For several years, bison supporters maintained a "Vote Bison" campaign seeking to make the American bison the "National Mammal of the United States" and have National Bison Day officially designated as the first Saturday in November each year. On May 9, 2016, the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into law, officially making the American bison the national mammal of the United States.
The purpose of National Bison Day is to encourage celebration of the American Bison, also commonly known as the American buffalo, a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds, became nearly extinct by a combination of commercial Bison hunting and slaughter in the 19th century and introduction of bovine diseases from domestic cattle.
As noted in Senate resolutions, bison are considered a historical symbol of the United States, and were integrally linked with the economic and spiritual lives of many Native American tribes through trade and sacred ceremonies. Bison can also play an important role in improving the types of grasses found in landscapes to the benefit of grasslands and hold significant economic value for private producers and rural communities.
Now hold on just a minute!!!
Look, I get it. We, as geocachers, tend to think of something else when we hear the term "bison." Its arguably the most popular cache continer after the ammo can. We delight in its compact design, its sleek appereance, the many shapes, sizes and colors we've encountered in our adventures.
So let's celebrate -as a caching community- all things BISON on this day!
This event will be a bring your own picnic lunch.
Everyone will receive bison-related door prizes just for attending this jolly jamboree. So please mark your "will attend" so I can get an idea of how many people will be celebrating on this fine day.
Stay tuned for more info...