“Rewild the Range: Restoring Fire-Resilient Grasslands”

🎯 Program Overview

Rewild the Range is a place-based education and action program that helps residents, communities, and land stewards understand the historical role of Bison in fire-resilient grasslands. It also gives them the tools to restore native plant systems, replace fire-prone grasses, and advocate for sustainable grazing and land use policy.

🧩 Program Components

1. 🦬 “From Bison to Blazes” Education Campaign

• Interactive workshops, school modules, and community talks on: 
• The Ecological Role of Bison 
• Cattle vs. bison grazing impacts 
• How native grasslands help prevent wildfires 
• Includes traveling display banners or pop-up exhibits at libraries,      rec centers, and events 
• Develop an educator packet with videos, seed samples, and reading guides. 

2. 🌱 Native Grassland Demonstration Plots

• Partner with local parks, schools, and land trusts to plant public demonstration plots featuring: 
• Fire-resilient native grasses (from WRN) 
• Interpretive signs showing cattle vs. bison effects 
• QR codes linking to donation + planting kits 

3. 📦 “Rewild Your Yard” Seed Starter Kits

• A spinoff of “Seed the Change,” these kits include: 
• Native bunchgrass mixes that mimic bison-era landscapes. 
• Planting guide + history of grassland ecology 
• Messaging focused on reducing wildfire risk and restoring biodiversity. 

4. 🔥 Fire & Grazing Policy Advocacy Toolkit

• Create a downloadable resource that empowers people to: 
• Advocate for bison restoration where appropriate. 
• Promote rotational grazing and native pasture restoration. 
• Influence local fire mitigation and WUI development policy. 

💡 Why It Works

This program: ✔️ Educates the public about the deep-rooted history of grasslands ✔️ Engages community members in hands-on restoration ✔️ Strengthens WRN’s mission through product tie-ins ✔️ Offers funding appeals to climate, conservation, Indigenous rights, and wildfire prevention grantmakers ✔️ Builds partnerships with schools, tribes, park districts, and fire councils

🏆 Suggested Goals for Year 1

• 5 demonstration plots planted in high-fire-risk areas
• 20+ workshops and outreach events 
• 1,500 residents reached through education and kits 
• There is a measurable increase in public awareness about Bison’s ecological role and native plant fire benefits (via surveys) 

✅ Optional Add-ons

• Partner with a tribal land manager for traditional ecological knowledge inclusion
• Add a youth art contest with themes like “Bring Back the Bison.” 
• Host a seasonal “Rewild the Range” Day of Action with planting events + speakers.