The American Serengeti Emerges: American Prairie Surpasses Size of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

February 19, 2026

Conservation organization celebrates a year of conservation growth and rewilding

Lewistown, Montana (February 19, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – American Prairie is pleased to announce a landmark year that has transformed more than 600,000 acres of Montana’s Northern Great Plains into one of the largest wild landscapes in the United States. Defined by strategic land acquisitions and the 20th anniversary of its bison restoration program, 2025 marks a turning point for public access to the American West.

“This year has been a testament to the power of shared vision. Seeing the landscape heal and the bison herd thrive reminds us that we aren’t just protecting land; we are restoring a quintessential American experience for everyone,” said Alison Fox, CEO of American Prairie. “While we celebrate the immense impact our team and supporters have had on the land, wildlife, and the public in 2025, we must remember that restoring a complete, functioning ecosystem is a generational challenge. The work of rewilding, removing barriers to wildlife movement, and securing permanent public access is far from finished.”

Milestones and Impact

As the organization enters its 25th year, American Prairie reports the following impact on the American landscape:

• A New Frontier of Scale: The organization has expanded its habitat base to more than 600,000 acres. This vast area is larger than the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, putting American Prairie among the top 10 largest protected areas in the contiguous United States, offering a scale of wilderness rarely seen outside of Alaska.
• 20 Years of Bison: This year marked two decades of bison restoration. In twenty short years, the herd has grown from 16 animals to more than 940 bison roaming 48,000 acres—an area roughly the size of Washington D.C., where the public can now witness the return of a keystone species in its natural habitat.
• A Rare Return: Following the 2025 opening of the black-footed ferret exhibit at the National Discovery Center, American Prairie is bringing one of North America’s most endangered mammals into the spotlight. This immersive experience serves as a vital educational gateway, connecting thousands of visitors to the ongoing recovery efforts of this “ghost of the prairie.”
• Restoring the Landscape: Field teams removed over 500,000 pounds of scrap metal and fencing—a weight equivalent to the Statue of Liberty—clearing the way for wildlife to move freely across the land.
• Unlocking “Landlocked” Public Acres: Through the strategic acquisition of Anchor Ranch, American Prairie has returned access to 50,000 acres of previously unreachable public land to the American people. This move opens an area equivalent to nearly 38,000 football fields for public hiking, hunting, and exploration.
• Record Visitation: The organization welcomed record visitation, with 6,600 overnight guests seeking an off-the-grid escape utilizing huts, campgrounds, and yurts, and 5,000 visitors touring the National Discovery Center in Lewistown.
• Partnership Programs: The Wild Sky program grew to 70,000 acres, proving that conservation and ranching can thrive side-by-side. The program now partners with 21 local landowners dedicated to wildlife-friendly practices that protect the economic and ecological health of the region.
• The Next Generation of Stewards: The American Prairie Field School doubled in size, reaching nearly 2,500 students in just four years. Additionally, a new wave of “citizen conservationists” contributed more than 3,000 hours on projects such as beaver dam construction, fence removal, and prairie dog plague mitigation.

“We know this has not been an easy year for everyone, which makes our shared accomplishments feel all the more meaningful,” added Fox. “We want to take this time to say thank you to our supporters—whether you’ve volunteered, donated, visited, bought a hat, attended an event at the National Discovery Center, or brought us up in conversation with a friend, you are a part of our story. Thank you for your commitment to us, our mission, and to Montana’s Northern Great Plains.”

Whether by visiting the National Discovery Center, volunteering for field projects, or contributing to the next land acquisition, you can help stitch together one of America’s greatest wild landscapes. Learn more at americanprairie.org.

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About American Prairie

American Prairie’s vision is to create a vast and collaboratively managed prairie destination that serves as a fully functioning ecosystem for wildlife, and offers visitors permanent access to the landscape that shaped our nation’s character. American Prairie offers visitors an opportunity to learn about and connect with nature on a truly grand scale. Learn more at americanprairie.org.

Contact:

Kate Schmieding
Phone: 704-575-8499
Email: AP@obviouslee.com