Connecting the Dots with Jason Baldes

In the latest episode of our interview series, we speak with Jason Baldes, whose work focuses on restoring bison to tribal lands in the United States.

On April 28, 2016 Congress passed the National Bison Legacy Act, which would lead to bison being named the US National Mammal. The Act recognizes the historical, cultural, and economic importance of bison, and how this species stands as a symbol of unity, resilience and healthy landscapes and communities. The bison is a prime example of the importance of promoting a balanced relationship between Humankind and Nature, which is one of our pillars at Azimuth World Foundation.

The near extinction of the bison in the 19th century is essential to understanding the history of the United States. In the intersection of the devastating past of the bison, and the hopeful future we can now envision for the species, lie the present efforts to conserve the bison and restore it to tribal lands. And so we couldn't be happier to have Jason Baldes as our guest in this episode of "Connecting the Dots", our interview series.

As the Tribal Buffalo Program Manager at the National Wildlife Federation and a Board member of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, Jason has been dedicated to the conservation, restoration and cultural revitalization of the bison. He's a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, where many wild bison now roam as a result of the initiatives he has led. Having Jason with us is a unique opportunity to truly grasp the cultural and scientific significance of sharing the world with the bison.