Buffalo Bill Center releases special edition bison book ahead of Buffalo Nation exhibition

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West has released a special edition of Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd to coincide with its Buffalo Nation exhibition opening in August 2026. The book ties Yellowstone’s bison recovery to Tribal restoration, conservation efforts and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Why it matters: - The special edition links a new conservation book to Buffalo Nation, the Center of the West’s major exhibition opening in August 2026. - The release puts Yellowstone’s bison recovery in the context of Tribal restoration, ecosystem health and public education. - A portion of book sales supports Yellowstone National Park’s Bison Conservation Transfer Program.

What happened: - The Buffalo Bill Center of the West released a special edition of Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd. - Yellowstone Forever published the original book, which focuses on the history, ecology and recovery of Yellowstone National Park’s bison herd. - The special edition is available at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Points West Market. - The book’s publication date is July 4, 2026. - Buffalo Nation opens in August 2026 at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

The details: - Chris Geremia, Yellowstone National Park’s bison manager, wrote the book. - Tom Murphy contributed photography and commentary. - Murphy said the book reflects his 45-year photographic search to show the beauty, power and resilience of Yellowstone’s wild bison. - The special edition opens with a prologue by Arthur Middleton, Tucker Russell and Kristin Barker of the Beyond Yellowstone Living Lab. - The prologue highlights bison recovery on the Wind River Indian Reservation and other sovereign Tribal lands. - The book includes a foreword by Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly. - The hardcover edition runs 244 pages and costs $59.99. - Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. - Geremia began studying Yellowstone’s bison in 2002 and has tracked their migrations on skis. - Murphy has documented Yellowstone’s wilderness since skiing across the park in 1985.

Between the lines: - The book release doubles as a preview of Buffalo Nation’s themes, especially the relationship between people and bison across North America. - The exhibition will use Indigenous perspectives, cultural and ecological insights, historical artifacts, contemporary art and immersive visitor experiences. - The Center is positioning bison recovery as both a conservation story and a broader story about changing human attitudes toward wildlife. - The book’s framing suggests Yellowstone’s herd is being used as a model for wild bison remaining wild while expanding Tribal-led restoration efforts.

What's next: - Buffalo Nation is scheduled to open in August 2026. - The Center will continue selling the special edition through its Points West Market. - Yellowstone Forever will receive support from book proceeds through the Bison Conservation Transfer Program.

The bottom line: - The Center is using a new bison book to build momentum for Buffalo Nation while channeling attention and dollars toward bison conservation.