The Center of Excellence for Bison Studies at the West River Research and Extension facility located in Rapid City is hosting “BISON: A traveling exhibit exploring the past, present, and future of this great North American mammal.”
The traveling exhibit is currently located at the West River Research and Extension facility (711 N Creek Dr.) in Rapid City. The exhibit is open to the public from 8am-5pm MST, Monday through Friday and will be available until Friday, February 4, 2022, with the exception of December 23, 24 and 25, 2021.
“The BISON exhibit is a great way for community members to learn more about our national mammal – from its storied history to its multi-pronged significance as a cultural, conservation, and food animal species today,” said Kristi Cammack, Director of the West River Research and Extension center. “South Dakota is home to the most bison in the country and people want to know more; this traveling exhibit provides a visual experience for youth and adults alike to do just that.”
Owned by the National Buffalo Foundation and the Kaufmann Museum, The BISON exhibit consists of 25 modules that demonstrates the natural history, cultural connections, ecological role, industrial innovation, the early 20th century conservation movement led by President Theodore Roosevelt, uses of bison parts and more.
South Dakota is the number one Bison producing state in the United States. The nearly 40,000 bison in South Dakota represent every part of the bison management system, including federal, state, tribal, private and non-government organization (NGO) sectors.
“Learning about our nation’s relationship with bison is critical to understanding who we are as people today,” said Jeff Martin, Director of Research for the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies. “The bison are among the most adaptable species to adversity and challenges — I think we can learn a little about ourselves with the more we learn about and identify with the bison.”
For more information, contact Jeff Martin, Director of Research for the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies at jeff.martin@sdstate.edu or 605-394-2236.
About the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies at South Dakota State University:
The Center of Excellence for Bison Studies (www.sdstate.edu/bisoncoe) is a partnership between South Dakota State University, the National Bison Association, and the National Buffalo Foundation. Headquartered at SDSU’s West River Research and Extension Facility in Rapid City, South Dakota, the center focuses on research, Extension, and educational activities to improve bison herd health and the economic viability of both private and tribal bison producers.
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