Bison bash: Celebrating and conserving prairie powerhouses 

On Nov. 2, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) hosted a lively celebration of National Bison Day at Kankakee Sands in Northern Indiana, highlighting the importance of bison in our ecosystems and showcasing conservation efforts.National Bison Day has been celebrated across the country since 2012, honoring the contribution they have made to America and encouraging preservation practices for generations to come. TNC’s celebration at Kankakee Sands brought educational activities, guided tours and the opportunity to see these majestic animals up close. Bison ancestors migrated from southern Asia to North America around 400,000 years ago, according to the US Department of the Interior.As time went on, the American bison came to be a symbol and vital part of Native American culture, providing food, clothing, shelter, tools and more for the tribes. Historically, bison were found across the state of Indiana as an integral part of the grasslands.In the 1800s, the bison population was decimated by market hunting and the Army in an attempt to forcibly remove Native Americans from their homes and take away their main food source. By the late 1880s, the population was nearly extinct.Recovery efforts expanded in the mid-20th century. Reintroductions and preservation efforts by organizations like TNC have brought...