Office of the Secretary of the Interior

The official logo and seal of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), which represents the Office of the Secretary, features a male bison.

Key Design Elements

• Central Figure: A male bison (often referred to as a buffalo) facing left.
• Background: The bison stands on a prairie with mountains and a rising sun in the distance.
• Border: Two concentric circles enclose the imagery.
• Inscriptions:
  • Top Arc: "U.S. Department of the Interior".
  • Bottom Arc: "March 3, 1849" (the date the department was created).

History and Usage

• Origin: The bison design first appeared in 1917, replacing an earlier eagle seal.
• Status: It is the primary emblem for the department as of 2026.
• Legal Note: The seal is in the public domain for government use, but its commercial or unofficial use requires written approval from the department.

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