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Bison Bash! Hundreds gather to see the spring release of the 2024 Belwin Conservancy herd

The 29 animals will be back in their native habitat until mid-September.

AFTON, Minn. — At the annual Belwin Bison Festival on Saturday, nearly a thousand people gathered on the prairie to see 29 bison return to their warm-weather home.

The 2024 Northstar Bison herd will live in Afton through mid-September. 

Conservancy officials said these animals are vital to the prairie's ecosystem and the herd has around 130 acres to roam

"Their feet will aerate the soil, they have an enzyme in their saliva, and they really help the flowers grow... most biodiverse prairie at Belwin," said Executive Director Katie Bloome. 

Saturday's event also featured a 5k run, live music and food trucks. 

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