The plains and wood bison are integral to the ecosystem of Elk Island National Park, and fencing creates management challenges as well as some conservation advantages. Prescribed burns are used to maintain and expand the grassland areas for the bison and other ungulates in the park. Management includes things like maintaining genetic diversity, herd size control, managing human interaction and GPS spatial monitoring. Elk Island gave 12 bison, a culturally significant animal, to the Woodlands Cree First Nations as well as to other indigenous communities. Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan has also brought bison back to roam the range where their grazing creates an ideal habitat for the black-tailed prairie dog.

Featuring: Mark Edwards, Gregory Wilson, Rob Found, Ryan Hayes and Lawrence Lamouche.