Bison sculpture now grazing on more traditional pasture

Members of the community came together on a rainy Thursday afternoon to plant native prairie grasses and flowers around the High Plains Museum’s iconic bison. From left: Addie Piernicky, Linda Buck, Jerda Garey-Vickers, Sue Doak, Laci Ingels, and Daniel Pore.

Isaac Nielsen/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The landscaping around the beloved bison sculpture resting in front of the Carnegie Library of the High Plains Museum got an upgrade Thursday afternoon and is going back to the bison’s roots, both literally and metaphorically.

The project was completed by the Pheasants Forever group, which aims to conserve wildlife through habitat improvements and other advocacy. Addie Piernicky, who works as a Farm Bill Biologist in the area for Pheasants Forever, presented members of the Museum’s Board of Directors with a donation of native prairie grasses and flowers for the project in hopes that they could give the impression of the bison resting in its natural landscape, just as it did when the Great Plains were covered with herds of buffalo.

The Board initially conceived the project, says member Susan Doak:

“The Museum of the High Plains Board of Directors recognized the grass surrounding the sculpture was degraded and wanted a solution that would enhance, rather than distract from the sculpture. Plus when the new landscaping matured, [it] would help protect the Bison from the harsh effects of city water spraying on it from the sprinkler system.”

A bed of brown mulch will be placed around the bison in order for photography to be still possible. The seedlings and plants are expected to take around two years to shape into the project’s vision. Still, Doak says, “The board is excited to see the results and appreciative of the work Addie has done and the donation of plants and seeds from Pheasants Forever.”