Hello, and welcome back to the Shadows Run Podcast!

Today's episode features Dennis Jørgensen. Dennis is the Bison Program Manager with the World Wildlife Fund here in Montana and has worked for them since 2007. In his current role, Dennis manages WWF's bison restoration program in the Great Plains to support Tribes in achieving their vision for the return of bison to their lands and lives while also contributing to the long-term health of the species.

We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Dennis is originally from Canada, and we talk a bit about his life before moving to the States. Dennis worked with rattlesnakes and mountain lions before shifting his focus to bison restoration, and he tells a couple of wild stories about his experiences with those animals!

We go on to talk in depth about bison restoration. Dennis covers the history of near extermination of bison in the Americas in the late 1880s through to the present day, when efforts at bison restoration are going stronger than ever. Dennis and the World Wildlife Fund partner with a number of tribes and tribal organizations in the Great Plains region, and we talk a lot in this conversation about the significance of bringing bison back to their ancestral homelands. This work encompasses more than just biology and ecosystem health; bison restoration is integral to revitalization of culture, traditional food ways, and connection to place.

It was an honor to share in this conversation with Dennis, and I hope you enjoy!

World Wildlife Fund Bison Program: https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/wildlife/bringing-bison-home/

Blackfeet Nation - Iinii Initiative: https://blackfeetnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Iinnii_CaseStatement_single-page.pdf

Native Americans In Philanthropy: https://nativephilanthropy.org/

Intertribal Buffalo Council: https://www.itbcbuffalonation.org/

Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/animals-we-protect/american-bison/

Montana Free Press - Fort Peck Bison Program: https://montanafreepress.org/2026/03/09/how-the-fort-peck-tribes-build-a-bison-blueprint/

***Podcast Patreon Page!***: https://patreon.com/shadowsrun?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

I love to hear from you! Get in touch with me via:

• Email: shadowsrunpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadowsrunpodcast/

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/shadowsrunpodcast.bsky.social