The Trump administration has revoked grazing permits for 900 bison owned by American Prairie, a nonprofit conservation group, to prioritize cattle ranching on federal lands. The move, justified under the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, classifies bison as wildlife rather than livestock, sparking a fierce debate between environmentalists and Western conservatives.

The decision aligns with Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and ranchers like Perri Jacobs, who argue federal lands should focus on food production. American Prairie, which has spent two decades acquiring leases to create a bison sanctuary, faces costly relocations if the policy takes effect. Conservation groups and Native American tribes warn the eviction threatens cultural revival efforts and ecological balance.

Ranchers, including Kendall Koss, support the shift amid rising beef prices and land costs, though some acknowledge tensions with American Prairie’s efforts to coexist with cattle. The clash reflects broader conflicts over public land use, as the administration pushes for expanded oil drilling, mining, and logging.

$43 million in 2024 donations and $207 million in assets underscore American Prairie’s financial clout, even as local ranchers grapple with affordability. The dispute highlights a widening divide between conservation funding and rural economic pressures in the American West.