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Historic homecoming: Reintroducing Plains Bison to Banff National Park
Wild bison disappeared from what is now called Banff National Park in 1885. As a keystone species, their loss has led to a reduction in biodiversity and loss of ecosystem function. Bison are ecosystem engineers that help maintain habitat diversity for many plants and animals, particularly in grassy meadows, and the movement of their herds redistributes nutrients and energy resources throughout the ecosystem. The disappearance of bison has also affected Indigenous peoples, who have important cultural and historical connections with bison. The Banff Bison Reintroduction project aimed to bring bison back to Banff National Park to support ecosystem integrity, renew cultural connections, and generate learning and stewardship opportunities. The project included collaboration with many First Nations, controlled burns in grasslands and shrublands to improve forage for grazing, phased reintroduction of Plains Bison, installation of deflection fencing to encourage bison excursions. | For more information about the project, please read the Report on the Plains Bison Reintroduction Pilot: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/info/gestion-management/bison/rapport-mai-reintroduction-may-report#section-2 AND visit the Bison Blog: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/info/gestion-management/bison/blog
Potential conservation benefits in saving biodiversity
Potential reduction of species extinction risk resulting from threat abatement actions
Absolute value (STAR)
0.1% of the total biodiversity conservation potential of Canada is covered by this project.
0.4% of The Americas's biodiversity conservation potential is from Canada.
45.4% of global biodiversity conservation potential is from The Americas.
The chart below represents the relative disaggregation of the selected contribution's total potential opportunity for reducing global species extinction risk through taking actions to abate different threats to species within its boundaries. The percentages refer to the amount of the total opportunity that could potentially be achieved through abating that particular threat.