The World's Largest Native-Owned and Managed Buffalo Herd

Wolakota: A Regenerative Buffalo Range and	 Wildlife Sanctuary
Wolakota: A Regenerative Buffalo Range and	 Wildlife Sanctuary
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Our Team

The Wolakota Buffalo Range is a project of the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) -- the economic development arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Wolakota benefits from the extensive experience of REDCO's executive leadership team, who provide ongoing support for the project.

Clay Colombe, CFO

Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager

Clay Colombe, CFO

Clay is an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate with considerable financial experience. Clay provides the vision and high level guidance for the project.

Mindi Vavra, COO

Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager

Clay Colombe, CFO

Mindi has nearly 20 years of management experience and ensures that the operational and financial plans are in place to maximize Wolakota's impact.

Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager

Jimmy Doyle, Range Manager

TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager

Jimmy is responsible for managing and monitoring the health of Wolakota's herd and natural resources. Jimmy also serves as the lead for ongoing ecological monitoring and research efforts.

TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager

TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager

TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager

TJ is an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and was born and raised on a ranch on the Rosebud Reservation. TJ leads the day-to-day operations of the ranch and lives on site.

Aaron Epps, Project Manager

TJ Heinert, Assistant Manager

Aaron Epps, Project Manager

Aaron bring a broad skill set to the team and handles back office tasks for Wolakota, including business planning, partnerships, fundraising, and marketing. 

The Wolakota Buffalo Range is historic and unique.

Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy

Our venture is grounded in Lakota values and thought, which means we take a holistic view of our operations. We are not focused solely on profit, but instead will implement a regenerative management plan that is infused with Lakota wisdom.

Our Values

Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy

A core belief of the Lakota is that we are all related. This tenant extends to animal species, which is why we are deeply committed to low-stress, humane handling techniques. Our animals will be 100% grass-fed and we will only partner with organizations who make the same commitment.

Our Herd

Our Philosophy

Our History

Once fully stocked, our herd will be the largest Native-owned and managed herd in the world. Additionally, thanks to our strategic partnerships, we will also have one of the most genetically diverse herds in the world!

Our History

Our Potential

Our History

Nowhere is the historical bond between Native Americans and buffalo more evident than with the Lakota. It is impossible to understate the value the animal has to our people and the impact that was felt when it was taken away.

Our Potential

Our Potential

Our Potential

Our current business model relies on selling surplus animals, but we are conducting a feasibility study for a meat processing plant as a way to amplify our impact and provide a life-changing source of food to our community..

Our Costs

Our Potential

Our Potential

In May 2020, the US Department of the Interior announced Wolakota as a prioritized recipient of surplus bison, meaning we will not have to purchase any animals for our herd.

Our Partners

Our Partners

Our Partners

We continue to work side by side with World Wildlife Fund in pursuit of our vision. We have  also received guidance from industry leaders and innovators such as Turner Ranches, 777 Bison Ranch, and Wild Idea Buffalo Co.

Our Vision

Our Partners

Our Partners

As Lakota we are taught to consider the next Seven Generations when making decisions. This project is a perfect example of an initiative that emphasizes sustainability and builds long-term capacity in our community.

Our Land

Our Partners

Our Land

Our 28,000 acre property is the exact mixed grass habitat upon which buffalo thrived for millennia. We have a huge opportunity to enact ecological regeneration on a landscape scale.

Here's how we're making it happen

Mission

  • As Lakota we believe we are all related and it is our duty to create a better world for future generations. 
    • At REDCO we do this by developing amazing leaders who run great organizations.
      • The core business of the Wolakota Regenerative Buffalo Range is to raise and harvest buffalo using culturally appropriate, humane, and ecologically regenerative practices while restoring our relationship to the land and promoting economic, food, and tribal sovereignty.

Solution

We have a 15-year lease for a 28,000-acre property of grasslands belonging to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. We are transforming the property into a buffalo range capable of sustaining a herd of over 1,200 animals. 

Our lease went into effect in March of 2020, and shortly thereafter we completed our first phase of perimeter fencing to enclose roughly 8,500 acres. We welcomed our first buffalo in Fall 2020 and currently have 750 bison. 

Wolakota will achieve financially self-sufficiency by selling surplus bison to value aligned producers and processors. Wolakota also creates the opportunity for potential add-on development such as a processing plant, premium buffalo products, and cultural and eco-tourism. 

Company and Team

Rosebud Farm Company (RFC), an agricultural business subsidiary of REDCO, will manage the Wolakota Regenerative Buffalo Range. REDCO's executive team will remain involved in strategic decision making for the duration of the project. Additionally, our technical assistance partners will continue to share valuable industry knowledge and connect us with their established networks.

Business Plan

We have a comprehensive 15-year business plan that has been reviewed and validated by several industry partners and is constantly being updated and expanded to reflect our progress and new opportunities.

WOLAKOTA BUFFALO RANGE 


Rosebud Economic Development Corporation

PO Box 236

Mission, SD 57555

(715) 896-1051


Cover Photo by Zachary Straw (Straw Photography)

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