Bringing Buffalo Back (2025)

NOTE: This episode was originally released in July 2025.

Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) shares how Native Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo populations, reclaim food sovereignty, and heal the land. From spiritual connections to practical conservation, this interview explores how buffalo are more than just wildlife — they are relatives, providers, and symbols of resilience.

Links for More Info:

Heather Dawn Thompson bio

Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration

WWF's Plains Bison page

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

1:13 Intro

2:57 Heather Dawn's background and role at WWF

8:45 History of buffalo and connection with Native Nations

11:19 Role of Heather Dawn's family in conserving buffalo

13:44 What's it like to see a buffalo in real life?

15:18 Buffalo harvest story

16:47 Connection between buffalo and healthy grasslands

21:05 Buffalo and food sovereignty for Native Nations

24:07 Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration

29:20 Biggest challenges to buffalo restoration