Saving Our National Mammal

Helping buffalo field campaign Protect yellowstone's last wild herds

On May 9, 2016, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law, officially making the American bison the National Mammal of the United States. Once nearly extinct, the American Bison (or Buffalo) joins the ranks of the Bald Eagle as an official symbol of our country.

In the United States, the Yellowstone herds are the last continuously wild, migratory buffalo populations that remain intact. The majestic Yellowstone bison are the last pure descendants of the early bison that roamed North America's grasslands.

Unfortunately, our National Mammal in Yellowstone faces many threats. The wild bison and their calves face harassment on National Forest lands by the Montana Department of Livestock and other government agencies. The Yellowstone buffalo are also victims to hunting and slaughter.

For over the last 20 years, Buffalo Field Campaign has been working tirelessly to protect North America’s last wild herd. The BFC is the only group dedicated to protecting America's last wild herd and its habitat, yet little is known about the plight of the Yellowstone bison or the work of Buffalo Field Campaign outside the Yellowstone region.

Strategic communications planning. Our challenge was to engage disparate groups that include native and tribal peoples, farmers, ranchers, environmentally conscious businesses, government agencies, as well as a global audience. In order to accomplish this, we created a strategic communication calendar that focused on the 2016 designation of the American Bison as Our National Mammal to educate and establish a common ground among our diverse audiences and inspire action. Our content strategy highlights the importance of the American Bison in the Yellowstone ecosystem as well as our nation's history and BFC’s crucial work in the field and legislative arenas to protect our National Mammal.

Outreach tool. In order to empower new Buffalo Field Campaign advocates, we also developed an outreach presentation that volunteers across the nation can download and spread BFC’s mission to protect our National Mammal as an important symbol of our nation’s strength of spirit and history. 

Client: Justine Sanchez, buffalo field campaign