VISION: Catalyze the social and ecological conditions needed for bison to reclaim their ecological and cultural role across North AmericaMOTTO: Biocultural!North American Bison (Bison bison) once thundered across North America 30 million strong, feeding and sustaining human and natural communities, and leaving an indelible mark on the heart and soul of North America’s heritage. By the early 1900’s a combination of commercial hunting, novel diseases, and systematic extermination had driven plains bison to the brink of extinction, devastating many of the cultural and ecological systems with which this iconic species was intimately intertwined. The dedicated efforts of individuals, private organizations, and Tribes, First Nations and governments ultimately prevented bison’s extinction. But today bison occupy less than 1% of their historic range and the connection between bison, Indigenous peoples, and the prairie ecosystems where they roamed - once assumed indelible - has been tragically severed.We believe that successful restoration of the American bison mandates a new conservation model. Our work recognizes bison as both an ecological and cultural keystone species and is thus centered in a biocultural approach that draws on different values, identities, and knowledge systems. We embrace the dynamic and diverse tools that science, culture, law, economics, art, policy, and civic engagement offer. Further, this work must be fueled by catalytic collaboration and coordination that bridges boundaries, borders, and barriers of all types: political, cultural, economic, and emotional. IN THE NEWSIn the Salt Lake Tribune: The Buffalo Way is a Model to Heal a Divided Nation. Read HERE. In the Albuquerque Journal: Restoring Bison with the Principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and JusticeWCS’s Cristina Mormorunni co-writes a fascinating oped on bison conservation. Read it HERE. In the Washington Post and On ABC News: WCS Analysis of Bison Genetic DiversityA study shows bison may be losing their genetic diversity. Read the article with quotes from WCS’s Cynthia Hartway, who led the analysis. ABC HERE, Washington Post HERE. In the High Plains Journal: Rewilding North American BisonThis article reports on the 100+ year history of WCS’s restoration efforts. Read the account HERE.In the Albuquerque Journal: Restoring Bison with the Principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
VISION: Catalyze the social and ecological conditions needed for bison to reclaim their ecological and cultural role across North America
MOTTO: Biocultural!
North American Bison (Bison bison) once thundered across North America 30 million strong, feeding and sustaining human and natural communities, and leaving an indelible mark on the heart and soul of North America’s heritage. By the early 1900’s a combination of commercial hunting, novel diseases, and systematic extermination had driven plains bison to the brink of extinction, devastating many of the cultural and ecological systems with which this iconic species was intimately intertwined. The dedicated efforts of individuals, private organizations, and Tribes, First Nations and governments ultimately prevented bison’s extinction. But today bison occupy less than 1% of their historic range and the connection between bison, Indigenous peoples, and the prairie ecosystems where they roamed - once assumed indelible - has been tragically severed.
We believe that successful restoration of the American bison mandates a new conservation model. Our work recognizes bison as both an ecological and cultural keystone species and is thus centered in a biocultural approach that draws on different values, identities, and knowledge systems. We embrace the dynamic and diverse tools that science, culture, law, economics, art, policy, and civic engagement offer. Further, this work must be fueled by catalytic collaboration and coordination that bridges boundaries, borders, and barriers of all types: political, cultural, economic, and emotional.
IN THE NEWS
In the Salt Lake Tribune: The Buffalo Way is a Model to Heal a Divided Nation.
Read HERE.
In the Albuquerque Journal: Restoring Bison with the Principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
WCS’s Cristina Mormorunni co-writes a fascinating oped on bison conservation. Read it HERE.
In the Washington Post and On ABC News: WCS Analysis of Bison Genetic Diversity
A study shows bison may be losing their genetic diversity. Read the article with quotes from WCS’s Cynthia Hartway, who led the analysis. ABC HERE, Washington Post HERE.
In the High Plains Journal: Rewilding North American Bison
This article reports on the 100+ year history of WCS’s restoration efforts. Read the account HERE.