Bison are North America's largest land animals.
Some 170,000 wood bison once roamed northern regions, while at least 30 million plains bison trekked across the rest of the continent. Almost driven to extinction in the 1800s by decades of slaughter and hunting, this ecological and cultural keystone species supports biodiversity and strengthens the ecosystems around it. Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers celebrates the traditions and teachings of Indigenous Peoples and looks at how bison lovers of all backgrounds came together to save these iconic animals. Learn about the places where bison are regaining a hoof-hold and meet some of the young people who are welcoming bison back home.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Praise for Frances Backhouse:
★"An important book for helping kids see past the sterotypes of terrifying grizzly bears and join the call for conservation."-School Library Journal, starred review for Grizzly Bears
"The impressively comprehensive text is chatty and entertaining...This illuminating avian introduction is sure to make an owl out of anyone."-Booklist, review for Owls
"An engaging book that will leave readers spouting facts about beavers. Students will have a new appreciation for these innovative builders and their significant impact on the landscape and ecosystems of North America."-School Library Journal, review for Beavers
Key Selling Points:
• Bison are a keystone species. Facing extinction, a successful conservation plan brought these animals back from the brink. This STEAM title examines the biology and habitat of bison, their role as a keystone species, their importance to Indigenous culture, conservation efforts and how kids can take action for bison.
• Bison are "watchable wildlife" that can be easily observed in many American and Canadian parks and conservation areas, including tourist hotspots like Yellowstone National Park, which gets close to 5 million visitors a year.
• Bison conservation is a major focus for Indigenous communities in North America that have a traditional relationship with this species. For many in these communities, restoring bison is intimately tied to their own cultural revival.
• The bison is the national mammal of the United States. (It's also the provincial animal of Manitoba and state animal of Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming.) In the U.S., the first Saturday in November is National Bison Day, and July is National Bison Month. In Canada, National Bison Week begins on the second Sunday in July.
• Frances Backhouse is a biologist and science writer. She's also an award-winning author and has written Beavers, Grizzly Bears and Owls also in the Orca Wild series. Beavers was shortlisted for a Hackmatack, Red Cedar and City of Victoria Book Prize.
Part of the nonfiction Orca Wild series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book introduces kids to North American bison. It discusses bison history, habitat, biology and threats to survival, and how scientists, conservationists and young people are working to protect bison everywhere.
Frances Backhouse studied biology in university and worked as a park naturalist and biologist before becoming an environmental journalist and author. Her other Orca Wild series books include Owls: Who Gives a Hoot?, Grizzly Bears: Guardians of the Wilderness and Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers. She is also the award-winning author of six books for adults. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia. The Orca Wild series travels over land, up in the air and underwater to meet the animals who live in our world. It challenges young readers to think about the relationships, both good and bad, that humans have with vulnerable species and habitats. Meet the Herd
Bison are North America's largest land animals. Thirty million plains bison once ranged across the continent, but overhunting in the 1800s a
