. Bison have distinct features such as a hump on their backs and thicker coats suitable for colder climates, while buffalo are native to Africa and Asia with different physical traits.
In the 19th century, bison populations faced near extinction due to overhunting during America's westward expansion. By the 1880s, only a few hundred wild bison remained from an estimated population of 30 to 60 million. Conservation efforts have since increased their numbers to around 500,000 today.
Efforts to recognize the significance of bison led to the "Vote Bison Campaign" in 2012. U.S. Senators Michael Enzi of Wyoming and Tim Johnson of South Dakota collaborated with various stakeholders to draft legislation naming the American Bison as the National Mammal of the United States. This was formalized in May 2016 when former President Barack Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law.
Bison are now being reintroduced into areas they once roamed freely. In Kane County, Illinois, construction has begun at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve to accommodate bison with plans expected to complete by late 2024 or early 2025. Representative Jeff Keicher expressed his support for this initiative: “I am happy to see Kane County’s efforts in restoring our grasslands and bringing bison back to Illinois.”
Other locations like Nachusa Grasslands and Wildlife Prairie Park offer environments where bison can live with minimal human interaction. Nachusa Grasslands hosts a herd within its nearly 4,000-acre preserve while Wildlife Prairie Park allows guests lodging options nearby.
Various sites across Illinois and neighboring states provide opportunities for observing these majestic creatures including Fermilab in Batavia and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington among others.
National Bison Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of November; this year marks its 13th commemoration on November 2nd.
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