In a world facing accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, a truly inspiring solution is emerging from an unlikely source: the mighty bison. These iconic animals, once nearly driven to extinction, are making a triumphant return—not only across North America but now also in Europe and beyond. Their reintroduction is not simply about conserving a species; it is about rewilding landscapes, restoring cultural connections, and even mitigating climate change.
A Return to the Land
Between 2014 and 2023, efforts spearheaded by Rewilding Europe and WWF Romania have seen more than 99 European bison translocated to the Țarcu Mountains in Romania—a landscape where wild bison had vanished for over 250 years. Genetic studies from 2022 estimate the current population at around 180 individuals, now roaming an expanding territory of roughly 300 square kilometres. Yet, this is only one piece of a global mosaic.
Across the world, rewilding projects are working tirelessly to bring back these magnificent creatures, with initiatives stretching from North America to Asia and beyond. The reintroduction of bison in Manitoba’s First Nations, for example, has ignited a profound cultural revival. Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation recently welcomed 11 bison—including a sacred white female calf—returning to their ancestral lands after over a century of absence. As bison thundered through the snow during a jubilant ceremony, community members, many of them young students, were reminded of ancient traditions and the enduring strength of their heritage.
Doug Hanska, Jordan’s Principle land-based coordinator for Birdtail Sioux First Nation, shared his excitement:
“Today is a really historical event. We always wanted to bring some buffalo back… and eventually made it into reality.”
This simple act of reintroducing bison is transforming more than just the landscape—it is sparking hope, healing, and a renewed sense of identity.
Rewilding: A Global Climate Solution
While these success stories are unfolding in Manitoba and the Southern Carpathians, the rewilding movement is inherently global. Scientists are now discovering that bison are far more than a symbol of the wild—they are powerful allies in our fight against climate change. A recent study by Yale University revealed that the free-roaming European bison in the Southern Carpathians could draw down and store more than 54,000 tonnes of atmospheric carbon each year. That’s equivalent to the CO2 emissions produced by nearly 123,000 European cars.
Karl Wagner, Managing Director of the Global Rewilding Alliance, underscores this dual benefit:
“These first results show the huge potential of rewilding to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity decline at the same time. To fix our climate, we not only need to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as possible but scale up rewilding as quickly as possible too.”
By restoring native herbivores like bison to their natural ranges, we are reactivating a crucial part of the carbon cycle—one that helps sequester carbon in soils and vegetation. Their grazing, browsing, and even the simple act of moving through the landscape create disturbances that promote plant diversity and soil development. Over time, these interactions significantly boost the ecosystem’s capacity to capture and store carbon.
The Power of Indigenous Wisdom
Beyond their environmental impact, bison carry deep cultural significance. For many Indigenous communities, bison have long been a source of life, spirituality, and identity. In Birdtail Sioux First Nation, the reintroduction of bison is intertwined with cultural revival and healing. The animals are not merely reintroduced; they are embraced as living teachers.
Sioux Valley Chief Vince Tacan explained:
“The bison are not just animals; they are sacred. The return of the white buffalo is a symbol of the White Buffalo Calf Woman, a spirit that gave our people ceremonies and teachings. In our time of crisis—amid issues like the meth crisis and missing and murdered Indigenous women—our culture holds many of the solutions.”
This perspective illustrates how rewilding is more than conservation—it is a pathway to restoring balance between people and nature. As communities witness bison reestablish themselves on ancestral lands, they are reminded of the deep wisdom and practices of their ancestors, sparking a broader movement toward healing and resilience.
Ecosystem Engineers in Action
Bison are true ecosystem engineers. Their grazing not only helps control invasive plant species but also promotes the growth of nutrient-rich vegetation. As they traverse the landscape, bison create micro-habitats—through wallowing and natural soil compaction—that enhance water retention and boost biodiversity. Research conducted in the Țarcu Mountains demonstrated that areas with bison presence capture nearly ten times more carbon compared to landscapes without them.
Oswald J. Schmitz and his colleagues at Yale University, along with researchers from WWF-Romania and Humboldt University, used a cutting-edge computer model to assess these impacts. Their findings suggest that the presence of bison leads to a median uptake of 54,000 tonnes of additional carbon per year, even after accounting for methane emissions. This remarkable statistic provides a tangible measure of how rewilding can serve as a nature-based climate solution.
Rewilding as a Catalyst for Change
The benefits of rewilding extend far beyond ecological gains. They offer a blueprint for holistic restoration that integrates environmental, cultural, and economic well-being. When bison are reintroduced, they revitalize ecosystems, create opportunities for eco-tourism, and even contribute to food sovereignty. For many communities, the reintroduction of bison is a step toward regaining self-sufficiency—restoring traditional practices such as sustainable ranching and local food production.
Doug Hanska envisions a future where bison not only roam freely but also support community resilience:
“We’re going to take them back into a modernized world that we’re living in. They’re going to help us sustain our food sovereignty and food security within the community. Our ancestors always thought seven generations ahead, and we need to start doing that as well.”
Rewild the World
The inspiring stories from Manitoba, Romania, and beyond demonstrate that rewilding is not an isolated conservation effort—it is a global movement with the power to transform our planet. By restoring species like the bison to their natural habitats, we are reviving ecosystems, strengthening cultural ties, and creating a robust natural system capable of mitigating climate change.
Now is the time to support rewilding initiatives. Whether you’re an individual, a community leader, or a policy maker, you can be part of this transformative movement. Here’s how you can help:
Advocate for Rewilding Policies: Engage with local and national governments to support legislation and funding for rewilding projects.
Support Indigenous-Led Initiatives: Empower Indigenous communities by supporting programs that blend traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices.
Educate and Inspire: Share the stories of rewilding successes in your community and on social media to inspire others to take action.
Volunteer or Donate: Get involved with organizations like Rewilding Europe, WWF, or local rewilding groups that are actively working to restore wildlife and ecosystems.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Complement rewilding efforts by reducing your own environmental impact through sustainable living practices.
Global Impact and Our Shared Future
Rewilding is not just about saving a species—it’s about restoring our planet’s natural balance. As the climate continues to change and ecosystems face unprecedented pressures, the reintroduction of key species like bison offers a beacon of hope. By reawakening the landscapes with wild, free-roaming bison, we can restore ancient ecological processes that have been lost for generations.
Imagine a future where vast herds of bison roam across rewilded prairies from North America to Europe, where local communities are rejuvenated through their cultural and economic benefits, and where every step these animals take contributes to a healthier, more resilient planet. This is not a distant dream but an achievable reality—one that calls upon us to reimagine our relationship with nature.
Final Thoughts
The rewilding of bison is a powerful reminder of nature’s resilience and our capacity to heal the planet when we work together. It challenges us to think beyond short-term fixes and embrace long-term, systemic change. In a world where every ton of carbon captured matters and every cultural heritage preserved enriches our collective identity, rewilding stands as a testament to the transformative power of nature.
How can we each contribute to this global movement? Whether it’s through advocacy, community action, or simply spreading the word, every effort counts. Let the wild spirit of the bison inspire you to become a guardian of nature—a champion of a rewilded, resilient, and thriving planet.
Join the movement to rewild our world. Support local rewilding projects, advocate for policies that protect our natural heritage, and share this story to inspire change. Together, we can create a future where nature and humanity flourish side by side.
By embracing rewilding, we’re not only restoring ecosystems—we’re igniting a global movement for a healthier, more sustainable future.