Good Morning One of the first things that I do when I join a hew group, is browse through the archives. Which I did. I already belong to several Cherokee groups. I am one of those whose heritage was hidden. But I felt it. And when my mother died, I went on a hunt. Within two days the doors were open. The first thing I learned was my HOUSE linage goes all the way back to the Delaware Lenni-Lenape, Chief Big Thunder and Bright Lightning.And COLEMAN etc. The second important thing I learned, was my grandfather, ROBERT LEE GORDON, was born at Gordonsville VA , 1887. He states in Documentation," his people are from Virginia" The third thing I learned was my other grandparents' gramdparents Edmonds and Alderman, are found at Shawnee Salt Lick Ohio.adjacent to TECSUMSEH's road. Everyone on the census sheet is from MurderKillHundred, Kent County, Delaware. Since those discoveries, I have become a serious Researcher, Writer and Genealogist. Along the way I have accumulated a Elder/Mentor, who also is Cherokee-Lenni-Lenape, who prefers to remain anonymous to outsiders. Because of my in depth research I am led to believe that my grandfather may be the illegedimate grandson of General Robert E Lee, based on General and Governor of Georgia, John B Gordon's "memoirs" My grandfather was the son of REBECCA BYRD TALBOT AND O B ( BYRD) GORDON. tHE "O" is Odin, a nick name BUT I BELIEVE HE WAS, : JAMES B GORDON of South Dakota. I have researched it all within great depth. I have read many documents and many OLD books. I have learned of the Georgia "Gordons" who were cousins to Robert E Lee. I know that the Great Chickamauga Battle ( 160,000 men) took place on my relative's property, the Lee & Gordon Mills on the ChicKamouga Creek. My House relative, John Tippy HOUSE ( Haus 1660) made it down to North Carolina and married Lydia Ann BENGE. His grandson is JAMES HOUSE who went to Montana. My great grandfather was James A HOUSE of Illinois and Montana, where my father was born. ALFRED LEE GORDON When my grandfather JAMES A HOUSE married Ada Juanita House. the Lenni-Lenape and Cherokee, had merged again. Please do not hesitate to tell me anything or ask me questions. BARB aka Earthfeather

Dear Friends of the Buffalo, We apologize but need to make a correction to one of the APHIS emails we posted in today's Update from the Field. The email address for Dr. Ryan Clarke, USDA-APHIS, was missing a letter and should read as follows: [email protected] We apologize for this mistake and appreciate your taking action by contacting APHIS to let them know how you feel about their invasive study on wild bull buffalo. ROAM FREE! Buffalo Field Campaign

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field April 29, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * NEW VIDEO: Pokin' Fun at the Government-Run Buffalo Slaughter * Share BFC's YouTube Videos: Spread the Word to Save the Herds * Spend an Evening with Jackson Browne & Help BFC * BFC Looking for Summer Education Volunteers * Last Words * Kill Tally * Useful Links ------------------------------ *Update from the Field April in Yellowstone's high country tends to bring all four seasons together at once: blizzards, warm sunshine, powerful winds, enormous dark clouds, blue skies and rain all make their appearances in a day, sometimes all at once. Calving season has recently begun and volunteers are being blessed with special signs that the next generation of wild buffalo is on its way. It is no wonder that such weather would accompany the birthing time of this sacred species. Here's a lovely photo by a BFC volunteer of new buffalo and its mom: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/NewBabyonButte_4-2010_cindy.jpg A formidable threat awaits these buffalo. Not the natural predator of bear, wolf, or lion, but the beast of greed that takes human shape: government agents unjustly catering to livestock interests will soon arrive with harmful intentions to force these buffalo - with horse, ATV, truck, helicopter and law enforcement - off of their native habitat in Montana. On Monday, BFC witnessed the season's first harassment operation as Montana Department of Livestock's Shane Grube and Jim Smolzynski, local game warden for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, hazed a group of 18 buffalo off of a section of their migration corridor along the lands south of the Madison River. There is a small private ranch there, but no cattle will arrive until late June. This one private cattle pasture, one landowner, drives the government's shameful mistreatment of America's last wild buffalo on this portion of their habitat. The USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has victimized more bull buffalo since we last wrote. At least eleven bulls have been molested by APHIS on Gallatin National Forest lands west of Yellowstone. A total of sixteen have so far been targeted in Gardiner, north of the Park. Most of the bulls APHIS has drugged and violated were originally in family groups or bull groups, but days after APHIS left the bulls, they've yet to re-join their comrades. The drugs APHIS is using to wake the bulls back up causes anxiety, anger and excitement that can last for several days. The bulls are left humiliated and confused, and likely in pain from the enormous anal probe. Yesterday, a resident of the town of West Yellowstone let us know he spotted one of these "blue striped bulls" wandering through a housing area. See this photo of a drugged bull buffalo, donning a new blue stripe courtesy of APHIS: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/APHIS_drugged_striped_me_4-2010_cindy.jpg It has been agonizing and frustrating for volunteers to document APHIS's actions. Tensions toward these so-called scientists have risen with each bull we witness being drugged, violated, and painted. APHIS has called in law enforcement now, refusing to talk to us, ignoring accountability for their invasive, unwelcome, and needless actions against the buffalo. At the time of this writing, our stand-by patrol was called out because APHIS was seen near Horse Butte. Likely, today, more bull buffalo will be raped. The lack of integrity and need for APHIS' study is strongly underscored by Yellowstone National Park's refusal to issue them permits to conduct this research inside the Park. Check our web site http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org this weekend for a new video from BFC about what APHIS is doing to these bulls. Please contact the lead participants in this APHIS bull bison study and tell them to stop molesting bull bison! - Dr. Ryan Clark: [email protected] / 406-388-5162 - Becky Frey: [email protected] / 406-522-7770 On a brighter note, and one that has direct positive results for buffalo and other area wildlife, BFC has resumed habitat improvement projects along Gallatin National Forest's Duck Creek migration corridor. We began our "off-fence, de-fence" project with the removal of barbed wire this winter, and now BFC has begun pulling up the fence posts. The transition from an imprisoned landscape to open area is a beautiful breath of fresh air! We've had the pleasure of seeing some bull groups and mixed groups of buffalo using this now fenceless area, with no barbed wire for them to get cut by or tangled in. One day, not too far from now, the management scheme and mad science that binds the buffalo will also be removed. ROAM FREE! ------------------------------ * NEW BFC VIDEO: Pokin' Fun at the Government-Run Buffalo Slaughter Will McKillum gives his comment at the Interagency Bison Management Plan meeting on April 14, 2010. As a member of Buffalo Allies of Bozeman, he gave a satirical speech arguing that the livestock industry hasn't gone far enough in its persecution of wild buffalo. Enjoy this video and share it with your friends: http://wwww.buffalofieldcampaign.org/ ------------------------------ * Share BFC's YouTube Videos: Spread the Word to Save the Herds This is a call to those who would like to volunteer at home or at work: BFC has a growing number of videos on YouTube (over 80 of them), of our footage from the field that shows how the government and livestock industry is harming America's last wild buffalo. These videos are a terrific way to spread the word about what's happening to America's last continuously wild population of buffalo! There are different ways to get these messages out there, * Emailing YouTube links to family, friends, co-workers, etc. * Posting on your Facebook or Myspace profile * Search for various blogs and news sites that may be interested in posting some of the BFC content and email them a link * Search for people in various arenas that may not be informed, but would want to help; veterinarians, historical societies, foundations, writers, conservation groups, Native American communities and youth organizations, etc. Use your imagination for different ways to help spread the word to save the herds! Thank you!! ------------------------------ * Spend an Evening with Jackson Browne & Help Buffalo Field Campaign Buffalo Field Campaign supporters have a special opportunity to see Jackson Browne with David Lindley on August 3 at Montana State University in Bozeman. Proceeds from these special tickets to some of the best seats in the house allow you to meet Jackson Browne in person after the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/jacksonbrowne.html. ------------------------------ * BFC Looking for Summer Education Volunteers Buffalo Field Campaign still has a few openings for summer education and outreach volunteers. If you can commit to spending three weeks with us, most of which will be spent inside Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, to help educate Park visitors about what's happening to America's last wild buffalo, please get in touch! Drop a line to [email protected] or call 406-646-0070 with questions or to apply. Thank you! ------------------------------ * Last Words "The buffalo ran at us as if we were family separated in tragedy and at last reunited in the most harmonious of gatherings. Each of our movements is slow and quiet driven by our hearts as not to overwhelm our surroundings. We breathe gently amidst our friends, gathering feelings of heartache and distress over our separation tossing them behind us. We are free now and stand as one again. Our smiles fill the blue skies and our play shakes the ground beneath us... This is why we are here... To emanate this vision, this experience, from within Yellowstone clear out over its borders with stampeding force back into the Great Plains, to the Florida Peninsula, to our growing allies in the east, throughout Appalachia, and beyond our fictional, political, and arbitrary boundaries to settle as seeds yearning to germinate on the vast lands of the North American continent. We are with the bison and the bison with us to see that this vision, these seeds, take root." ~ Tristam Coffin, BFC Volunteer, 2007 Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally *AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S.* 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortality ----------------------------- Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42

I sat here since 6 am, the sun was already well over the horizon. Made me feel like I got up late so set the clock for 5 am. I will sure be glad when all the weather systems calm down and we can enjoy the out doors for the summer. Dan

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field April 22, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * LAST DAY to Order Mother's Day Cards! * Urgent: Take Three Minutes to Help BFC Today! * Watch the Genesis Awards: Honoring Animal Defense Media * Help Buffalo by Spending an Evening with Jackson Browne * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ *Update from the Field Along Yellowstone's western boundary, the Duck Creek, Cougar Creek and Madison River corridors are flowing with the migration of the country's last wild buffalo. Buffalo families, solitary bulls, and bachelor bull groups beautifully ignore the ecologically meaningless man-made boundaries between Yellowstone and Montana as they spiral through this tiny fraction of their native homeland. As they gently graze the new spring grasses, they are taking a lead role in healing the wounded land that suffers in their absence. And in so doing, they also lift our spirits. Volunteers have been engaged in a total celebration of buffalo, and this week, we were gifted with the sightings of two newborn calves. Patrols have also been blessed with the sightings of a grizzly bear, Sandhill cranes, white pelicans, otters, ospreys, bluebirds, great blue herons, bald eagles, moose, flickers, and many of the area's animal inhabitants. This region, while sadly just a wee dot on the map, is huge in its wild majesty. The buffalo's spring migration has been keeping BFC quite busy along Highway 191, which cuts through the buffalo's migration corridors. Patrols have been out at all hours, into the early morning darkness, warning traffic and helping buffalo (and motorists) survive this aspect of their journey. BFC's night patrols are a huge boon to the buffalo and the community, and while it's truly the responsibility of the State, Montana looks to BFC and we are honored to offer this service that has a direct and positive impact. BFC will continue to call on Montana to do more, including construct safe-passage projects that allow wildlife to cross the highway without setting foot on the asphalt. For bull buffalo, the celebration has turned into a confusing nightmare. After molesting 8 bull buffalo along Yellowstone's northern boundary, the USDA-Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has arrived in West Yellowstone. Beginning yesterday on Horse Butte, APHIS drugged and collected semen from five bulls - some as young as two and a half years old - in their "study" to determine what is already known: that bull buffalo pose no measurable risk of transmitting brucellosis to cattle. Under this extremely invasive study APHIS first darts the bulls to inject a drug to knock them out, then collects their semen by inserting a large vibrating probe in their anus. Before injecting the downed bulls with the reversal agent that wakes them, they spray-paint a thick blue line across their magnificent hind quarters. There will be no benefit for wild buffalo coming from this totally unnecessary and shameful study. While BFC was documenting the first bull that went down, one of the APHIS technicians rudely and purposefully stepped in front of our camera, trying to prevent BFC from filming, causing a confrontation. He failed to stop us. Later in the day, patrols reported that APHIS agents were cracking jokes about the invasive work they were doing, making a mockery of how they were "handling" the bulls. In another instance, after APHIS darted a mature bull out of a bachelor group, one of the buffalo's buddies got extremely upset and wanted to investigate what had happened to his friend, much like we witness during the buffalo hunt. He approached APHIS with his tail up, ready to charge and defend his comrade. APHIS responded by pepper-spraying the bull with bear-spray. A brief discussion with APHIS after they were done with their "data collection" yesterday revealed to us that the drugs they use on the bulls can cause them to overheat, disturb gastrointestinal functions, and cause anxiety and anger. They then monitor the bulls for a mere 30 minutes and then set their sights on another. The young bull who was targeted yesterday was so confused and visibly humiliated he left his family group and ended up walking through a near-by neighborhood on Horse Butte. We wonder if APHIS is warning Horse Butte residents that they are injecting bull bison with anger-inducing drugs? Today, APHIS is again in our backyard, on the buffalo's home turf. So far today, patrols report that no bulls have been molested by APHIS. They are being escorted around the area by a MT Department of Livestock agent, looking for "test subjects." APHIS let us know that they will continue to target bull buffalo until the DOL gives them the heads up that hazing operations will begin. BFC will be with the buffalo, as we always are, ready to document all actions made against them, so we can share their story and turn the tide - with your help - towards a future where wild buffalo take precedence over the economic interests of the cattle industry. Together, we will realize our vision of self-willed buffalo walking the earth as they please, with honor and respect bestowed upon them and their sacred relationship to the Earth. For the buffalo, for all things wild and free, celebrate Earth Day everyday! ROAM FREE! ------------------------------ * LAST DAY to Order Mother's Day Cards! CARD PHOTO Buffalo Field Campaign's original, hand-colored Mother's Day cards are selling fast. These beautiful cards make the perfect gift. For a minimum donation of $15 per card, we'll send one to the recipient(s) of your choice, timed to arrive before Mother's Day. Your purchase of a Mother's Day card helps Buffalo Field Campaign continue fighting for wild bison and their rightful place on the land. To place your order, click here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=IBky6mNH7R5ntdNYCY0d%2BZAg4Pr074nI OR send a $15 check or money order (no cash please) to Buffalo Field Campaign, PO Box 957, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. Remember to clearly state the name and address of the person/people you'd like us to send the card to as well as any message you'd like us to write in the card. Deadline for placing orders is midnight tonight, Thursday, April 22nd. ------------------------------ * Urgent: Take 3 Minutes to Help Buffalo Field Campaign Today If you believe in the work of BFC then please help tell the world. Here is a great opportunity to help us make even more of a difference for the buffalo. GreatNonprofits is conducting a campaign to find the top-rated environmental nonprofits based on testimonials from supporters and volunteers. Please help us participate in the contest by posting a review of BFC's work. All reviews will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. It's easy and only takes 3 minutes! Go to: http://www.greatnonprofits.org/reviews/buffalo-field-campaign Be sure to choose "*Green Choice Campaign" from the drop down menu of campaigns when writing your review. With your help, we can gain greater visibility and become an even stronger voice for the buffalo. Thank You! Dan Brister Buffalo Field Campaign ------------------------------ * Watch the Genesis Awards: Honoring Animal Defense Media "Buffalo Battle," the TV documentary that highlights the buffalo issue and the work of Buffalo Field Campaign was nominated for the Humane Society's Genesis Awards, which honors media that helps to defend and protect animals. Mike Mease traveled to Hollywood on March 20, to represent BFC at the awards ceremony, where he met many influential people that are inspired by BFC's work. While "Buffalo Battle" didn't win, the nomination highlights BFC's "significant contribution toward making this world a more humane place for all animals." Animal Planet will be airing a one-hour TV Special of the 24th Genesis Awards this Saturday and Sunday, which will show highlights from "Buffalo Battle." Please tune in with your friends and family on April 24 at 12:00 noon ET/PT and again on Sunday, April 25 at 1:00pm ET/PT. Many thanks to the Humane Society for the nomination of "Buffalo Battle" for the Genesis Awards. To learn more visit http://www.humanesociety.org/about/events/genesi! s_awards/ ------------------------------ * Help Buffalo By Spending an Evening with Jackson Browne Buffalo Field Campaign supporters have a special opportunity to see Jackson Browne with David Lindley on August 3 at Montana State University in Bozeman. Proceeds from these special tickets to some of the best seats in the house allow you to meet Jackson Browne in person after the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/jacksonbrowne.html. ------------------------------ * Last Words "OUR ANCIENT ONES" Tree Limbs, Wild Dancing Today On the Backs, Of Winter Winds Water And Salt, Cedar With Sage Burn To Purify, Our Ancestors Way Grandmothers Sing, Sweet Medicine Song Calling Spirit Shadows, Burials Gone Wrong Cutting Our Mother Womb, Down And Down Beading Creator Prayers, Round And Round Clan Mother Ceremony, River Buffalo Die Bear Totem Wilderness, Cross Yellowstone Lie Rebury Our Bones, Ancient Ones Say Rocking The Shelves, Prisoners In Boxes Spirits Of Clans, Buffalo, Wolf, Foxes Rocky Mountain Massacre, Buried Grandfathers Cry Bear Grease And Ash, Hungry Spirits Today Hungry Spirits Today, Hungry Spirits Today ~ by Nancy Red Star, Descendant of Wa-Li. "The Ancient Ones" is an excerpt from "Bear Grease And Ash" Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ ** Kill Tally* *AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S.* 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortality ----------------------------- Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field April 15, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * Only One Week Left to Order Mother's Day Cards! * Going Fast! Special Jackson Browne Tickets Benefit BFC * Volunteer with BFC this Summer in Yellowstone Country! * BFC Wish List: Winter-Ready Tipis * Alternet Story Gets Bison Issue Right * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Update from the Field Along Yellowstone's western boundary, BFC has been basking in the natural phenomenon of buffalo migration these past few weeks. More than 300 wild American buffalo are completing the landscape with their graceful and critical presence; healing the land, lifting our spirits, helping make whole the break in the heart of the earth. With no agents harassing the buffalo yet, we have been thoroughly enjoying time with the wondrous gentle giants. This morning, patrols were given an extra special gift with the first sign of the next generation of buffalo: little tiny footprints out on Horse Butte. Patrols didn't get a chance to spot the newborn calf itself yet, but these perfect baby tracks are the harbinger that calving season is finally upon us! Welcome to the world, buffalo! But, what kind of world awaits them? For now, the world they know is one of relative peace, time to grow strong, rest fully, play and learn how to be self-willed buffalo, walking and napping next to their protective mothers, following in the footsteps of their families. Unfortunately, the chaos of government harassment will soon descend upon the buffalo, shattering this stillness, disrupting the sacred. The Montana Department of Livestock has said it is only a matter of time before they make their notorious efforts with their government partners to rid Montana of the last wild buffalo. On Wednesday and Thursday, BFC attended the Interagency Bison Management Plan meetings; a grueling eight hours of listening to talking heads making decisions that have dire impacts on the buffalo and all who share their landscape. The agencies have stated that as soon as enough snow melts, hazing operations will begin. These harmful and unnecessary operations, in which buffalo are chased, captured, and slaughtered, are insisted upon by Montana's livestock industry due to the unfounded fears of the livestock industry that wild bison will transmit brucellosis to cattle that aren't even here. Along Yellowstone's northern boundary, near Gardiner, Montana, BFC has been running full patrols once again. The groups of buffalo that were hazed by Yellowstone National Park last week have maintained their presence on the landscape, but have not been harassed again since we last wrote. We are keeping a close eye on these buffalo, and we are also in a bit of a bind: our base of operations in Gardiner is no longer available to us until next season, and if the buffalo decide to push the Park's man-made boundaries they will be in dire trouble and we will need to be there with them. Camping is not an option due to our video and radio needs, so we may need to set up in a hotel if the buffalo need us there. Please help us prepare by donating here https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Also in Gardiner, bull buffalo are currently being harassed and drugged as the USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has begun their bull bison study, despite the lack of public support or scientific necessity. So far, since Monday, seven adult bull bison have been darted with tranquilizer, probed, and tested. After APHIS takes what they want from the bulls, they are marking them with blue paint. BFC has been documenting the incidents and we will soon share this footage with you. Though cattle interests and the government that backs them are currently dominating the buffalo's lives and landscape, the tides slowly but surely turn. Native Americans, including the Nez Perce, the Confederated Salish-Kootenai, and the InterTribal Buffalo Council (previously the InterTribal Bison Cooperative) are now fully seated at the Interagency Bison Management Plan table, and they are lending the wisdom, respect and vision for the buffalo that these U.S. and Montana government agencies so badly need. A Nez Perce representative, Larry Greene, reminded the agencies that one of the stated goals of the IBMP is to "conserve a free-ranging, wild population of buffalo" and that it is this fundamental issue to which the agencies must return. The Tribal voice will be a strong one, and buffalo advocates can expect positive change to come from First Nations who are finally represented equally in issues affecting the last wild population of buffalo. Your voice will also count as Montana begins to look to the future for wild buffalo in Montana. You can help shape that future no matter where you live by taking part in this brief survey from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park's http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/management/bison/. Please lend your voice, your heart and your vision to the future of wild buffalo roaming free on the lands that are their birthright. Thank you all for being with us, for the buffalo. We would not be here with the buffalo without your support. You are Buffalo Field Campaign. Thank you. Roam Free! ------------------------------ * Only One Week Left to Order a BFC Mother's Day Card! Buffalo Field Campaign's original, hand-colored Mother's Day cards are selling fast. These beautiful cards make the perfect Mother's Day gift. For a minimum donation of $15 per card, we'll send one to the recipient(s) of your choice, timed to arrive before Mother's Day.Your purchase of a Mother's Day card helps Buffalo Field Campaign continue fighting for wild bison and their rightful place on the land. To place your order, click here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=IBky6mNH7R5ntdNYCY0d%2BZAg4Pr074nI or send a $15 check or money order (no cash please) to Buffalo Field Campaign, PO Box 957, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. Remember to clearly state the name and address of the person/people you'd like us to send the card to as well as any message you'd like us to write in the card. /Deadline for placing orders is Thursday, April 22nd. ------------------------------ * Going Fast! Special Jackson Browne Tickets Benefit BFC Buffalo Field Campaign supporters have a special opportunity to see Jackson Browne with David Lindley on August 3 at Montana State University in Bozeman. Proceeds from these special tickets to some of the best seats in the house allow you to meet Jackson Browne in person after the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/jacksonbrowne.html for more information and to purchase your tickets. ------------------------------ * Volunteer with BFC this Summer in Yellowstone Country!* As the days progress in our winter/spring field season we are all aware that glorious time with the bison will soon be over. The cowboys on horseback, ATVs, and helicopter will obliterate the tranquility of the "western management area' which is, incidentally, home to many people and animals. The thought of pregnant mothers and newborn calves being chased for miles and miles for the benefit of the few livestock producers in the area is a constant reminder for us to be organized and prepared to document these occurrences. It is also a reminder of how we need to continue our summer tabling program to inform and educate the public on what is happening to these sacred animals. We have received several emails from prospective volunteers, but WE NEED MORE HELP. Please if you are able to dedicate three weeks of your time to the buffalo, have an interest in educating the public and camping in Yellowstone and Teton Parks this summer, get in touch. If you are not able to commit that time with us maybe you know people who could and are not currently aware of what is happening to the bison. We welcome all interest. Please call 406-646-0070, or email [email protected] Let's continue to work together to create positive and lasting change for wild bison. Thank you. Peet Volunteer Coordinator Buffalo Field Campaign ------------------------------ * BFC Wish List: Winter-Ready Tipis Buffalo Field Campaign stands with the buffalo in one of the coldest climates in the Continental US, the high country of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Many of our long-term coordinators and volunteers have sacrificed the common comforts to live both frugally and peacefully on the landscape by taking our shelter in tipis. This may sound crazy, but it is an extremely efficient and cozy way to live here. Our tipis have stood the tests of time and extreme weather, but they can only take so much. BFC needs a couple of 14 or 16 foot, treated canvas, winter-ready tipis for our long-term volunteers and coordinators. If you can help, please contact Mike at [email protected] or 406-646-0070. Thank you so much for enabling BFC to be in the field with the last wild buffalo! Visit BFC's Wish List to see about other items that help keep our campaign strong. All donations, monetary or in-kind, are tax deductible. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/aboutus/wishlist.html ------------------------------ * News Story Gets Bison Issue Right A great article on the Yellowstone bison has been making the rounds of alternative journalism news sites. First appearing on AlterNet http://www.alternet.org/environment/146264/, then on TruthOut.org http://www.truthout.org/how-ted-turner-scored-yellowstones-bison-herd58341, and now on Counterpunch http://counterpunch.com/frank04132010.html, this in-depth look at the mismanagement of Yellowstone bison reminds us of how one-sided most bison-related stories are. ------------------------------ * Last Words "Bison are a symbol of human mismanagement of nature and getting our relationship right with nature is one of the preoccupations of the 21st century." ~ Harvey Locke, Trustee with Eleanor Luxton Historical Foundation in Banff, who hopes Banff National Park (Canada) will re-establish bison populations. Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ ** Kill Tally* *AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S.* 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortality ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42

Buffalo Field Campaign [ http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org ] Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field April 8, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * Celebrate Mother's Day and Support Wild Buffalo * Special Jackson Browne Tickets Benefit BFC * BFC Needs Summer Volunteers * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Update from the Field Department of Livestock agents, finding too little snow to tear after buffalo on their snowmobiles and too much to chase them with their ATVs, have been prevented from hazing, capturing, and slaughtering bison near West Yellowstone this week. Free for the moment to follow their hearts across their ancestral lands to Horse Butte, buffalo families have been reawakening the land and our spirits with their return. Things haven't been so peaceful for their cousins on the north side. Horseback riders working for the Park Service chased 18 bison last Saturday, blocking their migration along the west side of the Yellowstone River near Gardiner. A second operation a few days later turned the herd around again. With mixed groups of buffalo on the move along both Yellowstone's northern and western boundaries, we are currently maintaining two camps in order to run patrols in both areas. Experienced volunteers are in short supply this year, and those who are here have been spending long and many days in the field, monitoring the bison's migration and standing ready to document the hazing, capture, or slaughter that we know is on the way. If you are an experienced volunteer (and even if you are not) we could definitely use your help this spring. Please contact us and make plans to come volunteer. The truth is that our strength lies in our community, and we're going to need your help to be as effective as we can this spring. There are myriad creative ways for you to help the bison right now including: writing an article or posting a blog, sending a Mother's Day card, seeing Jackson Browne in concert, volunteering in person, and supporting field patrols with a tax-deductible contribution. Eva Vincent, a long-time Buffalo Field Campaign supporter from Helena, shows how it's done this week with her excellent article on the Yellowstone bison that she wrote and had published on this Australian web site: http://www.habitatadvocate.com.au/?p=1648 Laurel Ripple-Capenter, a field volunteer in 2003, describes what BFC's Mother's Day cards mean to her in the piece that follows, which she posted on her blog. To everyone who pitches in to keep BFC a strong and effective force in the field and on the policy front, we thank you! ------------------------------ * Celebrate Mother's Day and Support Wild Buffalo "Every year, I wish my mama a happy mother's day with a handmade card from the Buffalo Field Campaign. She knows to expect the card in the mail each year, and when she opens it, she knows that she's holding a piece of my heart in her hands. Back in 2003, I was lucky enough to spend the winter, spring and summer in the wilderness just outside Yellowstone National Park, hiking through the forest and spending my days alongside some of the most majestic and awe-inspiring creatures that walk this earth, the buffalo. Buffalo Field Campaign is a direct action campaign working in the field 365 days per year, to stop the slaughter of the last continuously wild herd of American bison. As a BFC volunteer, I went into the field everyday, documenting the actions of government agencies against these free-roaming bison, and taking a stand against the injustice of their harassment, capture, and slaughter. Although I can't be there doing the important work of advocating for wildlife anymore, I contribute a tiny bit each year through BFC's Mother's Day Card Fundraiser." --Laurel Ripple-Carpenter, former BFC field volunteer This year our card-maker has committed to 150 original artwork, hand-colored cards with the possibility of exceeding that if she's able; to ensure that your special recipient receives a BFC card, please order early. Your purchase of a Mother's Day card helps Buffalo Field Campaign continue fighting for wild bison and their rightful place on the land. For a minimum $15 donation per card, we'll send one to the recipient(s) of your choice, timed to arrive before Mother's Day. *To order, follow this link: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=754 or send a $15 check or money order (no cash please) to Buffalo Field Campaign, PO Box 957, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. Please remember to clearly state the name and address of the person/people you'd like us to send the card to as well as any message you'd like to include. Deadline for placing orders is Thursday, April 22nd. ------------------------------ *Special Jackson Browne Tickets Benefit BFC Buffalo Field Campaign supporters will have a special opportunity to see Jackson Browne with David Lindley on August 3 at Montana State University in Bozeman. Proceeds from these special tickets, to some of the best seats in the house, allow you to meet Jackson Browne in person after the show, and Purchasers of these tickets intended to share the music and support BFC's efforts will also get to meet Jackson Brown in person after the show! For more information and for a link to Get your tickets [ http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/jacksonbrowne.html ], please visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/jacksonbrowne.html ------------------------------ *BFC Needs Summer Volunteers BFC is still looking for volunteers who can make a minimum three week commitment with the campaign. Tabling starts June 15th and runs through Labor day weekend. It will involve professionally representing BFC and discussing bison management with visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We will provide training. If you are personable, energetic and would like to spend your summer in one of the most beautiful places on earth doing meaningful work, please contact me at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or call 406-646-0070 to learn more. The bison and BFC thank you for all you do. ----------------------------- *Last Words "For the past 200 years these bison have been slaughtered to near extinction. Even as you read this the Montana Department of Livestock is getting ready for their spring hazing of these remnants. This animal that once numbered into the millions is now down to a meager 3,000 and will be even less if they are slaughtered by government agencies as in the past." --Eva Vincent ------------------------------ * Kill Tally *AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S.* 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] [ mailto:[email protected] ] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org [ http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org ] "*BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S.*" KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY [ https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 ] Join Buffalo Field Campaign [ http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 ] -- It's Free! Tell-a-Friend [ http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 ] Take Action! [ http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 ] Unsubscribe [ http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 ] -- ROAM FREE!

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field April 1, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * Big Thanks from Mike for L.A. Hospitality * Buffalo on Capitol Hill: Make Local Contact with Your Members of Congress * Limited Hand Crafted Mother's Day Cards Available from BFC * Special BFC Benefit Tickets Available for Jackson Browne Show! * What Are You Doing This Summer? Volunteer with BFC! * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Update from the Field Buffalo in spring snow storm on Horse Butte: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/HBSpringStorm_sjs.jpg Intense spring blizzards haven't stopped BFC from engaging in a celebration of wild buffalo. Horse Butte and the upper Madison Valley are teeming with the prehistoric shaggy giants, and patrols have been basking in the glory of their company after a long, lonely winter. It is hard to put into words how complete the landscape feels with the buffalo's presence. Ravens, too, are celebrating their return, flying with the herds, performing acrobatic stunts, diving in and out of family groups, and cawing out in joyful jubilation. Profile of a beautiful young buffalo cow: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/BuffaloProfile_HB_sjs.jpg We have had some fantastic, and unintentional intimate encounters with the buffalo. Patrols perched in rock outcroppings at the top of Horse Butte were watching a group of about 100 buffalo when some family groups of about 20 buffalo began to make their way toward us. To prevent spooking them, our only choice was to sit still and quietly let them know we were there. Buffalo of all ages surrounded us; we met yearlings, young bulls, adolescent cows, and gorgeous adult females heavy with calves. They were so curious at our presence, stopping to lock eyes and sniffing the air to gather out scents. They gently walked along, grazing the early grasses, and after about two hours, they walked back towards the larger group. Below are a few links to photos from this awesome encounter. ~ Volunteer watching the buffalo: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/Noah_BuffsHB_sjs.jpg ~ Curious yearling: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/YearlingHB_sjs.jpg ~ Young bulls sparring: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/YounBullsSparHB_sjs.jpg ~ Lovely adolescent cow buffalo: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/YoungBuffaloGal_sjs.jpg ~ Adult females, heavy with calf: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/BigMamasHB_sjs.jpg You can also view more of these photos on BFC's FaceBook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-Field-Campaign/193861605858?ref=ts Thankfully, buffalo crossing the road to reach Horse Butte haven't collided with vehicles. BFC has been out putting up our Buffalo Crossing signs, and we were successful in getting the MT Department of Transportation to turn on the "Animals on Road" highway signs and lower the speed limit from 70mph to 55mph, which the periodic presence of a MT Highway Patrol has been enforcing. The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) has not yet taken any actions against the buffalo, but it is only a matter of time. The weather is currently staving off management operations, as ground conditions, blizzards, and extreme winds are preventing the DOL from using their usual vehicles of harassment. For now, all is as it should be: wild buffalo roaming free on portions of the lands that are their birthright. But what is the future of wild buffalo in Montana? You can help determine it. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) wants to hear from you about your ideas and perspectives on restoring fence-less populations of wild bison in Montana. It is important that wild bison advocates everywhere participate in this survey. The survey asks your opinions on the pros and cons of wild bison restoration. Pros to consider can include ecological, spiritual, cultural, and tourism benefits; just speak from your heart. Give FWP your vision of having American buffalo roaming wild and free, without fences, in Montana. They also ask about the cons: challenges from the livestock industry, highways, and agricultural lands are a few, but these can be met and mitigated. Imagine wild buffalo roaming out of Yellowstone, no DOL to stop them, no traps to kill them; buffalo walking where they want, filling the plains back up, coexisting with humans, humans making every effort to develop solutions to the challenges. Buffalo wild and free all over the land. It can happen. Together, we will make it so. Share your vision with FWP: http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/management/bison/ ROAM FREE! ------------------------------ * Big Thanks from Mike for L.A. Hospitality I would like to thank and honor the following people for making my trip to the Genesis Awards in Los Angeles possible. First to Matt Testa who never stops fighting for the buffalo and whose documentary "Buffalo Battle" earned us the nomination that was the reason for the trip. Matt and his partner Hallie hosted me as their guest my entire visit. I also owe great thanks to Tom Rogan and Authentic Entertainment for taking the chance on BFC, donating cameras, computers, and even buying my ticket to the awards ceremony. You are truly a bright spot in Hollywood. Jonny & Kristine Vasic have, from the start of this project, been there for Buffalo and Buffalo Field Campaign. You helped with every aspect of this production and have become true friends for life. Jonny even arranged a spectacular last minute benefit that covered all my travel costs. And speaking of the benefit, thank you Laban Pheidias and the 2 Headed Horse for the use of your space and your great work and Prabhat Gautam of Positive TV, Cruzers Pizza and Michelle Sassy, Bettina Rosmarino and Billy Hulting for the beverages. Many of our supporters attended the benefit and helped out everywhere. Especially helpful were Dr. Lorin Lindner and her new husband Matt; Zach & Janae Galanis; Lucas Short; Bridget Schack; and Ali, our new Summer Outreach Coordinator. Each of these people put in hard work to make the benefit a success. Although I felt out of place in the big city, you all helped ease the pain. It was wonderful to have a family-like feeling from all of my new and old friends. Thanks again to all who made this happen. Now I think it is time you all come to Montana and let me return the favor. With the Buffalo, Mike Mease ------------------------------ * Buffalo on Capitol Hill: Make Local Contact with Your Members of Congress BFC's D.C. policy coordinator Josh Osher reports that while Congress is in recess for the spring (until April 11) it is key for buffalo advocates to visit local offices of your representative, make phone calls, and communicate your strong support to: 1. Stop using your tax dollars to fund Montana Department of Livestock and Yellowstone National Park operations that harm or lead to the slaughter of wild buffalo. 2. Use your tax dollars wisely by purchasing livestock grazing rights on land adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, which will open habitat for wild buffalo and other native wildlife forever. Josh reports there is support in Congress for purchasing grazing rights - a solution to a no-end-in-sight conflict that has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars and forever removed 3,200 wild buffalo from land that is their birth right. Buffalo advocates: Contact your member of Congress to support habitat based solutions for America's last wild buffalo to roam free. Check the appropriations roster to see if your member of Congress sits on one of two subcommittees that oversee how your tax dollars are spent. Visit this link to get in touch: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/congress.html For more detailed information on how to persuade Congress, you can review BFC's comments to House members who oversee taxpayer funding affecting America's last wild buffalo. Thank you for supporting the buffalo and BFC's efforts on Capitol Hill! ------------------------------ * Limited Hand Crafted Mother's Day Cards Available from BFC Buffalo Field Campaign is honored to present beautiful, original, hand-colored Mother's Day cards. These cards are suitable for all the nurturing women in your life. Our card-maker has committed to 150 original artwork, hand-colored cards with the possibility of exceeding that if she's able; to ensure that your special recipient receives a BFC card, please order early. Your purchase of a Mother's Day card helps Buffalo Field Campaign continue fighting for wild bison and their rightful place on the land. For your minimum donation of $15 per card, we'll send one to the recipient(s) of your choice, timed to arrive before Mother's Day. To place your order, visit https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=754 or send a $15 check or money order (no cash please) to Buffalo Field Campaign, PO Box 957, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. Remember to clearly state the name and address of the person/people you'd like us to send the card to as well as any message you'd like us to write in the card. Deadline for placing orders (assuming supplies last) is Thursday, April 22nd. ------------------------------ * Jackson Browne Offers Special BFC Benefit Tickets BFC supporters will have a special opportunity to see Jackson Browne with David Lindley perform on August 3 in Bozeman, Montana. Purchasers of these tickets intended to share the music and support BFC's efforts will also get to meet Jackson Brown in person after the show! For more information and for a link to get your tickets, please visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/jacksonbrowne.html ------------------------------ * What Are You Doing this Summer? Volunteer With BFC! IT'S A GO!!! We have found a good friend and past volunteer to coordinate our summer program of information tabling. So we are currently looking for volunteers who can make at least a three week commitment with the campaign. Tabling starts June 15th and runs through Labor day week end. It will involve talking to and educating visitor in beautiful Yellowstone and Teton Parks. You will be trained when you get here and there is information you can read and learn now to help better prepare you for the program. If you are personable, energetic and would like to spend time this summer making a real difference for wild bison please contact me at [email protected] or call 406-646-0070 to learn more. The bison and our campaign thanks you for all you do. Peet Volunteer Coordinator Buffalo Field Campaign ------------------------------ * Last Words "Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another" ~ Juvenal, Roman Poet (Circa late-first, early-second century, CE/AD). This quote can also be found in BFC's beautiful Mother's Day cards, available now. Honor the nurturing women in your life and support the work of BFC. Hurry though: a very limited supply of only 150 cards are available! https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=754 Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field March 25, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Groups File Lawsuit Against FWP for Turner Decision * Update from the Field * Buffalo on Capitol Hill: Contact Congress Today! * Thank you Jackson Browne and David Lindley, Guacamole Productions, and Equal Exchange! * Take a Survey for Wild Buffalo in Montana * A Call Out for Experienced BFC Volunteers: Please Come Home! * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Groups File Lawsuit Against FWP Turner Decision Good news! On Tuesday, BFC with other buffalo advocates filed a lawsuit against Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for their decision to house quarantined Yellowstone buffalo where they can not be accessed by the public on Turner Enterprises Incorporated's (TEI) Green Ranch, and for FWP's decision to pay TEI with the offspring of these buffalo that began their lives as wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. We assert that FWP's decision violates the public trust, and goes against their promise that all bison, including offspring, would be managed as public wildlife and could never be privatized or commercialized. Currently, the public has no access to these buffalo and we are unable to monitor their condition or ensure their welfare. On Tuesday, BFC learned that FWP did not send 88 buffalo to Turner's. They sent 87: one adult female that was not pregnant was kept behind at the Corwin Springs quarantine facility. We further learned that a day or two after the 87 buffalo arrived at Turner's, a calf died. Turner's ranch manager claims that the calf was sick and orphaned, but why would FWP send a calf in this condition out of quarantine, what was wrong with it, and what happened to its mother? BFC will continue to investigate. The incident, which happened over a month ago without notification to the public, is a clear demonstration of FWP's lack of disclosure, and underscores the need for the public to have access to these bison. Many heartfelt thanks go out to our partners in the lawsuit: Western Watersheds Project, Gallatin Wildlife Association and the Yellowstone Buffalo Foundation. You are all steadfast and true bison advocates and we are honored and grateful to fight the good fight with you! Learn more about the Bison Quarantine Lawsuit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/legal/quarantinelawsuit.html ------------------------------ * Update from the Field Buffalo migration has begun! The buffalo are coming and we celebrate their arrival; it is a very exciting time of year. Beautiful, healthy family groups with buffalo of all ages and sizes are migrating through the Madison Valley river corridor, many of them round-bellied with the budding gift of the next generation. The buffalo are making their way along the lands that are their birthright, heading to their favorite spring habitat and calving grounds. We feel blessed to be in their presence again. "You, oh Buffalo, are the Earth! May we understand this!" (Lakota Sun Dance prayer) This is tempered, however, as we know that harm from livestock interests await the buffalo. The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) has promised to be even less tolerant this year, and we've already seen what their so-called tolerance looks like. Multiple DOL agents are currently in town. BFC volunteers are ready to stand with the buffalo and defend their right to roam free, documenting all actions made against them and sharing everything we learn with you, the media, and the decision-makers that can help make a difference. Bull buffalo may soon be targets of other dangerous government action: The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), with very little notice to the public, released an Environmental Assessment on their proposal to immobilize (dart with drugs) bull bison on Gallatin National Forest in order to study their semen and blood. There are many reasons why this futile and frivolous study should be rejected. Learn more and PLEASE TAKE ACTION FOR BULL BUFFALO NOW! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2676 BFC is also a strong presence on the highways right now, warning motorists with our "Buffalo Ahead" and "Buffalo Crossing" signs of the presence of these massive land mammals as they make their way to Horse Butte and other habitat outside of Yellowstone's ecologically meaningless boundaries. We have also contacted the MT Department of Transportation and Governor's office, appealing to them for help in warning motorists to mitigate bison/vehicle collisions. The Governor's office has promised that action will be taken. The sun rises and sets every day, the moon waxes and wanes, the seasons turn around the wheel of the year, as the tides ebb and flow... and the buffalo will roam! Roam Free! ------------------------------ * Buffalo on Capitol Hill: Contact Congress Today! Please ask your members of Congress to support habitat-based solutions for America's last wild buffalo. First, check the appropriations roster to see if your member of Congress sits on one of two subcommittees that oversee how your tax dollars are spent. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/congress.html If you don't see them listed there, contact them through this link https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml LET CONGRESS KNOW that you want buffalo and their native habitat protected. Communicate your strong support for wild buffalo to Congress by asking them to: 1. Stop using your tax dollars to fund Montana Department of Livestock and Yellowstone National Park operations that harm or lead to the slaughter of wild buffalo. 2. Use your tax dollars wisely by purchasing livestock grazing rights on land adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, which will open habitat for wild buffalo and other native wildlife forever. For more detailed information on how to persuade Congress, you can review BFC's comments to House members who oversee taxpayer funding affecting America's last wild buffalo. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/congress.html Thank you for supporting the buffalo and BFC's efforts on Capitol Hill! ------------------------------ * Thank you Jackson Browne and David Lindley, Guacamole Productions, and Equal Exchange! BFC Supporters will have a special opportunity to see Jackson Browne with David Lindley perform on August 3 in Bozeman, MT and to meet Jackson Browne in person after the show. This benefit opportunity was made possible by our good friends at the Guacamole Fund and through the good will of the artists. Tickets are available now! For more information, and for a link to purchasing these special tickets, please visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/jacksonbrowne.html. In addition to the thousands of individuals who keep BFC strong in the field and on the policy front through their contributions, we are incredibly blessed to receive support from a growing number of dedicated businesses. This week we would like to send a loud shout of thanks to Equal Exchange for the incredibly generous donation of 30 pounds of fair trade coffee and 3,000 chocolates to keep our volunteers powered up and happy! Learn about this great company at http://shop.equalexchange.com/ Please visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/aboutus/businesssupport.html for a partial list of the many companies who help keep BFC strong. If your business isn't listed and should be, please email [email protected] and we'll get you up there. ------------------------------ * Take a Survey for Wild Buffalo in Montana Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) wants to hear from you about your ideas and perspectives on restoring wild bison in Montana without fences. It is important that wild bison advocates everywhere participate in this survey. Learn more and take the survey now http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/management/bison/ ------------------------------ * A Call Out for Experienced BFC Volunteers: Please Come Home! Hey all you buffalovers, It is that exciting time of year again on the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park. The bison migration has begun! BFC volunteers are currently in the field before sun up and until well after dark monitoring the highways and landscape. We have an amazing crew of people this year; new and dedicated volunteers to document the government's harassment of our shaggy friends, the buffalo. However, we are spreading the few experienced volunteers very thin filling out patrols. This is a call to any and all experienced volunteers to return to the land of the last wild bison and join us again in our efforts to stop the harassment and slaughter. The DOL has said in so many words, there will be less tolerance this season (as if there had ever been more tolerance). We need to maintain a constant presence and pressure in the field, and we need your experience to do that. Please quit your jobs, drop out of school, and do whatever you have to do to come home to the Buffalo Field Campaign! You can contact me at [email protected] Thank you all for your support. Peet Volunteer Coordinator Buffalo Field Campaign ------------------------------ * Last Words "The whole world is coming, A nation is coming, a nation is coming! The Eagle has brought the message to the tribe, The father says so, the father says so. Over the whole earth they are coming, The Buffalo are coming, the Buffalo are coming! The Crow has brought the message to the tribe, The father says so, the father says so." ~ Lakota Ghost Dance Song Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 --

* Special BFC Benefit Tickets Available for Jackson Browne with David Lindley Show in Bozeman Buffalo Field Campaign Supporters, We are pleased and proud to announce that Jackson Browne, David Lindley and our good friends and long-time BFC supporters The Guacamole Fund are teaming up to offer the Buffalo Field Campaign community a special opportunity to see Jackson Browne with David Lindley in concert in Bozeman. The Guacamole Fund is offering special benefit tickets to the August 3, 2010 show, including some of the best seats in the house and a post-show, backstage meet-and-greet reception with Jackson Browne. These special tickets, located in the center portions of rows 4 through 8 on the Floor (floor section has only 8 rows), are available for $250 and benefit Buffalo Field Campaign, the only group working in the field and on the policy front 365 days a year to protect America's last wild buffalo. Part of the purchase price of each ticket is tax-deductible. These very limited tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served, best-seats-first basis and can be ordered on the Guacamole Fund Website: http://www.guacfund.org The show will take place August 3 at the Theater at the Brick on the campus of Montana State University. For more information on the historical Jackson Browne with David Lindley Tour, please see: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jackson-browne-with-david-lindley-tour-heads-to-us-and-europe-this-summer-86634157.html ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 --

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field March 18, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * Only 3,000 Wild Buffalo Left in the Nation * BFC on Capitol Hill: Appropriations Hearings Underway * BFC Heads to Hollywood * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Update from the Field Buffalo are beginning to move with the spring tide. Along Yellowstone's western boundary, a few very small groups of buffalo are slowly approaching Montana. There is a very special family - a mother, daughter, and their two calves - who have done an amazing job of keeping themselves alive and unnoticed in Montana since last season. We couldn't tell you about them before because it would have drawn undesirable and possibly fatal attention to them. Mike Mease, BFC's co-founder, will share a special telling of their incredible story in a future Update. Soon the migration will begin in earnest, as buffalo make their way to their calving grounds on and around Horse Butte and other areas of the Gallatin National Forest. With the natural phenomena of buffalo migration comes the dangers of them having to cross Highways 191 and 287. BFC will be a visible presence on the road with our hot pink "Buffalo Crossing" signs, helping warn motorists. If only signs were enough to keep the Montana Department of Livestock away from the buffalo. Patrols have seen DOL agents out on snowmobiles looking for buffalo, and they have also been seen numerous times working on the Duck Creek buffalo trap. No doubt the quiet times will soon be over. Along Yellowstone's northern boundary buffalo have been mostly absent since the three bulls were killed by Nez Perce hunters near Gardiner two weeks ago. The Nez Perce's hunt ended on Monday, March 15. BFC spent time in the Gardiner area's amazing landscape last week, but our full presence there has been short this season due to the minimal presence of buffalo and the financial constraints of keeping two camps open without dire need. While we were there in this massive wildlife migration corridor, we were blessed with the opportunity to see big horn sheep, pronghorn, elk, mule deer, coyotes, and three lovely buffalo. Our BFC family in Gardiner has been keeping an eye on these three gorgeous females who have their own secret strategy of moving between areas where they are safe. Here are a few photos from our all-too brief time near Yellowstone's north boundary: * Buffalo: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/3BuffaloLadies_Gardiner.jpg * Elk: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/3Elk_Gardiner.jpg * Big Horn Ram: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/BigHornRam.jpg * Small Part of the Big Landscape: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/Gardiner.jpg While in Gardiner, we also got a first-hand look at the ridiculous fencing project being developed for the Royal Teton Ranch buffalo "corridor to nowhere," west of the Yellowstone River; a wasteful project that maintains the status quo of treating wild buffalo like livestock. The fencing will also make life more difficult for other ungulates in the area, including Yellowstone's only population of pronghorn, which is hanging on to existence by a thread. At the same time, Yellowstone National Park and Gallatin National Forest are embarking on re-vegetation projects in this immediate area, which further fences in scores of acres for the next 20 years, to help restore native bunch and buffalo grasses. Prior to being protected as public land, years of cattle ranching nearly killed these once-rich grasslands. It's encouraging that re-vegetation is finally taking place, but it would be far wiser to allow the buffalo to help with such a project, since they can heal the wounded land. A few miles north of Yellowstone's boundary, we visited the poor buffalo who remain in the Corwin Springs quarantine facility. They were clearly unhappy with our presence, showing immediate signs of fear and agitation, rare things to see in buffalo. We can only imagine the horrors they go through being kept in confinement, treated like cattle and routinely handled by scientists. Those now locked away on Ted Turner's land will also continue to go through five more years of such treatment. Here's a photo of the quarantined buffalo fleeing at our presence: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/images/Quarantine_ScaredBuffalo.jpg In spite of more than a century of government and livestock industry efforts to domesticate and control wild buffalo, the buffalo continue to persist, resist, and endure and BFC will be here to help them every step of the way. Roam Free! ------------------------------ * Only 3,000 Wild Buffalo Left in Yellowstone Yellowstone National Park yesterday released their 2010 buffalo population estimate. Sadly, only 3,000 wild buffalo currently exist, according to the survey. Before European settlement and westward expansion, tens of millions of buffalo coexisted with First Nations. These 3,000 wild buffalo are the nation's last continuously wild population of American bison. Confined by politics to Yellowstone's ecologically meaningless boundaries, American buffalo remain ecologically extinct. Even so, livestock interests still believe 3,000 buffalo is too many. Yet the U.S. is infested with nearly 100 million invasive cattle, occupying and destroying the native buffalo's historic range. Yellowstone National Park has issued documents stating that the Park can sustain 6,200 buffalo, a number buffalo have never been allowed to reach. With surrounding Gallatin National Forest lands, and private lands that welcome buffalo, the landscape could easily support tens of thousands in the immediate area. Instead, livestock-driven government actions cut them down and continue to threaten these unique and sacred herds with extinction. Read their Red List Report here: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/2815/0. Read a short article about Yellowstone's winter buffalo population estimate: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_05b4ce94-3207-11df-9bcd-001cc4c03286.html Please consider writing a Letter to the Editor in response! http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/lte.html. ------------------------------ * BFC on Capitol Hill: Appropriations Hearings underway in U.S. House Buffalo Field Campaign's Josh Osher has been in Washington, DC for the past several weeks drumming up support to protect the buffalo and reinvigorating members of Congress to take action. Appropriation hearings are underway for the Departments of Interior and Agriculture including American taxpayer funding for the Interagency Bison Management Plan under which over 3,200 wild buffalo have been slaughtered by Yellowstone National Park and the Montana Department of Livestock. We encourage all buffalo advocates to contact their Congressional Representatives (http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/congress.html) to support habitat based solutions for wild buffalo to roam free. Look for an upcoming special alert on how to help redirect your tax dollars that are funding the slaughter of America's last wild buffalo to purchase habitat forever. It is up to all of us to let your representatives in Congress know that we want buffalo and their native habitat protected. Working the Hill to develop a grassroots lobby is an additional expense to our already extended budget, yet is vital to our broader campaign to protect the buffalo. Your financial support of our efforts on the front-lines and in the nation's capital would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Contact Congress for the buffalo now! http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/congress.html ------------------------------ * Buffalo Field Campaign Needs Your Help As you can tell from this week's Update, we have been extremely busy on the frontlines, in the legal arena, and in the halls of Congress. With the buffalo poised on the brink of their annual Spring migration, we will literally be working around the clock to protect them. With more than 70% of our operating funds coming from our incredible network of individual supporters, we are not beholden to corporations, large foundations, or anyone else. But we are dependent upon you. While Spring always brings BFC's heaviest workload, it is also one of our slowest seasons in terms of donations. If you care about wild buffalo and believe in the work of Buffalo Field Campaign, please support our work with a tax-deductible contribution. Donate HERE or send a check to: BFC, PO Box 957, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. Thank You! Dan Brister Executive Director Buffalo Field Campaign ------------------------------ * BFC Heads to Hollywood "Buffalo Battle", a special TV documentary featuring the work of Buffalo Field Campaign and produced by Planet Green, has been nominated for a Prestigious Genesis Award. BFC Campaign Coordinator Mease will be in Los Angeles this week to attend the ceremony and will host a special reception on Friday night. If you live in the area, or know people who do, please join us for front-lines stories, exclusive footage, and exciting clips from "Buffalo Battle". Vegan Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. $5 suggested donation. Friday March 19, 7:00-10:00PM 2HeadedHorse 1770 Glendale Blvd Echo Park Los Angeles For more info and to download a flyer about the event visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/genesis.html ------------------------------ * Last Words "A 400-page United Nations report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) states that cattle farming is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases. The production of cattle to feed and clothe humans is assessed to be one of the top three environmental problems in the world on a local to global scale. The report, entitled Livestock's Long Shadow, also surveys the environmental damage from sheep, chickens, pigs and goats. But in almost every case, the world's 1.5 billion cattle are cited as the greatest adverse impact with respect to climate change as well as species extinction. The report concludes that, unless changes are made, the massive damage reckoned to be due to livestock may more than double by 2050, as demand for meat increases. One of the cited changes suggests that intensification of the livestock industry may be suggested, since intensification leads to less land for a given level of production." ~ From "Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options." Published by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006. Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 --

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field March 11, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * BFC Returns to Washington * BFC Co-Founder Mike Mease to Speak at L.A. Film Awards * Summer Coordinator & Volunteers Needed! * Buffalo Calendar Update: We Need Your Feedback! * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Update from the Field Small numbers of buffalo have begun to appear along the north and west boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. Late last week, three bull buffalo were shot by Nez Perce hunters near Gardiner, Montana. The Nez Perce are hunting under treaty rights through Monday, March 15. Another small group of buffalo have migrated past Yellowstone's north entrance gate, but have not yet entered areas where they are vulnerable to hunters or government actions. Along Yellowstone's western boundary, several buffalo have approached, but not crossed into, Montana. If and when they do enter the state, their migration corridor will carry them right past the Department of Livestock's Duck Creek Trap, so BFC patrols are keeping a close eye on the buffalo and any government activity in the area. The situation with the eighty-eight Yellowstone buffalo, currently locked away from the public on the private ranchlands of Ted Turner, has not changed, though their story continues to make the news: http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/LettersToTheEditor/archives/2010/03/11/stolen-bison A growing number of people are coming to the understanding that they have been purposefully mislead by the government, the media, and compromising conservation organizations. When these 88 bison, born wild within Yellowstone Park, were transported to Ted Turner's ranch the public lost all access to them. If you haven't yet seen BFC's video about FWP's Turner scheme, check it out and share it with your friends: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org Winter was unusually mild this year and Spring has arrived early, revealing and awakening the sleeping grasses. With the greening of the earth, the buffalo will come: last years' calves grown into dark and wooly yearlings, bulls young and frisky and adult and enormous, elegant mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers. With these families will come the pregnant buffalo who hold the gift of the next generation within them. Raise your voices loud and strong for the buffalo and help tell their story so that when they do arrive those who mean them harm will know that the buffalo's allies are strong and growing. Roam Free! ------------------------------ * BFC Returns to Washington Buffalo Field Campaign's Josh Osher Has been in Washington, DC for the past several weeks drumming up support to protect the buffalo and reinvigorating members of Congress to take action. In the past, we have pursued several congressional strategies including Appropriations Amendments, The Yellowstone Buffalo Preservation Act, and a congressional oversight hearing. BFC was also instrumental in getting Congress to ask for a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) which was released in 2008 and found that the agencies implementing the Interagency Bison Management Plan we failing on several levels and needed to improve bison management. Based largely on this report, the agencies have made some limited, changes that benefit buffalo outside the Park. Currently, we are focusing our efforts on the upcoming Appropriations bills for the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. We are currently developing proactive ideas that the various agencies could implement for the benefit of buffalo. Look for more details about our efforts and strategies in next week's Update and prepare to lend your voice to these efforts. The buffalo have not been in the forefront of the national legislative agenda recently and it is up to all of us to let our members of Congress know that we want the buffalo protected. In the meantime, you financial support of our efforts in the nation's capitol would be greatly appreciated. Josh's trip to Washington comes at an additional expense to our regular operating budget, yet is vital to our broader campaign to protect the buffalo. Donate Now: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 ------------------------------ * BFC Co-Founder Mike Mease to Speak at L.A. Film Awards "Buffalo Battle," a special TV documentary featuring the work of Buffalo Field Campaign and produced by Planet Green, has been nominated for a Prestigious Genesis Award. BFC Campaign Coordinator Mease will be in Los Angeles next weekend to attend the ceremony and will present a special reception on Friday night. If you live in the area, or know people who do, please join us for front-lines stories, exclusive footage, and exciting clips from "Buffalo Battle." Vegan Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served $5 suggested donation. Friday March 19 7:00-10:00PM 2HeadedHorse 1770 Glendale Blvd Echo Park Los Angeles For more info and to download a flier about the event click here http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/genesis.html ------------------------------ * BFC Needs Summer Coordinator & Volunteers! For the past fourteen summers BFC has staffed information tables inside Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This public education program has always been a central part of BFC. During the summer tabling program we meet prospective volunteers and supporters and generate needed donations. Most importantly, we educate park visitors about the endless aggression and harassment the bison endure during the time of year when most park visitor are not here. We are currently recruiting bright, personable, and passionate people who can volunteer a minimum of three weeks to table in the Parks. The three week commitment will allow you to gain a solid understanding of the bison issue. If you are interested and possess the qualities described above, please apply by sending me an email at [email protected] We are also looking for a person more involved in the issue and all its facets, who has volunteered with the campaign for at least a month previously, to spearhead and oversee our summer program. This person would need to make a full summer commitment from June through Labor Day, and be able to train, lead and organize a small to medium-sized group of volunteers. Besides being educated and articulate on bison issues, our Summer Coordinator needs to be a licensed driver in good standing. If you have interest in filling this role contact me to discuss details: [email protected] We thank you for everything you do for these sacred bison and for our campaign. Your support keeps us going and gives us our strength. Peet BFC Volunteer Coordinator ------------------------------ * Buffalo Calendar Update: We Need Your Feedback! Thank you to everyone who has sent photos for BFC's buffalo calendar project. We have enjoyed your incredible shots so much and are amazed at the terrific photographers you are and how you each capture the essence of the buffalo as seen through your eyes. It is an honor and a gift to have you share these with us. We have some bad new and some good news regarding the calendar. The bad news is that the first publisher we submitted our proposal to turned us down. The good news is that this is not going to stop us and we are looking into publishing the calender on our own with the generous help of Art and Image Printing in Missoula. In order for this project to succeed, we need your help! This is a huge commitment for us as we'll need to print and sell at least 10,000 calendars. While we will be distributing some to stores in the Greater Yellowstone area and elsewhere in the country, we are relying on you, our supporters, want to make this calendar a success. In addition to making them available individually on our web site, we will be offering them in in quantity at discounted prices for you to sell and distribute in your communities. Kind of like Girl Scout cookies. Before we commit to ordering so many calendars, we'd like to get an idea of the level of support for such an undertaking. Please write [email protected] to express your level of interest and the number of calendars you think you can distribute in your community. ------------------------------ * Last Words "Bison have the best chance of full recovery as wildlife by being allowed to roam freely across hundreds of thousands or even millions of hectares. Making this possible poses one of the biggest challenges for restoring bison herds as both public and private landowners will need to give their support." ~ From an International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) press advisory announcing the release of their report, American Bison: Status Survey & Conservation Guidelines 2010. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/science/bisonresearchpapers.html Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 4 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 4 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,706* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 --

*Apologies for Cross/Re-Posting* Hello! Professor Wendy Roth in the Department of Sociology at the University of British Columbia is doing a research study on the social impacts of DNA ancestry testing -- especially whether it has any effect on identities and attitudes. This may have already been posted to this list, as some members of this group have graciously assisted with this study. We are still looking for participants, especially people with any Native American, Black, Hispanic, or Asian roots. We're looking to talk with people with a wide range of experiences to DNA ancestry testing, so we'd be very interested in learning about your experiences regardless of whether the test results had much influence on you or not. If you have taken a DNA ancestry test and would be willing to help with this project, would you fill out a quick online survey at: http://faculty.arts.ubc.ca/wroth/SurveyIntro.html It should only take you about 10-15 minutes. It focuses on why you chose to take the test, your background, your experience with genetic genealogy testing, and how the results may have affected you. You can fill out the survey anonymously, or if you are interested in talking more about these the social impacts of DNA ancestry testing, you can choose to be contacted for a follow-up interview as well. These interviews are done over the phone and are confidential. If you would like to be contacted for a follow-up interview, you can enter your contact information at the end of the survey. But regardless of whether you are interested in the follow-up interview, I hope you will complete the quick online survey. Thank you very much for considering this. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Prof. Wendy Roth at [email protected] or at (604) 822-4845. You can also contact Natasia Wright, Research Assistant on this project, at [email protected]

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field March 4, 2010 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * Watch & Share: BFC Video on Why bison do not belong on Turner's Ranch * Threatened with Extinction: IUCN Report on American Bison * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ *Update from the Field Spring is coming very early to West Yellowstone this year. We are already experiencing a big melt-off, with bare ground beginning to show. With so much available grass in the park, we haven't seen many bison in Montana. This hasn't stopped Department of Livestock agent Shane Grube from wasting U.S. tax dollars, making himself look busy at the Duck Creek bison trap, where we've seen him several times this week. BFC has been focusing our energy on addressing the problems with Yellowstone buffalo being kept on the private ranch of media mogul and bison rancher Ted Turner. This has been an extremely challenging task, because the government and the media have been so clever in their coverage of the issue, hailing Turner as a hero who is "saving" Yellowstone buffalo. But Turner is a buffalo rancher who sells buffalo meat and canned hunts, and this is not a goodwill gesture on his part: he will be paid with living breathing Yellowstone buffalo. Buffalo that will be lost to the public and the tribes forever. BFC has always opposed the bison quarantine, on the grounds that it is unnecessary because brucellosis is not really a threat and because it is a livestock management tool that is inappropriate for wild bison. Quarantine jeopardizes the potential for bison restoration by giving a false impression that it is the only way bison will be restored to their historic range. To buy into quarantine is to buy into the brucellosis myth. Even so, the agencies who put these buffalo through the ill-conceived program - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and USDA-Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) - promised the public that any buffalo surviving the study would be placed on public or tribal lands. By transferring Yellowstone buffalo to the private/commercial lands of Turner, they have violated the public trust and possibly broken the law. The agencies had more than five years to work with tribes and public lands managers to develop a meaningful plan for the quarantined bison. They failed to do so. Instead they called on Turner to bail them out at the last minute while falsely threatening the public that the only other option would be to slaughter the bison. Nothing, in fact, could have been further from the truth because there were tribes ready to take them home, and public lands in Montana where they could live as wildlife. Now the agencies are forcing us to pay for their mistake by treating the buffalo's future offspring as currency and using them to pay Ted Turner. Quarantine is part of the Interagency Bison Management Plan, so we believe that funds appropriated for that failed management scheme should be used to pay Turner, not American buffalo. If you are still unsure about how you feel regarding members of America's last wild bison population being sequestered from the public and tribes, and placed into private, commercial hands, please read BFC's Supplemental Comments to the quarantine plan http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/legislative/bisonquarantine.html or send us an email with your questions and concerns. Roam Free! ------------------------------- * Watch & Share: NEW BFC Video on Why bison do not belong on Turner's ranch Buffalo Field Campaign recently produced a video in response to the misguided decision by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to send quarantined buffalo to Ted Turner's private buffalo ranch. This is an excellent piece, though some portions are disturbing. Please spread it far and wide. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/ Many thanks to Mike and Tony for their work on this video. ------------------------------ * Threatened with Extinction: IUCN Report on American Bison The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has just issued an in depth report, "American Bison: Status Survey and Conservation Guidelines 2010." IUCN "helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges ... working on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy..." IUCN "is the world's oldest and largest global environmental organization." The report reveals that wild American bison are indeed threatened with extinction and that the next 10 to 20 years will be very important if we are to ensure a future for these prehistoric wonders. The report also cites the mounting evidence of the critical role that wild bison play on their historic range, demonstrating that the biodiversity of ecosystems can benefit from bison restoration. While this is clear to wild bison advocates, it is great to have the backing of this important document. You can download a PDF file of the report here: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/science/bisonresearchpapers.html. If you'd like some quick information, there's a good article here: http://www.surfbirds.com/sbirdsnews/archives/2010/03/bringing_bison.html IUCN has placed American bison on their Red List, under the category of "near threatened" (with extinction). BFC agrees and will continue to press for Endangered Species Protection for the Yellowstone population of this great prehistoric mammal, the last continuously wild buffalo in the United States. Read more about the "red listing" here: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/2815/0 ------------------------------ * Last Words "Although the effort to restore bison to the plains of North America is considered to be one of the most ambitious and complex undertakings in species conservation efforts in North America, it will only succeed if legislation is introduced at a local and national level, with significant funding and a shift in attitude towards the animal." ~ Dr Simon Stuart, Chair of IUCN's Species Survival Commission Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 1 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 1 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,703* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 --

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field February 25, 2010 Buffalo Field Campaign relies on individual contributions to fund our work to protect the bison. Please contribute today to keep us strong in the field and on the policy front: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * NEW BFC Video: Why bison do not belong on Turner's Ranch * Take an Online Poll for the Buffalo! * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Update from the Field The absence of buffalo in Montana leaves us with very little to report from the field this week. Patrols continue to monitor the buffalo's traditional migration corridors every day, and while we do expect spring migration to begin soon - and with it aggressive actions from the Montana Department of Livestock - the lands surrounding Yellowstone National Park are sadly haunting without the company of wild buffalo. In other news impacting America's last wild buffalo population, Montana's state vet, Marty Zaluski, has announced that brucellosis vaccines will become mandatory for all domestic female calves (cattle) that are sexually intact. This is a very small, but highly appropriate step for ranchers to take and one that makes perfect sense. Brucellois is a European livestock disease brought to this country's native wildlife by invasive cattle, though, you'll always hear the media and livestock industry spin it to make it sound like bison and elk are "the problem." Vaccinating cattle against brucelloisis is a small risk-management action that should be willingly taken by all Montana cattle producers. It's a no-brainer, and far preferable to the slaughter and mismanagement of America's last wild buffalo. In a state that feels so threatened by the brucellosis boogey-man, you would think ranchers would jump at the chance to vaccinate their cattle. But, of course, the rule is being fought by the majority of Montana's cattle industry. They like the way things are: blame native wildlife, kill them, and have taxpayers foot the bill. Read an article from the Billings Gazette: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_033d51b2-20ec-11df-ab3d-001cc4c03286.html. Download the Department of Livestock's proposal: http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/pdf_d3c3f292-20eb-11df-a291-001cc4c03286.html Meanwhile, Buffalo Field Campaign's Mike Mease and Darrell Geist are in Eugene, Oregon, attending the 28th Annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference http://www.pielc.org/pages/home.html. Mike has attended and spoken at this conference for many years and will once again reach hundreds of people - many of them environmental lawyers - with the buffalo's story. Though it takes time, the more people we continue to reach, the number of people touched by the buffalo rises, and that brings us closer to positive change. -------------------------------- * NEW BFC Video: Why bison do not belong on Turner's ranch Buffalo Field Campaign recently produced a new video in response to the unfortunate decision by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to send quarantined buffalo to Ted Turner's private buffalo ranch. This is an excellent piece, though some portions are disturbing. Please spread it far and wide. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/ Many thanks to Mike and Tony for their work in this video. ------------------------------ * Take an Online Poll for the Buffalo! The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, BFC's local paper, hosts an online poll each week. This week America's last wild buffalo need you to respond: QUESTION: "Do you think the state's Department of Livestock should go ahead with its current plan to haze, capture and possibly slaughter bison that leave Yellowstone National Park?" Vote NO! So far, votes are ahead for the buffalo. Please keep it going! Visit this link and http://bozemandailychronicle.com/ scroll down to the bottom right of the page. ------------------------------ * Last Words "As environmental activists, we must recover from the damage inflicted on our communities, our nations, and our planet, renew our determination for and commitment to positive change, and reimagine how we shall move forward into the new century and toward future generations." ~ Public Interest Environmental Law Conference, 2010 Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 1 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 1 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,703* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42

This [email protected] is my new posting address. [email protected] is my ONLY admin address. I wont do admin work on the first address/ Admin will go to the right place is addresses to [email protected] Dan

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field February 18, 2010 Buffalo Field Campaign relies on individual contributions to fund our work to protect the bison. Please contribute today to keep us strong in the field and on the policy front: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * Why Yellowstone Bison Do Not Belong on Ted Turner's Ranch * "Buffalo Battle" Nominated for Genesis Award! * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ * Update from the Field Montana's buffalo hunt is finally over. This year, one bull buffalo was shot by a state hunter in early December. For the past two years, hunters have killed only one buffalo each season, even though Montana issued 144 tags to state hunters, and an additional 144 for tribal treaty hunts. The reason so few buffalo have been taken by hunters is because there have been almost no buffalo in Montana. What kind of "hunt" is that? It's the kind authorized by Montana's cattle industry and sanctioned by the Interagency Bison Management Plan which defends the hegemony of livestock interests by chasing wild buffalo out of Montana or killing them if they choose to remain on their chosen ground. Two years ago more than 1,600 wild buffalo were killed by state and federal agencies, and the buffalo are having a hard time making a rebound. There is still no tolerance or year-round habitat for wild buffalo in Montana and the hunt has never been anything more than yet another means of killing buffalo that dare step over the line from Yellowstone into Montana, and if the hunters don't kill them, the state of Montana most certainly will. The Nez Perce will continue to hunt under treaty right through the middle of March, if any buffalo emerge from the Park. If buffalo do begin to migrate, the Nez Perce hunt could be disrupted by the Department of Livestock. As we mentioned in last week's Update, the DOL has promised aggressive management actions - including capture and slaughter - against buffalo this year. Arbitrary numbers of buffalo on the landscape, based on the DOL's "science" to facilitate the convenience of the agents who harass them, will instigate harsh management actions when the yearly spring migration occurs. According to the DOL, the minimal tolerance shown to buffalo last season - which we knew was created to set buffalo up to fail these man-made tests - will not be repeated this year. So far, Yellowstone National Park and Gallatin National Forest are finally showing some courage and refusing to accept the DOL's devolution from Adaptive Management. This doesn't say much as last year's "tolerance" was barely existent. But at least the agencies aren't immediately completely caving to the demands of the livestock industry. Only time will tell how things play out in the field for the buffalo. The DOL is gearing up for aggression, that much we know: BFC patrols have seen DOL livestock inspector Shane Grube plowing snow from the Duck Creek buffalo trap. For now, wild buffalo are eluding both hunters and the Department of Livestock. Roam Free! ------------------------------ * Why Yellowstone Bison Do Not Belong on Ted Turner's Ranch Yesterday, escorted by Homeland Security agents, four livestock trailers hauled some of the eighty-eight Yellowstone buffalo to the private lands of Ted Turner. Buffalo Field Campaign was there to document. Today, the remainder of these Yellowstone buffalo will be sent to his ranch. Ted Turner is a prominent commercial buffalo rancher and he will get to keep 75% of these Yellowstone buffalo's calves that are born on his land and use them for his commercial gains to improve the genetics of his domestic herds that he raises for meat and canned buffalo hunts. These Yellowstone buffalo have been stolen from all of us: from the American people and from First Nations who have wanted to bring their relatives home for many, many years. More importantly, these buffalo have been stolen from their wild-born families and the lands that are their birthright. Montana's Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) and the media would have us all believe that the only options that these buffalo had were going to Turner or to slaughter, and if you are opposed to them going to Turner then you must be for slaughter. Ironic, coming from one of the agencies that participates in the slaughter of wild Yellowstone buffalo. This is a wily way to spin the facts in order gain blind public support for the Turner option, which was their last-minute bail-out plan because they completely failed to use their five years wisely. MFWP broke the promise they fed us when they initiated the Quarantine Feasibility Study: to return these Yellowstone buffalo and their calves to public or tribal lands. Privatization and commercialization were expressly forbidden. And now we are being force-fed the ultimatum of slaughter or a "good home" at Ted Turner's big bison ranch. The fact is, there are other options including millions of acres on public and tribal lands in Montana and throughout the country. This is just one more instance of the government and livestock industry manipulating wildlife and public perceptions. In transferring these wild buffalo to corporate interests, MFWP has broken trust with the public and tribes. We believe they have broken the law. It is not enough to trust that Yellowstone buffalo going to Turner's private lands is better than slaughter. Do not fall prey to the false government line that these are the only options. There is another reason that Yellowstone buffalo should not go to Turner's land: two years ago there was an anthrax outbreak http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2008/09/03/news/30d.txt on Turner's Flying D ranch, a stone's throw from Turner's Green Ranch where the Yellowstone buffalo will be held for five years. Anthrax occurs in the soil and lies dormant under drought conditions until heavy rains occur. Turner lost 257 of his ranched buffalo to anthrax in 2008. It is also believed the outbreak was responsible for the deaths of wildlife: at least 2 deer and 14 elk. One domestic bull died from anthrax, and the Montana State Vet even recommended http://www.hpj.com/archives/2008/aug08/aug25/Veturgesvaccinesforcattlene.cfm that cattle ranchers on lands adjacent to Turner's land vaccinate their cattle against anthrax. With this highly deadly bacteria in the soil, this land should never have been an option for further quarantining Yellowstone buffalo. Buffalo Field Campaign has opposed the Quarantine Feasibility Study from the beginning, knowing strongly that this experiment would manipulate and sacrifice the wild integrity and unique behavior of America's last population of migrating buffalo. Proponents of quarantine would have us all believe that this is the only way that American buffalo will be restored to the landscape, but we advocate for natural bison restoration, one hoof at a time, via migration corridors to vast tracts of historic habitat enjoyed by all other wildlife. Buffalo advocates who honor the free-born bison and their right to roam their native lands should refuse to accept the privatization and commercialization of Yellowstone buffalo, and instead insist that disease-management be focused on domestic cattle. Since stress and confinement are instigators of disease, the only option that makes sense for wild buffalo is to roam free. ------------------------------ * "Buffalo Battle" Nominated for Genesis Award! "Buffalo Battle," the TV-documentary highlighting the controversy surrounding the management of wild Yellowstone buffalo and the work of Buffalo Field Campaign has been nominated for a Genesis Award, presented by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). According to HSUS, "HSUS's annual Genesis Awards recognizes artists, writers, and others in entertainment and the media who contributed their time and talents over the past year to raise awareness of the plight and suffering of animals." Learn more: http://www.humanesociety.org/about/events/genesis_awards/nominees.html ------------------------------ * Last Words "If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." - President Lyndon B. Johnson, on the signing of the Wilderness Act of 1964 Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 1 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 1 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,703* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortalities ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 --

Buffalo Field Campaign Yellowstone Bison Update from the Field February 11, 2010 Buffalo Field Campaign relies on donations from people like you to fund our work to protect the bison. Please contribute today to keep us strong in the field and on the policy front. https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field * BFC's Mike Mease to Present Multimedia Shows in Eugene, OR * BFC Board Member and Volunteers Join Haitian Relief Crew * Last Words * Kill Tally * Important Links ------------------------------ ------------------------------ * Update from the Field The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks has decided to turn over all 88 quarantined Yellowstone buffalo to the private game farm of billionaire Ted Turner. According to the details of the deal hatched in private between the media mogul and MT Governor Brian Schweitzer, Turner will get to keep 75% of the buffalo's offspring for his commercial gains. Montana has just set a dangerous precedent of domesticating and privatizing public wildlife, removing them from the public domain, and abandoning them to for-profit commercial interests. Please take a moment to contact the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and let them know you do not support their plans to privatize 88 members of the Yellowstone bison population by sending them to media mogul Ted Turner's Flying D Ranch and giving the billionaire 75 percent of their offspring. David Risley, Fish and Wildlife Division Administrator Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 1420 E. 6th Ave., P.O. Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620-0701 (406) 444-9817 phone [email protected] ------------------------------ * BFC's Mike Mease to Give Multi-media Presentations in Eugene, OR BFC Campaign Coordinator Mike Mease will be traveling to Eugene, OR for the 2010 Public Interest Environmental Law Conference later this month. He will be joined by musicians Good Shield & 7th Generation Rise and Phoenix & After Buffalo for two very special presentations. If you live in the area, please come out and support these shows: "A Night for the Buffalo" Presentation by Mike Mease with Andrew Rodman as MC Thursday February 25th, 9:00 p.m. Sam Bond's Garage 407 Blair Boulevard Eugene, OR Music by: Good Shield & 7th Generation Rise; Phoenix & After Buffalo Mike will also be leading a panel at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference: "Bring Back the Buffalo" Saturday, February 27 3:45 - 5:00 pm. Long House University of Oregon Eugene, OR Contact Mike at: [email protected] for more information. ------------------------------ * BFC Board Member and Volunteers Join Haitian Relief Crew BFC board member Roman Sanchez and volunteers Trenton and Aaron left Tuesday on a two-week trip to Haiti with a select team of street medics. As of this writing they are somewhere on the long road between Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Saint-Marc, Haiti, where they plan on spending the next couple weeks volunteering at a field hospital. Please keep these three brave and caring men in your thoughts as they and thier crew engage in this important work. ------------------------------ * Last Words Even the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) are not immune from the livestock industry's influence. For instance, a joint federal/state plan for management of the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) bison herd-the only naturally occurring, (ostensibly) free-ranging bison herd in the United States-seems designed primarily to assuage cattle producers outside the park. This is so despite congressional mandates to "conserve . . . wildlife" in the parks and "provide against . . . their capture or destruction." Bison that cross YNP's northern border are treated like livestock, not wild animals." --Deborah Donahue, from: WESTERN GRAZING: THE CAPTURE OF GRASS, GROUND, AND GOVERNMENT Do you have submissions for Last Words? Send them to [email protected] Thank you all for the poems, songs and stories you have been sending; you'll see them here! ------------------------------ * Kill Tally AMERICAN BISON ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. 2009-2010 Total: 1 2009-2010 Slaughter: 0 2009-2010 Hunt: 1 2009-2010 Quarantine: 0 2009-2010 Shot by Agents: 0 2009-2010 Highway Mortality: 0 2008-2009 Total: 22 2007-2008 Total: 1,631 Total Since 2000: 3,703* *includes lethal government action, quarantine, hunts, highway mortality ------------------------------ Media & Outreach Buffalo Field Campaign P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 [email protected] http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org BFC is the only group working in the field every day in defense of the last wild buffalo population in the U.S. KEEP BFC ON THE FRONTLINES WITH A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TODAY https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3647 Join Buffalo Field Campaign -- It's Free! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/6876/signUp.jsp?key=3378 Tell-a-Friend: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=3835 Take Action! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26453 Unsubscribe http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2426/t/7926/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/?unsubscribe_page_KEY=42 --

Joyce, Thanks, I found the list of names. I have no idea of what the INdian name might have been. I'm not sure where to go next with this, but I have a feeling that I can find what I am looking for. The land records in Knoxville may not go back before 1820 and then may be sketchy after 1820. I don't know how an Indian would leave his land to his heir unless with a will. I probably need to spread our from Knox county. Nancy McG On Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 11:40 AM, Joyce G. Reece <[email protected]> wrote: > Nancy > > THe list of reservee's is at www.tngenweb.org.  It wasn't a land cession > since they were being offered land. > > The cessions were mostly in the land bordering Cherokee lands at that time. > Several were in McMinn, Monroe, Roane...most were in Georgia and Alabama but > you can see all that on this list. > > The list is also on footnote.com in the original image from the microfilm as > are many of the agency records of Southwest Point, Hiwassee Garrison and > Calhoun > > Another list is within the American State Papers which you can find at > www.rootsweb.com/~tnpolk2 > > If there is a particular name you are looking for I will look for you > > > Joyce Gaston Reece > > > > -------------------------------------------------- > From: "Nancy McGinty" <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 10:50 AM > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Cherokee Circle] land cessions > >> 'Siyo >> >> Thanks for the reply, but I may have been asking for the wrong thing. >> There was an attempt to "civilize" or make citizens of some of the >> Cherokees in 1817.  They had a choice to apply for 640 acres of land >> in Tennessee, Georgia and maybe Alabama and become US citizens or go >> to Arkansas.  I will go to the National Archives in Georgia next week, >> but am not quite sure of how to look this up.  Do you have any ideas >> on this? >> Nancy McG >> >> On Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 10:45 AM, Bill <[email protected]> wrote: >>> 'siyo, >>> >>> http://www.tngenweb.org/cessions/ >>> >>> Sgi, >>> >>> Nill >>> -=- >>> >>> Nancy McGinty wrote: >>>> Can anyone refer me to a place where I might read more about the land >>>> cessions of 1817.  Were any of these lands around Knox county, TN? >>>> Nancy MCG >>>>  ======*====== >>>> >>>> >>>  ======*====== >>> List archives >>> http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >> >> ======*====== >> List archives >> http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >  ======*====== > List archives > http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Yikes, I'll try . It will be this afternoon. Nancy On Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 12:06 PM, Tonya <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Nancy, >                   Could you post this 640 land experiment site for all of > us to see. >                                                              Thank you, >                                                                 Tonya > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Nancy McGinty" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 5:18 AM > Subject: Re: [Cherokee Circle] land cessions > > > Joyce, Thanks so much for this information.  I am going to forward you > a link to a webpage that I have been looking at.  It refers to the 640 > acres experiment. > Nancy McG > > On Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 9:17 PM, Joyce G. Reece <[email protected]> > wrote: >> The story of Fort Armistead has been in several newspapers including the >> Knoxville Sentinal. >> >> The story is this: >> >> In 1817 a treaty was signed that ceded land that was, in part, to become >> McMinn and Monroe counties. The surveyor party was instructed to begin at >> Jolly's Island (now Hiwassee Island) at the mouth of the Hiwassee River, >> east to North Carolina state line following the river. When the surveyor >> party reached the Cherokee village of Savannah, which is where current day >> hwy 411 crosses the Hiwassee, they stopped at the village to ask for >> directions. The Ridge, who was named this because of his habit of > traveling >> along a trail that ran the top of these mountains told them a different > way >> to go, which they did. This trail left Savannah went up the end of Starr >> Mountain at Gee Creek, along the top of the mountain to White Cliff, off >> the mountain to Rural Vale (all modern day place names), on to the area > just >> near the Unicoi Gap, back up the mountains to the Indian Boundary (now the >> camping area), off the end of Flats Mtn down to Citico Creek then down > this >> creek to the mouth where it enters the Little Tennessee. This surveyor >> error left a swath of land that varied in width of apx 8 to 25 miles > between >> the survey line and the NC state line. Because of this many Cherokee >> families who resided in this area were left where they were until the >> Removal in 1838. >> >> Fort Armistead, which shows on the 1820-30 section map of the Hiwassee >> District/Monroe County, was a small village and supply point for the >> Cherokee until the Removal began, then it acted as a gathering point for >> families headed west. After the Removal the family who owned the land paid >> little attention to the village and it's future historical significance > but >> did maintain its integrity. Now, within the last 2 years the integrity of >> the site is still intact and in the hands of the Cherokee National Forest. >> The site is being guarded with the intensity it deserves and big plans are >> in the works for it. A visitors center is planned adjacent to the village >> site. Some excavations are being done but in the most part it is more >> guarded than anything else. Anyone who enters the area has to be cleared >> thru security. Chad Smith recently paid a visit to the site. It is said >> to be the best preserved village of its kind in the world. Thank goodness >> it is in a place where it will never be flooded by a TVA impoundment like >> the Overhill Villages often were...such as Chota, Tenasi, Citico and many >> others. >> >> Historians of this area, especially those of us interested in the Cherokee >> aspect of this areas history have been overjoyed with this find. Monroe >> County Archivist, Nelle Jo Stakely had a big hand in helping the >> archeologist do the the historical research on this. I hope I'm not > pushing >> things too much to say that she and I discussed and researched the above >> stated aspects concerning Fort Armistead and how it all came to be. >> >> >> >> >> Joyce Gaston Reece >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------- >> From: "myra reidy" <[email protected]> >> Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 7:17 PM >> To: <[email protected]> >> Subject: Re: [Cherokee Circle] land cessions >> >>> >>> >>> Would you please tell us more about the "finds" in Monroe County? It >>> sounds very interesting. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> From: [email protected] >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 11:43:58 -0500 >>>> Subject: Re: [Cherokee Circle] land cessions >>>> >>>> The land CESSION would have been the Hiwassee Purchase or the Treaty of >>>> 1817. This ceeded the land that is the section between the Little >>>> Tennessee >>>> River on the north, the big Tennessee on the west, the Hiwassee on the >>>> south >>>> and the NC line on the east. The surveyors did not survey the eastern >>>> line >>>> correctly and left off several miles on the eastern line so part Monroe >>>> remained in Cherokee hands until the Removal in 1838. Thus the reason > for >>>> the huge archealogical find in the form of Fort Armistead in eastern >>>> Monroe >>>> Co. >>>> >>>> Joyce Gaston Reece >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------------------------------------------------- >>>> From: "Nancy McGinty" <[email protected]> >>>> Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 10:50 AM >>>> To: <[email protected]> >>>> Subject: Re: [Cherokee Circle] land cessions >>>> >>>> > 'Siyo >>>> > >>>> > Thanks for the reply, but I may have been asking for the wrong thing. >>>> > There was an attempt to "civilize" or make citizens of some of the >>>> > Cherokees in 1817. They had a choice to apply for 640 acres of land >>>> > in Tennessee, Georgia and maybe Alabama and become US citizens or go >>>> > to Arkansas. I will go to the National Archives in Georgia next week, >>>> > but am not quite sure of how to look this up. Do you have any ideas >>>> > on this? >>>> > Nancy McG >>>> > >>>> > On Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 10:45 AM, Bill <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >> 'siyo, >>>> >> >>>> >> http://www.tngenweb.org/cessions/ >>>> >> >>>> >> Sgi, >>>> >> >>>> >> Nill >>>> >> -=- >>>> >> >>>> >> Nancy McGinty wrote: >>>> >>> Can anyone refer me to a place where I might read more about the > land >>>> >>> cessions of 1817. Were any of these lands around Knox county, TN? >>>> >>> Nancy MCG >>>> >>> ======*====== >>>> >>> >>>> >>> >>>> >> ======*====== >>>> >> List archives >>>> >> http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee >>>> >> ------------------------------- >>>> >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>>> >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>>> >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>>> >> >>>> > >>>> > ======*====== >>>> > List archives >>>> > http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee >>>> > ------------------------------- >>>> > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>>> > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>>> > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>>> >>>> ======*====== >>>> List archives >>>> http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee >>>> ------------------------------- >>>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>>> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >>> ======*====== >>> List archives >>> http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> ======*====== >> List archives >> http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >> > >  ======*====== > List archives > http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > >  ======*====== > List archives > http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index?list=cherokee > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >