Oklahoma

Oklahoma Bison

Two bison forcefully butting heads.
Bison at Tallgrass Prairie Bison sparring at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma. © 2014 Morgan Heim for The Nature Conservancy

Support Bison and Tallgrass Prairie Conservation in Oklahoma

Since 1986, we have worked to conserve Oklahoma’s magnificent landscapes and unique biodiversity totaling more than 100,000 acres. When you donate today, you will help ensure a thriving natural environment for future generations of Oklahoma.

Close-up of a bison herd beginning to stampede.
Rumbling Earth A glimpse inside the shuffle as the bison begin to stampede. © Harvey Payne/TNC
A group of bison in a corral.
Bison Corral Bison awaiting their yearly vaccinations at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma. © David Smith
Close-up of a bison calf with mom.
American Bison (Bison bison) roam and graze the spring grasses across the mor... American Bison (Bison bison) roam and graze the spring grasses across the more than 40,000 acre Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. At the time of the roundup, most of the approximately 2,000 head of bison had been herded towards the western side of the preserve in zones near the headquarters and corrals. The green grasses and blackened trees are the result of prescribed spring fires, which coupled with grazing bison, make up two major processes vital for maintaining a healthy prairie ecosystem. The bison are currently threatened by an outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis. © Morgan Heim
Close-up of a bison's face from a camera trap.
American bison A camera trap set up on the prairie at captures a curious bison. © Morgan Heim
Speciality bison-themed license plate.
Bison license plate. Bison License plate © Amy Fernandez/TNC
Image of bison with overlaid video play button.
Bison Roundup Bison stampede into corrals during bison roundup at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. © Going West Productions
Birds-eye view of bison roundup.
Bison Roundup PBS documentarian Michael Werner takes a look at how bison are saving America's lost prairies. © Michael Werner/PBS
Close-up of a bison herd beginning to stampede.
Rumbling Earth A glimpse inside the shuffle as the bison begin to stampede. © Harvey Payne/TNC

6 Furry Facts About Bison

Learn how The Nature Conservancy is protecting the iconic American bison and using this incredible animal as a tool to restore the tallgrass prairie.

A group of bison in a corral.
Bison Corral Bison awaiting their yearly vaccinations at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma. © David Smith

OK Prairies, a Weapon Against Climate Change

A coalition of ranchers, environmentalists and Osage Nation landowners are working together to save the grasslands.

Close-up of a bison calf with mom.
American Bison (Bison bison) roam and graze the spring grasses across the mor... American Bison (Bison bison) roam and graze the spring grasses across the more than 40,000 acre Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. At the time of the roundup, most of the approximately 2,000 head of bison had been herded towards the western side of the preserve in zones near the headquarters and corrals. The green grasses and blackened trees are the result of prescribed spring fires, which coupled with grazing bison, make up two major processes vital for maintaining a healthy prairie ecosystem. The bison are currently threatened by an outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis. © Morgan Heim

Bison Roundup at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Each fall, the bison herd is roundup for vaccinations and health checks. Learn how The Nature Conservancy manages over 2,000 animals.

Close-up of a bison's face from a camera trap.
American bison A camera trap set up on the prairie at captures a curious bison. © Morgan Heim

A Shot in the Dark

Confronting a deadly disease among the bison at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve may save herds across the country.

Speciality bison-themed license plate.
Bison license plate. Bison License plate © Amy Fernandez/TNC

Join the Herd

Join the growing number of Oklahomans who are supporting conservation in style by sporting this awesome bison license plate.

Image of bison with overlaid video play button.
Bison Roundup Bison stampede into corrals during bison roundup at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. © Going West Productions

2020

LIVE Bison Roundup

Live from the corrals at the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska, OK, Harvey Payne takes us on a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to roundup over 2,500 bison each fall.

Birds-eye view of bison roundup.
Bison Roundup PBS documentarian Michael Werner takes a look at how bison are saving America's lost prairies. © Michael Werner/PBS

Saving Prairies

PBS documentarian Michael Werner takes a look at how bison are saving America's lost prairies.

Field of coneflowers at sunset.
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Sunset over the prairie illuminates a field of coneflowers. © Harvey Payne