A Baseline Inventory Assessment of Biological and Cultural Impacts of Buffalo Restoration in Indian Country

Lead Applicant:  Megan Davenport

Organization:  InterTribal Buffalo Council

Abstract:  Restoration of North American buffalo (Bison bison) is occurring across the United States for a wide variety of reasons, with federally recognized Native Nations representing tens of millions of acres on which this movement is occurring. Collective Tribal efforts manifest through the work of the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), whose membership of 71 Native Nations grows every year. As both a cultural and ecological keystone species, buffalo impact Tribal communities in a wide variety of ways. ITBC Member Tribes’ buffalo herds represent a wide variety of geographies, management styles, and resources, yet a dearth of baseline data exists to understand the impacts of buffalo on these lands. This study aims to utilize a participatory science approach to data collection in order to establish a baseline assessment of some of the biological and cultural impacts of buffalo restoration efforts.

Funding:  $35,000 over 1 year

Skills

Posted on

August 24, 2021

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