Improvements Continue On Buffalo Trail
Improvements continue to be made to attract tourists to the buffalo trail on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation located north of Poplar.
During 2024, the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes were the recipients of a fouryear, $5 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The grant was awarded by the America the Beautiful Challenge program.
The results of the grant will include increasing the buffalo herd, expanding the area, and number of employees for the Fort Peck Turtle Mound Buffalo Ranch and related project activities.
Extension of the buffalo trail could increase in distance from .6 miles to possibly 11 miles. Other plans include the addition of story poles, additional wildlife-friendly fencing, increased eco-tourism capacities and developing and promoting educational youth programs. The team to develop lessons for area students is being led by Suzanne Turnbull, under contract with FPCC, alongside numerous partners from FPCC, MSU, Defenders of Wildlife, Ecology Project International and other organizations. With guidance from scientists, tribal leaders and range field technicians, field trip groups will engage in citizen science learning.
The grassroots Pté group’s goal is to engage Fort Peck tribal members in community building initiatives intended to rejuvenate ongoing and life giving connections with their buffalo relatives. Kai Teague was selected by the Tribes to serve as program manager for the grant.
They will be instrumental in all developmental and communications activities.
The group’s premise is that as the bison prosper so will all people who connect with them for learning, spiritual development, physical and mental health and well-being. Turnbull, member and co-leader of the Pté group, said there is excitement about the future planned initiatives.
Members of the Pté group have worked hard to prepare an eco-lodge. Montana State University’s Dr. Dan Atwater brought about 15 students to the buffalo ranches for more than two days for rangeland assessment activities last June. They, and a separate group that included trail architect Mike Everts from MSU, were the first to stay at the existing facility. Architecture students will work with the Pté Group and Jonny Lee Bearcub Stiffarm’s leadership over the coming years to design and hopefully fund a more permanent, comfortable and eco-friendly structure.
Officials say a goal is to increase eco-tourism capacity and value of the buffalo connections trail and eco-lodge. This project will establish hunter, tourist and classroom field trip activities on the ranch.
