Defenders Stands Against Rejection of Bison Grazing Lands

Defenders of Wildlife is joining conservation group American Prairie in protesting a proposal by the Bureau of Land Management to revoke a decision allowing bison to graze on 63,000 acres of prairie grasslands in Montana, allotments that were previously classified for only cattle by the BLM. American Prairie manages a herd of approximately 900 bison. In 2022, under the Biden Administration, the BLM authorized bison to graze on seven allotments that connect to lands owned and managed by American Prairie.

“By revoking these leases, the Bureau of Land Management is undermining its own mission to sustain health, diversity and productivity across our public lands,” said Andrew Bowman, Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO. “Wherever bison graze, they bring true ecological benefit to their environments, as well as to the Native Nations who partner with American Prairie. Defenders stands with American Prairie in the fight to do what’s right for our national mammal.”

Defenders is a longtime partner of American Prairie and its organizational efforts to restore native plains species back to these grasslands. The BLM underwent a considerable environmental assessment and an extensive public comment period prior to 2022 to arrive at its decision to reclassify these grazing leases to allow bison. Bison play a key role in restoring grassland biodiversity, improving soil health and creating “green waves” of plant growth, to the benefit of pollinators, birds and other wildlife.  

Defenders joins American Prairie and EarthJustice in filing a protest against BLM’s proposed decision. Defenders’ protest period runs from January 26 to February 9, 2026. BLM is required to review and consider issues raised in any protests received.  After a final decision by BLM, interested parties will have 30 days to file an administrative appeal.