Rally for the Buffalo in Montana's State Capital!
Dear Buffalo Friends in Montana,
Join Buffalo Field Campaign and other wild bison advocates on Monday, January 5, 2009 for a *RALLY IN HELENA*! We need you to stand with us for the buffalo as both Governor Brian Schweitzer and the Montana Legislature are sworn into office. Stand with us to let the Montana Governor and the Legislature know that wild buffalo have a right to migrate into and be treated respectfully in Montana!
* WHO: Everyone who cares about restoring wild bison in Montana
* WHAT: March & Rally with banners, puppets, speakers and take action items
* WHEN: Monday, January 5, 2009. 9:00 - 10:30 am
* WHERE: Meet at Women’s Park then we’ll march to the state capital around 9:30 am. Women’s Park is located between Neill and Fuller Avenues, near N. Last Chance Gulch, about a mile from the state capital building. Visit Google Maps, and type in Women’s Park, Helena, Montana for a map and directions.
* WHY: America’s last wild bison that migrate into Montana from Yellowstone National Park continue to be harassed and killed for following their natural instincts. Last year, the state of Montana and Yellowstone National Park perpetuated the largest-scale wild bison slaughter since the 1800’s, killing more than 1,600 wild bison. During Governor Schweitzer’s first term, more wild bison were killed than under the combined three terms of the governors who preceded him, even though when he first campaigned he did so under the promise to provide “more tolerance for wild bison in Montana.”
We gather to hold the Governor accountable for his actions against wild bison, to encourage him to support actions recognizing wild bison as a valued wildlife species in Montana, and to provide year-round habitat for this special, prehistoric species.
When he ran for office Governor Schweitzer said that the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) is “ill-equipped to manage wild buffalo.” We will ask the Montana legislature to repeal MCA 81-2-120, the current law that places the Montana Department of Livestock in charge of bison management, and urge them to support LC0128, the Montana Wild Buffalo Recovery and Concervation Act of 2009; a bill that will remove the DOL’s authority, respect wild bison, and designate Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as the managing agency.
We will also have post cards on hand for you to sign and mail or hand deliver to your state legislators, and we’ll have enough post cards for you to take back to your community. Hot beverages and snacks will be provided to keep you warm and happy!
CONTRIBUTE YOUR CREATIVITY & ENERGY! There are many ways you can help make this rally a success:
Join us and bring your friends and family
Make banners, puppets, masks (Message should include: Year-round habitat, Respect bison as wildlife, Remove the DOL’s authority, or any others that are close to your heart for the buffalo)
Organize or be available for carpools to get as many people as possible to attend
Distribute fliers around your community (flyer to be distributed in subsequent email)
Contact local media to let them know about the event
Write letters to the editor of local and regional newspapers to talk about the buffalo
We look forward to seeing you there! Please spread the word to save the herds!
For more information, please visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org or contact bfc-media@wildrockies.org
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Media & Outreach
Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
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This event has been endorsed by Buffalo Allies of Bozeman
