Fort^ P
eck^
La
ke
Missouri
197
453
180
Bison pasture
Number of bison
2
2
191
AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE
WHITE
ROCK
DRY FORK
SUN PRAIRIE
SUN PRAIRIE
NORTH
TWO
CROW
RANCH
TIMBER
CREEK
BLUE RIDGE
BURNT LODGE
Glasgow
To Malta and Pop. 3,328
Saco, MT
PETROLEUM
22,138
GARFIELD
74 , 2 62
VALLEY
61,831
PHILLIPS
76,901
FE
RG
US
C
O.
PE
TR
OL
EU
M
C
O.
PH
IL
LIP
S^
CO
.
VA
LL
EY
C
O.
CHARLES M. RUSSELL
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
CHARLES M. RUSSELL
N.W.R.
UL BEND N.W.R.
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
APR
(830)
UNITED STATES
ALASKA
(U.S.)
MEXICO
CANADA
Mississippi
River
MONTANA
“Save the cowboy” is a rallying cry for many
locals who see APR as an unwelcome outsider.
The ranchers don’t want to raise cattle alongside
bison, fearing disease exchange between species,
as well as the return of apex predators. They say
each acre taken from cattle grazing threatens
ranching operations and hurts the local economy.
APR aims to protect 3.2 million acres—an area larger
than Yellowstone National Park—and establish a
herd of 10,000 bison. This would benefit other native
species, such as prairie dogs, wolves, and even griz-
zly bears, and return the landscape to a wilder state.
APR lands are public reserves, open to hunters,
campers, and others wishing to connect with nature.
RESTORING THE WILD DEFENDING RANCHERS
Building bison herds
APR’s three bison herds are fenced
in and closely studied. The goal is
to develop a large, roaming bison
population, but APR needs expan-
sive pastures to do so.
Dying on the plains
Before the westward expan-
sion of the U.S., at least 30 mil-
lion bison roamed across North
America. They were driven to
near extinction by the late 1800s.
The Lewis and Clark
Expedition first
passed through this
area in May 1805.
- ically meant for cattle grazing.
This land is counted as part of
the reserve, but raising bison
requires special permitting.
Today the estimated
500,000 bison in the U.S.
and Canada are raised
mainly for food production.
Some 30,000 are managed
for conservation.
These are private lands that
APR has already purchased.
It is allowed to build struc-
tures and maintain bison
herds on its properties.
419,000 ACRES
Total area owned and leased by
APR from 30 land transactions
Historic range of Bison bison
Grassland eco-region
Populations of
bison managed
for conservation
5000
1000
100
APR
deeded land
APR
leased land