New West Network

My Page: Jim Macdonald

Brucellosis outbreak where there are no bison shows that IBMP is not working for buffalo or for cows.

(Bozeman, Mont.) – The grassroots citizens group Buffalo Allies of Bozeman responded to the Monday announcement of brucellosis in a cattle herd in the Paradise Valley with a challenge to Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer to withdraw from the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP). [more]

(Bozeman, Mont.) – In a winter where more wild buffalo have been killed than at any time since the 19th century in and near Yellowstone National Park, concerned local residents in the Bozeman area have formed Buffalo Allies of Bozeman – a new grassroots group taking action on behalf of the American bison.

“We believed we needed to build a community of action so that the slaughter we have seen this year, where over 1,600 animals have been killed, never happens again,” said Mel Schroeder, one of the members of Buffalo Allies of Bozeman. [more]

As Yellowstone's buffalo population plummets from 4,700 to 2,300, people have questioned whether this is a serious issue, whether those acting for the buffalo might spend their time in better ways. At the same time, other mainstream environmental groups have promoted a deal the Park Service and the governor of Montana have announced this week, which though they claim is flawed, they promote as a good "first step." "Is this a good step, or is there something else we might be doing?" is a question one might ask of both. As an advocate for buffalo but a critic of the deal announced last week, how can I answer that question - that I should be acting on behalf of buffalo in Yellowstone but reject that we should be taking the route proposed by the mainstream environmental groups? This essay aims to answer both. The common thread that clarifies how we should look at this is a rejection of basing our ethical decisions on utilitarianism, or the belief that we should always "act for the greatest good for the greatest number." [more]

Chief Arvol Looking Horse led a prayer ceremony for the buffalo inside Yellowstone National Park, outside of the Stephens Creek capture facility, from which a record number of buffalo have been shipped to slaughter. This is a report, (not of the prayer ceremony itself, which was not recorded), of the day in context of that and the current buffalo situation. [more]

A report on last night's event "Fighting for the Buffalo" in Bozeman, featuring Mike Mease of Buffalo Field Campaign, as well as information on the first organizing meeting for Bozeman residents interested on action on the buffalo as well as other local issues of environmental, economic, and social justice. [more]

In a world of so many people, where the few represent the many, how do each of us find our voice? Is it in participating in big processes, or is it tied to our immediate experience? This essay argues for small community action tied directly to our immediate experience as the only means for making global changes. In Bozeman, for the author personally, it means being part of a grassroots group that takes on local issues of concern, starting with a March 26 event considering the slaughter of the buffalo in Yellowstone. [more]