National Bison Day 2026

Celebrate National Bison Day at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with hayrides, educational programs, bison-themed crafts, a naturalist talk, and plenty of family-friendly fun! Bring the whole herd to AWCC for a special day celebrating one of North America’s most iconic animals: the bison! National Bison Day is an annual celebration recognizing the American bison, its remarkable conservation story, and its ecological, cultural, and historical importance as the national mammal of the United States. Here in Alaska, AWCC has an extra-special reason to celebrate. The Center has played an important role in the conservation and restoration of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae), helping return this once-extirpated species to the Alaska landscape. Learn more about AWCC’s role in the Wood Bison Restoration Project. Schedule of Events All National Bison Day activities are FREE with admission to AWCC! 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Hayrides Around AWCC Hop aboard for a hayride around the sanctuary! Hayrides depart from the Matson Ocean Education Center. 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Bison Activities, Crafts & Education Stop by the Matson Ocean Education Center for hands-on fun with AWCC’s Education Team. Make a watercolor bookmark, play bison-themed games, explore biofacts, and discover what makes these massive mammals so remarkable. 11:30 AM | Wood Bison Naturalist Talk Meet an AWCC naturalist and learn about wood bison, their adaptations, behavior, and incredible conservation story. The talk will take place near the bison herd or inside the Matson Ocean Education Center, depending on conditions. 11:30 AM | Facebook LIVE Can’t make it to AWCC? Join us on Facebook LIVE! Learn about wood bison, see what’s happening at the sanctuary, and get your bison questions answered in real time. Hay Rides at AWCC Guests Making Bison Crafts Bison Day Hay Rides with Glacier Bison Crafts Team AWCC with Bison Get to Know the Wood Bison Big, fast and surprisingly agile! Bison are the largest land mammals in North America, but don’t let their size fool you. They are powerful athletes capable of swimming, jumping up to six feet, and running approximately 35 to 40 miles per hour. A remarkable comeback story. Wood bison once roamed Alaska, but their population declined dramatically due to factors including unregulated hunting, habitat changes, and interbreeding with plains bison. By the 20th century, wood bison had disappeared from Alaska. AWCC has been proud to support the State of Alaska’s efforts to restore wood bison to their native range. Through breeding, animal care, research, and partnerships, AWCC has helped prepare wood bison for release into the wild, contributing to one of Alaska’s great wildlife restoration stories. Built for grazing. Wood bison primarily eat grasses, sedges, and forbs. During the summer, they may spend 9 to 11 hours each day grazing and building the reserves they need for winter. Their grazing also plays an important ecological role by supporting soil health, nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, and habitat for other native species. Born ready to move. Wood bison generally live in herds, and calves are impressive from their very first day. Newborn calves can stand within about 30 minutes of birth and are reddish in color before gradually developing their darker adult coats. AWCC is one of the few facilities involved in breeding wood bison for release into the wild. Careful breeding management helps maintain genetic diversity and supports the long-term health of Alaska’s wild wood bison population. A national icon. The American bison was officially designated the National Mammal of the United States in 2016, recognizing the species’ tremendous ecological, historical, and cultural significance. Bison or buffalo? Despite the nickname “buffalo,” the animals found in North America are bison. True buffalo, including African buffalo and water buffalo, are native to Africa and Asia. Come celebrate the mighty wood bison, learn about their incredible return to Alaska, and enjoy a fun-filled day with the whole herd at AWCC! Help spread the word with the event flyer: