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Guardians of the Buffalo

Coming Soon

The Essential Guide to Bison Care

“It is now time to come together as a collective and become guardians for Buffalo and their return.”

— Naatoyinshkii (Holy Singer) Katira Crow Shoe, Executive Director, International Buffalo Relations Institute

Author Credits

By Wes Olson & Cody Spencer

Photography by Johane Janelle
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About the Book

The foundational guide for the next generation of buffalo stewards

As long as there have been buffalo, there has been a relationship between buffalo and people. For Indigenous people, Buffalo are understood and respected as relatives.
As we work to bring buffalo back to the land, we are also called to rebuild that relationship — drawing from both ancient wisdom and modern understanding to help buffalo thrive in today’s world.
With more than fifty years of combined experience living with and caring for buffalo, Wes Olson and Cody Spencer bring unmatched depth of knowledge to every aspect of establishing and managing a herd. Paired with the breathtaking conservation photography of Johane Janelle, Guardians of the Buffalo is the essential reference for every caretaker, steward, and guardian of this keystone species.
There is no other book available to buffalo guardians, stewards, and caretakers with the extent of information contained in this volume.

Part 1 - Getting Started

  • A Buffalo Management Questionnaire
  • Why Raise Buffalo?
  • Population Establishment and Growth

Part 2 - Buffalo Health & Nutrition

  • The Buffalo Digestive System
  • Grasslands: Foundation for Forage and Nutrition
  • Buffalo and Water
  • Maintaining Healthy Buffalo

Part 3 - Infrastructure Requirements

  • Estimating the Carrying Capacity
  • Developing the Infrastructure
  • Buffalo Capture and Handling Facilities
  • Foundations of Buffalo Handling: Tips & Procedures

Part 4 - Safety Considerations

  • Safety for You & Your Buffalo
  • Biosecurity & Why It’s Important
  • Managing Buffalo Escapes
  • The Humane Euthanasia of Buffalo

Parts 5 & 6 - Land, Soils & More

  • Soil and Grassland Restoration
  • Regenerative Agriculture & Holistic Management
  • Guidelines for Conservation Herd Managers
  • The Role of Technology in Buffalo Caretaking

Foreword Pull Quote Band

“Buffalo are a keystone species to the wellness of the land and Indigenous people. For those out there who want Buffalo in their future, or those who already have Buffalo, Guardians of the Buffalo provides the opportunity for anyone who reads it to define their own relationship with Buffalo.”

— Naatoyinshkii (Holy Singer) Katira Crow Shoe, Executive Director, International Buffalo Relations Institute


Advance Praise

  • "Guardians of the Buffalo: The Essential Guide to Bison Care is not only a fantastic read with the beautiful photography the authors have become known for, but also a practical guide to modern-day bison stewardship. Reading this book cover to cover will provide a thorough education on this amazing species, while teaching practical bison management tools and tips that will apply to all of today's bison stewards, be it commercial, tribal, or conservation herds. Congratulations, and thank you to the authors for a needed addition to bison literature and education!"

    Jim Matheson — Executive Director, National Bison Association

  • "As Indigenous peoples renew our relationship with Buffalo, and step forward to take responsibility for Buffalo's well-being, expansion, and futurity, resources such as Guardians of the Buffalo: The Essential Guide to Bison Care are essential. Wes and Cody are generous with their time and knowledge in person, but this book follows a close second."

    Dr. Tasha Hubbard — Filmmaker, Writer & Associate Professor, University of Alberta

  • "The world needs more bison. To get there, we need more bison producers. Whether you're a new producer who cares about the impact your food has on the environment, you care about the quality of the protein you eat, you're a First Nation who is re-establishing a cultural connection and creating food security, or if you're an established farmer looking to make a change, this book will help you on your journey. Few people know the bison like Cody and Wes — this is a must read."

    Scott Yule — Executive Director, Canadian Bison Association

  • "Buffalo's historical grassland range has been profoundly altered, leaving only a smaller and fragmented patchwork of land that now requires more deliberate and informed stewardship. Guardians of the Buffalo serves as a go-to guide for caring for the health of herds and the lands that sustain them as Indigenous communities undertake the important work of welcoming Buffalo home. Drawing on a collective lifetime of experience with conservation and ranched herds, Wes Olson and Cody Spencer offer clear guidelines, practical advice, and detailed considerations for individuals and communities planning the rematriation of Buffalo, ensuring that the herds may thrive once again."

    Dr. Melissa Arcand — Associate Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan

  • "Guardians of the Buffalo, the latest work by Wes and Cody, offers readers an insightful look into the evolving landscape of bison management. By highlighting innovative techniques and contemporary tools, this book guides us through the latest advancements shaping how bison are cared for today. Their thorough exploration not only informs but also inspires those invested in the future of these iconic animals. They present a refreshing view of why bison are important to humans and why we should do our utmost to manage them with care and respect."

    Keith Aune — Bison Conservation Specialist

  • "Guardians of the Buffalo is a knowledge and experience-packed read. It is an important addition to the bison-management library and an invaluable tool for folks that desire to care for this amazing animal."

    Rhonda Frasier — All About Bison / Frasier Bison LLC

  • "Wes and Cody are true bison experts, and I couldn't be more excited for their new book, Guardians of the Buffalo. Wes and Cody have deep and extensive knowledge about all things bison, they have a great love for the species, and their book will be an invaluable resource for anyone interested in bison."

    Matt Skoglund — Founder & Owner, North Bridger Bison

Contributors

Wes Olson

Co-Author

Wes Olson has worked in wildlife and landscape conservation for five decades, including 24 years in bison conservation at Elk Island National Park. Since retiring from Parks Canada in 2012, he has worked alongside First Nations across western Canada to facilitate the rematriation of plains and wood bison onto their ancestral lands. That lifetime of experience is the foundation of Guardians of the Buffalo: The Essential Guide to Bison Care.

Cody Spencer

Co-Author

Cody Spencer is a buffalo rancher and regenerative land steward of Métis descent — a direct descendant of the buffalo hunting people of what is now Alberta and the Northwest Territories. He discovered bison as a young man after reading Wes and Johane's first book, and has spent the years since managing herds, restoring land, and supporting the return of buffalo to Indigenous communities across North America. That journey finds its fullest expression in Guardians of the Buffalo: The Essential Guide to Bison Care.

Johanne Janelle

Photography

Johane Janelle is a conservation photographer whose work has documented bison relocations in Banff, Alaska, and Russia, and the landscapes and cultures that depend on their return. She and Wes Olson have co-authored three books on bison and raised a plains herd together at their Broken Lantern Ranch. Her photography throughout Guardians of the Buffalo: The Essential Guide to Bison Care captures what words alone cannot.

Katira Crow Shoe

Forward

Naatoyinshkii (Holy Singer) - Katira Crow Shoe is a member of the Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy, raised on the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta with the Rocky Mountains at her front and the prairie at her back. She knows Buffalo are the missing piece — and as Executive Director of the International Buffalo Relations Institute, she has dedicated herself to bringing them home. Her foreword to Guardians of the Buffalo: The Essential Guide to Bison Care is a call to all of us.

About IBRI

Published by International Buffalo Relations Institute

The International Buffalo Relations Institute (IBRI) is an Indigenous-led non-profit established in 2021 to promote the Buffalo Treaty - a landmark multi-nation agreement to restore buffalo to their ancestral homelands across the Great Plains and into Canada.
IBRI’s mission is to provide knowledge, skills, and support to Indigenous communities reconnecting with the Buffalo. Its vision is to revitalize Buffalo Consciousness - the intentional inclusion of Buffalo in everyday thought, relationships, and community life.
Guardians of the Buffalo is published in the spirit of that mission: to ensure that every caretaker, steward, and guardian has the knowledge to help Buffalo live their best lives.

Wholesale & Contact Form

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Whether you operate a ranch supply store, a museum gift shop, a university bookstore, or a cultural center - this is a book your audience needs.

Guardians of the Buffalo is the definitive reference for anyone working with or caring for buffalo, and there is simply nothing else like it in the market.

Interested in stocking Guardians of the Buffalo?

• Wholesale pricing available for qualifying orders
• Bulk orders for conferences, events, and educational programs
• Consignment and institutional purchase options available
• Ideal for bison ranches, Indigenous organizations, conservation groups, universities, and agricultural retailers
• Personal service - your inquiry goes directly to the IBRI team

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Photo credits and storytelling art imagery by Johane Janelle and Kristian Bogner |
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