Jason Baldes wins National Geographic Wayfinder Award for buffalo restoration

It was an ordinary Wednesday — May 3, 2017— when Jason Baldes glimpsed an extraordinary sight in the distance: the first buffalo born on the Wind River Reservation in more than 130 years. Last month, a little more than seven years later, Baldes was honored with the National Geographic Wayfinder Award for his tireless efforts to make that birth, and the scores that have followed, possible.

The National Geographic Wayfinder Award annually recognizes individuals who have made a large impact in their respective fields and communities. These individuals are often National Geographic explorers, scientists, conservationists, researchers, storytellers or educators. 

Baldes, the Executive Director of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, was nominated for his tireless efforts to restore buffalo to the Wind River Reservation, according to Alex Moen, National Geographic’s chief explorer engagement officer. 

“It was based on this extraordinary kind of vision and mission that he has,” Moen said. “From a leadership perspective, he seems to have demonstrated himself as a real bridge builder across different stakeholder groups.”

Baldes’ journey in buffalo restoration began after observing the famed wildebeest migration in Africa. He was moved by the realization that what he witnessed was only a fraction of what American buffalo migrations used to be. 

As a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, buffalo hold a special significance for Baldes. “It’s a very important animal to restore for its ecosystem contribution alone,” Baldes said. “But you add the relationship that the Native American people had with this animal, it gives credence to not only restoring this animal to tribal lands, but to other lands.” 

Baldes uses the word buffalo, as opposed to bison, since it is in many Eastern Shoshone family names. 

Baldes also emphasizes that buffalo restoration is not just a concern to Native Americans. Though people in Wyoming recognize the buffalo symbol on the Wyoming state flag, buffalo were intentionally eliminated from the landscape in the 19th century to control Native American tribes such as Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho. To Native Americans, the loss of their connection to the buffalo was significant, Baldes said. This places great importance on restoring them. 

“This is an American story, not just a Native American story; there were 30 to 60 million buffalo on this continent, and they were essentially eliminated in under 100 years,” Baldes said. “And so that’s a story that hasn’t really been told a whole lot that pertains to all Americans.” 

Buffalo are also important from an ecological perspective, not just a cultural one. They help store carbon, provide nesting materials for birds and create micro habitats with their wallowing behavior, Baldes explained. 

While he’s always eager to discuss the importance of Bison, Baldes seems less comfortable talking about his own work or accomplishments. Winning a National Geographic Wayfinder Award, however, is significant. 

“[There is] a certain very kind of dedicated focused approach reflective of what we sometimes call the explorer mindset,” Moen said. 

This mindset involves a sense of responsibility, leadership and a commitment to making the world a better place by engaging with communities and inspiring others. 

“With all that in mind, Jason, I think really is kind of the definition of a National Geographic Explorer,” Moen said. 

DISCLOSURE: Baldes’ spouse, Patti Baldes serves on WyoFile’s board of directors.