NatureWorks and Tulsa County Parks dedicate bison monument at LaFortune Park

TULSA, Okla. — NatureWorks and Tulsa County Parks dedicated the first of 40 bison statues at LaFortune Park Thursday morning as part of The Tulsa Herd monument.

The Tulsa Herd is led by NatureWorks, a nonprofit dedicated to wildlife conservation and education. Nature Works has donated more than 30 monuments since 1995.

The Tulsa Herd was created to raise awareness for conservation while honoring the iconic great plains animal.

“Bison are the largest land animal in North America. Once, they roamed in large herds across much of the continental United States and even into Canada and Mexico.  There were estimated to be 30 to 60 million bison.  By the late 1800s, fewer than 1,000 bison existed. As a result of determined conservation efforts, there are now approximately 500,000 bison in North America,” said Harvey Payne, NatureWorks Stewardship recipient in a press release.  “The Tulsa Herd at LaFortune Park recaptures in bronze much of the aura and mystique of the large herds of bison that once  roamed this landscape for millennia.”

The dedication ceremony included G.T. Bynum explaining the significance of the monument and the importance of developing wildlife preserves.

NatureWorks says the first bison were installed last year, but officially dedicated today.

NatureWorks says $3.5 million is still needed to meet the goal of 40 bison statues and fully complete the project. The second and third additions will be installed soon.

You can find more information on The Tulsa Herd by clicking here .