Dakota County Prepares For Return Of American Plains Bison

Press release from the Dakota County Government:

July 30, 2021

Dakota County broke ground on a project to reintroduce the American plains bison to Spring Lake Park Reserve during a ceremony Friday, July 30.

County leaders, Dakota tribal officials, community partners and the public gathered to celebrate the planned return of bison to land it once roamed freely prior to European settlement.

The county will reintroduce up to 15 bison in fall 2022. Bison will help manage and diversify roughly 160 acres of prairie in the park near Hastings and Rosemount. Bison graze primarily on grasses, allowing wildflowers to thrive. Their grazing also contributes to new plant growth by pushing seeds into the soil.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, who attended the event, applauded the county, state legislators and others involved in the project.

“Drought conditions across the state are highlighting the importance of grasses and biodiversity on the land," Petersen said. “The multiple benefits that this is going to bring to this area and to this park are going to be seen."

The project was made possible with a Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $560,000. The funding was recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources and approved by state lawmakers. It will be used to build fencing around large paddocks where the bison will be located and other improvements to ensure the safety of bison, park visitors and county staff.

Visitors can look forward to opportunities to view and learn about the bison in the park. Some areas where bison will graze are visible from the Mississippi River Greenway.

Bison have a strong historical and cultural connection to Indigenous populations. The Tribal Historical Preservation Office of the Upper Sioux Community has consulted during both design and pre-construction archaeological surveys. The Upper Sioux Community and other local Indigenous communities are supportive of the project. Shelley Buck, president of the Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council, applauded the county's efforts to bring bison to the park and to teach others about the importance of having the animals on native lands.

“We're committed to honoring the important relationship between the bison and the Dakota people," Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik said.

The county is partnering with the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd, led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Zoo, to establish a herd of 500 animals with no detectable cattle genes.

This press release was produced by the Dakota County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.