On May 9th, 2016, the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into law by former President Obama. The title, H. R. 2908, also known as the "National Bison Legacy Act" adopted the bison as the national mammal of the United States!
Amongst some important points of the act:
Bison are considered a historical symbol of the United States
Bison were integrally linked with the economic and spiritual lives of many Indian tribes
Many Indian tribes participate in the Intertribal Buffalo counsel, are involved in bison restoration, and have a combined herd of more than 1,000,000 acres of tribal land.
Bison play an integral role in restoring and improving the grasses and landscapes of the grasslands
Bison hold economic value for private and rural areas
Bison create jobs and sustainable, healthy meat source
Theodore Roosevelt and others formed the American Bison Society to address Bison extinction
Bison were re-established in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, as well as several herds in different states
The bison is portrayed on 2 state flags, and been adopted by 3 states, and can also be found on the nickel!
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