The Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration
A historic new alliance created to stabilize, establish, and expand Tribal-led buffalo restoration
Photo Credit: © Thomas Lee / WWF-US
In a historic public-private partnership, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is collaborating with the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to bring lasting structural change and national commitment to Tribal-led buffalo restoration, while leveraging historic federal investments and policy changes.
The Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration (TBLC), a new philanthropic and non-profit endeavor founded by ITBC, NAP, TNC, and WWF officially signed its charter in June 2024. This historic alliance was created to stabilize, establish, and expand Tribal-led buffalo (bison) restoration, while fostering cultural, spiritual, ecological, and economic revitalization within Native communities.
TBLC’s vision is to increase awareness, advocate for, and mobilize resources in support of Tribal-led buffalo programs within the United States. The Collaboration offers an unprecedented opportunity to support Tribal-led buffalo programs for generations to come. Collaborators respect the Indigenous values of buffalo restoration and support the establishment, stabilization, and expansion of each unique, sovereign Tribal buffalo program for cultural, spiritual, ecological, and economic revitalization.
Photo Credit: © Jason Whalen, Fauna Creative
Together, these four groups have committed to bring back buffalo to Tribal lands at an unprecedented scale.
InterTribal Buffalo Council
The InterTribal Buffalo Council is a collection of 80 tribes in 20 different states that facilitates the management of over 20,000 buffalo. Their members manage more than 32 million acres of Tribal lands, and have restored buffalo to nearly 1 million of those acres.
Native Americans in Philanthropy
Native Americans in Philanthropy promotes equitable and effective philanthropy in Native communities. With more than 30 years of experience, they work closely with their counterpart organizations advocating for Tribal communities.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental non-profit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.
World Wildlife Fund
For more than 60 years, World Wildlife Fund has worked to help people and nature thrive. As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in nearly 100 countries. At every level, they collaborate with people around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live.
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Photo Credit: © Clay Bolt / WWF-US