The goal of the OTS Bison Program is to support Tribes’ Bison development and introduction efforts by supporting self-determination of Tribal management of Bison on Tribal Trust Lands. The Bison Program’s scope of service encompasses cultural, historic and educational uses of Bison, including religious, spiritual and subsistence uses.
As part of this effort, the OTS Division of Natural Resources is tasked with expanding Bison technical assistance efforts with the formation of a new Branch of Bison for FY2023. The Branch of Bison will assist Tribes seeking to increase and expand new herds for genetic diversity and to increase Indigenous healthy food initiative efforts.
Bison Project Request for Proposals
On September 7, 2023, OTS announced the Bison Project: $1.5 million in competitive funding to support 3 non-recurring 1-year projects for ecosystem restoration supported by bison conservation and expansion.
Federally-recognized Indian Tribal Governments and authorized Tribal organizations may submit proposals by email to their BIA Regional Offices within 30 calendar days of this announcement. Full eligibility details and ranking criteria for proposals are included in the Request for Proposals.
Who We Serve
The Branch of Agriculture and Rangeland Development (BARD) supports Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regional offices and agencies to provide programs and services for Tribes and individual Indian landowners.
BIA agencies provide services to Indian farmers and ranchers to evaluate, develop, and make improvements on their trust land. BARD supports these services by providing policy, oversight, and technical assistance
Services We Provide
About the Branch of Agriculture and Rangeland Development
The Branch of Agriculture and Rangeland Development is part of the Division of Natural Resources and headquartered in the Bureau of Indian Affairs central office in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Under the authority of the American Indian Agricultural Resource Management Act (P.L. 103-177) and the Indian Self Determination and Education Act (P.L. 93-638), the branch provides support for Tribal agricultural programs under Tribal contracts and direct implementation, covering over 46 million acres of Indian land used for farming and grazing by livestock and game animals.
