More than 5,000 wild-type bison are helping restore native prairie, boost biodiversity and strengthen long-term ecosystem recovery in Canada through a family-led rewilding project spanning more than three decades.
“Bison are not just part of the ecosystem, they are the key to rewilding the ecosystem,” said Tom Olson, founder of the Olson Bison Rewilding Project and lifelong conservationist.
Since 1992, the Olson family has rewilded bison across two landscapes covering more than 102,000 acres, where the animals now coexist with wolves, bears, elk, moose and lynx. Their natural grazing, movement and browsing are restoring native grasslands, improving soil health, dispersing seeds and creating habitat for countless species while helping landscapes become more resilient to climate change. The project also works closely with First Nations communities, recognising the deep cultural connection between people and bison and demonstrating how long-term family stewardship can help restore entire ecosystems.
