American Buffalo: Spirit of a Nation
Monday, September 28th, 2009
PBS’ Nature Series includes American Buffalo: Spirit of a Nation. Here is a brief introduction:
Buffalo were the lords of the prairie. To European settlers traveling across America’s Great Plains in the early 1800s, the prairie wind was a constant companion: a gentle whisper echoing across the vast sea of grass that carpeted the center of the North American continent.
Sometimes, however, the rumbling of thunder could be heard in the distance, though no storm clouds could be seen. Then the ground would begin to tremble, and suddenly the astonished newcomers would be surrounded by a thundering herd of hulking animals that stretched further than the eye could see. The majestic welcoming committee made it clear that the settlers had, at last, arrived in the buffalo nation — a land where tens of million of American Bison held sway.
The NATURE program American Buffalo: Spirit of a Nation tells the sad story of how the buffalo nation was destroyed nearly a century ago by greed and uncontrolled hunting — and how a few visionaries are working today to rebuild the once-great bison herds. It offers a remarkable portrait of America’s last significant wild bison herd, made up of a few thousand animals living within Montana’s Yellowstone National Park. And it highlights the efforts of Native American leaders dedicated to bringing back the animal that once gave life to their tribes.
The bison population in Yellowstone National Park continues to rebound after a massive die-off in the herd two winters ago. More than 1,600 Yellowstone bison were killed in 2008 as they attempted to migrate to lower elevations in Montana in search of food.
T. David had a chance to visit Big Bone Lick State Park and was pleasantly surprised to discover a herd of bison. The bison are part of an effort to ensure their continued existence in the United States. These magnificent beasts once ruled the prairie, but indiscriminate hunting reduced their numbers to less than 1000. Through conservation efforts and "captive" herds, such as the one at Big Bone Lick State Park, bison are no longer an endangered species.
Melissa is a homeschool mom to three beautiful children ages 12, 10, and 3. They use Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophies of learning the natural, everyday hands-on life way. They especially enjoy learning and growing together beyond the classroom doors in God’s amazing creation in nature.

