Celebrate National Bison Day: Honoring America’s National Mammal and Its Regenerative Legacy
By NBA Staff
This Saturday, November 1, marks the 2025 observance of National Bison Day, a celebration of the American Bison—our nation’s official National Mammal and a symbol of resilience, restoration, and regeneration. In recognition of this iconic species, the United States Senate once again passed the National Bison Day resolution, continuing a tradition of honoring the bison’s cultural, ecological, and economic significance.
The National Bison Association (NBA) thanks sponsors, Sens. Hoeven (R-ND) and Heinrich (D-NM) for seeing this bill through despite the current government shutdown.
Once teetering on the brink of extinction with fewer than 1,000 animals remaining due to unregulated hunting, drought, and disease, the bison’s story is one of remarkable recovery. Thanks to a visionary coalition of ranchers, conservationists, tribal leaders, and federal officials, the species has rebounded to over 400,000 animals across North America. This enduring partnership led to the bison’s designation as the National Mammal in 2016 and continues to drive its restoration to native landscapes.
On National Bison Day, communities across the country—including bison farms and ranches, zoos, Native American tribes, museums, parks, and more—will host events to celebrate the species and educate the public. The NBA, a not-for-profit trade association representing bison producers in every U.S. state, Canadian province, and six countries, invites all bison enthusiasts to join in the festivities and learn more about this extraordinary animal at nationalbison.org.
Today’s bison producers are stewards of the land, replicating the species’ innate grazing behavior through regenerative ranching practices that support healthy grasslands, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. Bison are “Regenerative by Nature”—undomesticated animals that retain their natural instincts, birth cycles, and self-sufficiency. They are not artificially inseminated, do not receive growth stimulants, and are raised without branding, castration, or selective breeding. This approach ensures humane treatment that preserves the species’ integrity while producing a lean, nutrient-dense meat that has become a sought-after delicacy among chefs and households alike.
Bison’s unique role in sustainable agriculture has positioned it as a thriving sector in the American marketplace. Bison meat is entirely born, raised, and processed in the U.S. and Canada. As consumer demand grows, so does the need for responsible producers. The NBA is actively recruiting new bison stewards who adhere to its ethical standards and holistic management practices.
As we celebrate National Bison Day, we honor not just the animal itself, but the collaborative spirit that saved it, the regenerative practices that sustain it, and the communities that continue to champion its success. Join us in recognizing the American Bison—a living symbol of resilience, restoration, and regeneration.