BUFFALO   BEYOND   BORDERS

Est. 2019

Guided by the Buffalo

Led by the Land

QUICK LINKS

We are a community of professionals committed to the biocultural restoration of buffalo across Turtle Island (North America). Through narrative, policy, and science, we work to reconnect landscapes, communities, and cultures, ensuring that buffalo thrive as free-roaming herds and fulfill their ecological and cultural roles. Our vision is one of resilience, where buffalo recovery strengthens both natural ecosystems and human relationships.

We are guided by the Buffalo Way - relationship, respect, reciprocity, renewal, and reconciliation. Our approach integrates braided science, embraces inclusivity, and upholds integrity. We strive for bold, systemic change, recognizing that buffalo restoration is not only about ecological recovery but also about healing historical injustices and fostering a shared future of abundance and connection.

Who We Are

OUR TEAM

  • CHARLIE CARPENTER

    CO - DIRECTOR

    NEWSPAPER EDITOR

    STEERING COMMITTEE

    SCIENCE COMMITTEE LEAD

  • CRISTINA MORMORUNNI

    CO - DIRECTOR

    STEERING COMMITTEE

    POLICY COMMITTEE LEAD

  • KELSEY PAZERA

    EVENTS MANAGER

  • ED SPEVAK

    STEERING COMMITTEE

    SCIENCE COMMITTEE LEAD

  • MIKIYA REUTHER

    STEERING COMMITTEE

    SCIENCE COMMITTEE LEAD

  • MOLLYE NARDI

    STEERING COMMITTEE

    SCIENCE COMMITTEE LEAD

  • KATE BURGESS

    STEERING COMMITTEE

    POLICY COMMITTEE LEAD

  • NICK GEVOCK

    STEERING COMMITTEE

    POLICY COMMITTEE LEAD

  • ADELA KINCAID

    NARRATIVE COMMITTEE LEAD

  • CRAIG GINN

    NARRATIVE COMMITTEE LEAD

  • JOSE GOMEZ

    NARRATIVE COMMITTEE LEAD

  • BRAD ROMANIUK

    STEERING COMMITTEE

  • Catherine Krus

    STEERING COMMITTEE

  • DAWN THOMAS

    STEERING COMMITTEE

  • Jim Matheson

    STEERING COMMITTEE

  • KELSEY MARTIN

    STEERING COMMITTEE

What we do

We drive the restoration of buffalo across North America by launching and supporting projects that advance their reintroduction. Through habitat restoration, Indigenous-led stewardship, and science-based management, we create opportunities for buffalo to return as free-roaming herds. Our work strengthens policies, builds partnerships, and fosters public engagement to ensure long-term success.

By restoring buffalo to the land, we reconnect people, cultures, and ecosystems, working toward a future where buffalo thrive once again

Committees

Buffalo Beyond Borders understands that restoring buffalo is more than just returning them to the land - it requires a shift in science, policy, and storytelling. To ensure a comprehensive and effective approach, we organize our work into three committees:

Science

The Science Committee uses Braided Science to promote ecological restoration, define buffalo health, enhance herd management, advance data sovereignty, and integrate cultural knowledge with land stewardship.

Policy

The Policy Committee works to identify policy options that promote Tribal sovereignty, support healing and reconciliation, and reconnect landscapes, communities, and cultures.

Narrative

The Narrative Committee works to shift public perception, challenge colonial narratives, and build support for buffalo restoration and Indigenous - led restoration and sovereignty.

Each committee strengthens the others - science provides the data needed for policy change, policy removes barriers to restoration, and narrative shifts public understanding to support both. By working at the intersection of these three areas, we create a holistic and enduring foundation for buffalo restoration - one that is rooted in Indigenous leadership, sovereignty, and the inseparable connection between land, people, and buffalo.

What we’re working on….                                   

Upcoming events

  • Braided Science Webinar

    March 26th, 11-1 PM (Mountain Time)

    Webinar led by Charlie Carpenter (INDIGENOUSLED)

  • North American Bison Summit In-Person Meetings

    Buffalo Beyond Borders Dinner, March 31st, 5-8 PM

    Narrative Committee Meeting, April 1st, 12-1:30 PM

    Science Committee Meeting, April 2nd, 12-1:30 PM

    Policy Committee Meeting, April 3rd, 12-1:30 PM

    RSVP

  • Genetics Webinar

    April 16th, 11-1 PM (Mountain Time)

    Webinar led by Jonas Oppenheimer (Colossal Biosciences)

  • Science Committee Meeting

    May 7th, 3-4 PM (Mountain Time)

    Teams

  • Treaty Rights and Sovereignty Webinar

    May 7th, 11-1 PM (Mountain Time)

  • Rights of Nature and Personhood Webinar

    May 28th, 11-1 PM (Mountain Time)

announcements

Join us!

Do you want to be part of our herd?! Join our Teams community and find your place among your fellow buffalo!

*Teams does not allow work/school accounts to join a community, please use your personal account.

Contact us.

Charlie Carpenter, Braided Science Program Manager

charlie@indigenousled.org