September 2026 Meeting: The American Bison by Amber Ross

Discover the story of the American bison’s return to Kane County after more than 200 years. This presentation explores the history of bison in Illinois, their vital role in restoring tallgrass prairie ecosystems, and the collaborative conservation efforts that brought them back to Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve. Learn how these iconic animals are helping revive native landscapes while strengthening connections to the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Amber Ross has been a Naturalist with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County since 2023. She graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife from the School of Agriculture. Amber grew up in rural Indiana, where the only thing to do was to play outside – that’s where her love of nature began. Upon graduating, Amber started her career with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as a seasonal Naturalist at Indiana Dunes State Park. Since then, her career has taken her to several other environmental organizations. Most recently, she is proud to have built many partnerships with regional special recreation associations to lead nature programming for their special-needs adult communities.