| Every New Calf Born is a Victory |
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| | This week in the field West Yellowstone, our presence in the field begins to become especially important as the Buffalo mothers, who have been fighting for their survival all winter, begin giving birth to their calves. As beautiful and cute as they are, the calves, the new generation, are the symbol of a fresh start. They are the young who must learn how to survive from their elders, and will one day be leading the herd. Because of this they are sacred and precious, a necessary renewal for the Buffalo herd. |
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| | photos by Don Miller while on patrol with BFC |
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| We must do all we can to protect them and ensure the survival of the Buffalo - for they are the future of Buffalo. And we as humans have much to learn from how Buffalo protect and nourish their young. Without taking care of our young, and understanding the renewal that has to happen with each generation, we continue to destroy our Earth and set ourselves up for disaster. Yet, here, in the vast beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, we celebrate that every new born calf is a victory! |
| | In Celebration of Mother's Day |
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| This Sunday - Mother’s Day - we team up with Float T-shirts featuring this design to celebrate wild bison calving season and all our mothers! Look for a link on Mother's Day to order yours and/or one for your mom on Facebook and Instagram. We'll also send out a special email blast this Sunday with links for ordering! |
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| | Don J Miller Volunteer Story A whale center on an island in Washington state may seem an unusual place to start a Buffalo journey but, indeed, that is where mine began. Mike Mease, co-founder of Buffalo Field Campaign was presenting his roadshow on the plight of the Yellowstone Buffalo herds. His program was moving and I became a modest BFC monthly donor. Fast forward ten years I am now retired, still busy, but a little more flexible in my time. It seemed like a time to experience and make another type of contribution for Buffalo. I sent in an application and I am glad to say BFC agreed. Though I have followed BFC’s newsletter and actions for years there is nothing that really compares to being physically present. Setting out the BUFFALO ON ROAD signs, observing the herds, seeing new calves; all these experiences reinforced my commitment. The Buffalo never ceased to amaze and teach me. I knew Buffalo were agile and could move fast but watching one after another Buffalo walk up to a guard rail, scratch their chest, then crouch and leap over it was a sight I will never forget. And they have mystery moves. You may count a sizable herd grazing seemingly slow in their movements, but when you circle back in 15 minutes, they have all disappeared. |
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| | I have photographed since my adolescent years and provide programs on keeping ourselves right with the planet that is life’s place. A number of folks that have seen my prior program are asking about a program from this trip. I thank the BFC staff for this opportunity. I see them working with such love and dedication. Let’s get some more recruits. Seeing the reason for wild Buffalo is a vision right with Earth. Don J Miller
delicatelightphotography.com |
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| Take Action for the Buffalo! Please reach out to Montana Governor Gianforte to tell him to rescind Montana's zero tolerance policy for wild Buffalo. Tell him to drop his lawsuit against Yellowstone National Park to bring the number of "allowable" bison from 5,000 back down to 3,500. Tell Governor Gianforte to BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR and welcome our last wild migratory Buffalo onto public lands and into the state! Contact MT Governor Gianforte: ☎️(406) 444-3111 📧governor@mt.gov Please reach out to Cam Sholly and Yellowstone National Park. Tell him that bison are “a practitioner of conservation” and provide for healthy grasslands and soils, and a diversity of native insect, plant, bird, amphibian, and animal species." (The Buffalo: A Treaty of Cooperation, Renewal and Restoration) Contact YNP Superintendent, Cam Sholly: ☎️(307) 344-2002 📧Yell_Superintendent@nps.gov |
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| | |  | When a BFC Road Sign is Stolen Unfortunately, one of our "Buffalo on Road” signs was stolen about 2 weeks ago. Then, this accident occurred around 1am on April 28 on Highway 191 about 1/4 mile south of Rainbow Point Rd in the south bound lane. This is a major migration corridor for our last wild bison and BFC Night Patrols maintain our signs here especially during Spring Migration and Calving Season (check out our video on FB/IG). The injured Buffalo had two broken legs but managed to get itself about 150 yards away from the highway. Montana Department of Livestock then euthanized them. Luckily, the driver did not have any serious injuries and said there had been a herd on the highway. For anyone living in the area, please spread the word that BFC’s presence and our large reflective “Buffalo on Road” signs are a vital part of keeping our whole community safe. If you happen to find our sign, please return it to our headquarters or to any of our field patrols…no questions asked. Thank you and drive slowly and safely…for the Buffalo. |
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| | | | | Buffalo Field Campaign
PO Box 957 | West Yellowstone, Montana 59758
406-646-0070 | info@buffalofieldcampaign.org |
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