Legislation has been introduced to both chambers of Congress to provide permanent protection for wolves, grizzly bears, and bison and to expand recovery efforts for them.

Crafted by U.S. Rep. Rául Grijalva of Arizona and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, the Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly Bear, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act introduced on Thursday would also "enhance existing tribal management authorities over these species by creating oversight committees that work in unison with tribes to identify tribal lands suitable for possible reintroduction efforts."

"Bison, grizzly bears, and wolves hold significant spiritual, cultural, and ecological value to many tribal communities and our nation,” said Grijalva, the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Booker to enshrine protections for these species and ensure that conservation and management are conducted in close consultation with tribal nations. For centuries, the United States’ policies have systematically failed to honor our treaties, harming tribal nations and resulting in significant cultural losses and ecological damage. Congress has a trust responsibility to move forward from past injustices and craft policies for the future that are based on respect and recognition of tribal nations’ leadership in recovering these iconic species and their habitats."

Booker added that "American bison, grizzly bears, and gray wolves are iconic American species and are timeless symbols of our nation’s heritage, yet these animals were driven to the brink of extinctio. Building on the success of past conservation legislation like the American Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, I am proud to introduce legislation that directs the Secretary of the Interior to work closely with Indigenous communities to ensure permanent protection for these animals.”

American bison, grizzly bears, and gray wolves hold important cultural significance to many Indigenous peoples of North America, a release from Grijalva's office said. Despite their important ecological roles and cultural symbolism, during the 19th and 20th centuries each of these species was hunted to the point of eradication from most of their historic range throughout the continental United States. The elimination of these animals from their traditional ranges has dramatically compromised the integrity of their former ecosystems. Continuing to reestablish their presence – and prohibiting future eradication efforts – will restore the health of these ecosystems.

As seen with the 1995 reintroduction of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park, reestablishing keystone species in their former ranges can have significant benefits to the ecosystem. The 1995 introduction rebalanced elk and deer populations, allowing vegetation to flourish in response to reduced herbivore grazing pressure. This landmark conservation effort helped re-stabilize the Yellowstone ecosystem, while creating an immense boom in ecotourism revenue that now generates an annual average of over $80 million for local economies in the Greater Yellowstone region. Grizzly bears play a similar role by regulating prey populations and preventing overgrazing, while bison grazing and foraging aid in plant growth and increase biodiversity by aerating soil and dispersing native seeds. These are just a few examples that demonstrate the positive impacts that bison, grizzly bears, and wolves have on North American ecosystems.

Specifically, the Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly Bear, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act would:

• Prohibit the take, possession, purchase, sale, or transport of American bison, grizzly bears, and wolves, exclusive of captive-bred bison intended for human consumption, with targeted exceptions authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for scientific or conservation purposes and for protection of agricultural interests and public safety. 
• Exempt religious, cultural or treaty-reserved purposes of federally recognized Indian Tribes.
• Provide for civil and criminal penalties for violations.
• Require consultation with federally recognized Indian Tribes before a take permit is issued under this Act or before any activity is carried out on the tribal land of a federally recognized Indian Tribe that may negatively impact habitat or increase mortality of bison, grizzly bears or wolves.
• Authorize federally recognized Indian Tribes, in consultation with the Secretary, to manage bison, grizzly bears and wolves reintroduced on tribal land.

To celebrate the legislation, a rally will be held Sunday at 10:30 a.m. EST at the Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C. The International Wildlife Coexistence Network, Guardians of the Wolves, Western Watersheds Project, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, Cuetlachtepetl Wolf Mountain Education Center, Humane Society US, Sierra Club, Tahoe Wolf Center, the Endangered Species Coalition and their partners invite the public to stand in solidarity with tribal leaders to protect America’s most iconic wildlife and landscapes.  

Speakers will include:   

• Devin Oldman, Arapaho, Wind River  

• Julian Matthews, Nez Perce, Coordinator, Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment  

• Chiara Enriquez, Karankawa Hawk Clan, Council Member  

• Vivan Delgado, Yaqui and Tewa Pueblo  

• Christinia Eala, Sicangu Lakota, Tiyospayn Winyan Maka, Founder   

• Red Fawn Janis, Oglala Lakota  

• Sheelah Bearfoot, Chiricahua Apache   

• Osvaldo Cabral, Huichol/Zacatecos, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Cuetlachtepetl Wolf Mountain Education Center  

• Tony Evans, Mohawk, Author, Journalist    

• Dallas Gudgell – Yankton Dakota, Wildlife and Tribal Policy Director, IWCN   

 The groups behind the rally say the legislation "represents a crucial new paradigm in the fight for wildlife conservation and the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage. This legislation aims to ensure that wolves, bison, and grizzly bears continue to thrive in their natural habitats, fulfilling their vital roles within North American ecosystems under tribal co-stewardship. "