246 Buffalo Returned to Native Homelands in 2024
This past weekend marked the final Buffalo release of our 2024 season, with three calves returning to their homeland on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Our preliminary count shows that 246 Buffalo were returned this fall. Final numbers will be announced in our 2024 Impact Report after the new year when all counts are confirmed.
A heartfelt thanks to The Nature Conservancy, the Minnesota Zoo, and private donors for their continued support in returning Buffalo to Native caretakers.
Tanka Fund’s mission is to return Buffalo to Native lands, lives, and economies. Through partnerships like these, we’re restoring a vital cultural and economic resource to communities across the country.
See Photos and Videos
Fencing Campaign Update!
Thanks to your generous contributions, our special fencing campaign has successfully raised enough funds to help Tanka rancher partner Chuck Jacobs complete his last 5.5 miles of Buffalo fencing.
This critical support allows Chuck to fulfill his dream of converting his ranch from cattle to Buffalo. Just this past weekend, Chuck and his team erected a portable corral and welcomed three Buffalo calves from Tanka Fund to his land on the Pine Ridge Reservation. With the fencing project nearing completion, Chuck will be ready to expand his herd in 2025!
Read More
2024 Grants: $95,500 Awarded in Final Round
Tanka Fund awarded $95,500 in its final round of 2024 funding to Buffalo rancher partners, bringing the year’s total to $208,500.
As part of our mission, Tanka Fund provides grants to support new Buffalo ranches and sustain existing operations. These funds are used for equipment, fencing, feed, soil testing, and other ranching essentials.
Through this program, we increase access to capital and animals for Native Buffalo caretakers, helping them establish and expand their operations.
Support the Return
Bringing the Buffalo Home: Land for the Buffalo
As 2024 draws to a close, we’ve released the fourth episode of our video series, Bringing the Buffalo Home. This episode highlights Tanka Fund’s efforts to finance land, infrastructure, and fencing for Native Buffalo ranchers, especially on leased or reservation lands.
Tanka Impact Podcast: Restoring the Herd
In this episode of Tanka Impact, we welcome Zintkala Eiring, an Oglala Lakota Winyan and Climate Smart Range Ecologist for Tanka Fund. Zintkala shares her journey and insights on Buffalo restoration, species conservation, and community health.
Available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
Watch Episode 3
Meet Us at the IAC Conference – Dec. 10-12
We’ll be at the 2024 IAC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV, from Dec. 10-12. Visit us at BOOTH 13 to learn more about Buffalo ranching, our Climate Smart program, and register for a chance to win a 2024 Tanka Fund blanket!
More Info
Roundtable Recap: Humane Field Harvesting
Tanka Fund Executive Director Dawn Sherman and Board Member Nick Hernandez recently participated in the Flower Hill Institute’s roundtable, “Lessons from the Field: Humane Field Harvesting and Processing for Meat and Poultry.”
Discussions included cultural practices, logistical considerations, and USDA requirements, emphasizing food sovereignty and local food system rebuilding.
Read More
Rancher Spotlight: Austin German
Austin German, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and owner of A.G. Livestock Co., recently received Buffalo from Tanka Fund in collaboration with the Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Funder Spotlight: Cielo Foundation
The Cielo Foundation supports our Returns Fund, helping Native Buffalo ranchers with infrastructure needs like fencing, feed, hay, and soil testing.
Cielo focuses on poverty alleviation, gender equality, and inspiring social entrepreneurship. Their support has been vital to our mission.
Learn More
#TankaFund #BuffaloConservation #SupportNativeRanchers #WildlifePreservation #ProtectTheBuffalo #SustainableRanching #NativeAmericanHeritage #EcoFriendlyFarming #BuffaloFencingProject #ConservationEfforts #WildlifeProtection #SupportIndigenousCommunities #BuffaloRestoration #WildlifeSupport #CulturalPreservation #IndigenousLandManagement #HelpSaveTheBuffalo #BuffaloHeritage #SustainableAgriculture #LandsLivesEconomies #Buffalo #Bison #TheReturn #NativeAmerican #ClimateRestoration #CommunityEmpowerment #EnvironmentalSustainability #BuffaloRanching #ClimateSmart
