UW Zoology Student Helps Document Bison Conservation on the Wind River Indian Reservation

UW Zoology Student Helps Document Bison Conservation on the Wind River Indian Reservation

Bison sustained Indigenous communities for generations by shaping their traditions and spirituality, as well as providing food, clothing, and shelter. After more than 130 years of near extinction, they are being brought back to tribal lands on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

UW student Elsa Freise, a zoology major who minored in journalism, spent last summer working alongside the crew of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative and documenting its efforts in conservation.

Freise, who is from Buffalo, Wyoming, was a recipient of the 2024 Larsh Bristol Photojournalism Fellowship. The annual fellowship, hosted by the Department of Communication and Journalism and named for UW alum Larsh Bristol, supports strong visual storytelling projects led by UW students.

Friese’s journey began in a UW photojournalism class, where she discovered a passion for visual storytelling and an opportunity to connect with people she might have never met otherwise.

“Photojournalism gives you a way to step into someone else’s life, gain new perspectives, and understand the world in deeper ways,” Freise says. “It has the power to make us pause, photograph what often gets overlooked, and connect.”

Freise wanted to tell a story that would be historically significant to Wyoming and focused on its people.

“As a zoology major, I have always been intrigued by our state’s mammal, the bison,” she says. “Additionally, Indigenous and marginalized communities are often disproportionately affected by climate change, yet their leadership in conservation is crucial for equitable policies.”

Freise was determined to be more than a passive observer—she wanted to fully engage with the community. She reached out to Jason Baldes, executive officer and board president of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, and traveled to the Wind River Indian Reservation, where she helped by tearing down fences and preparing meals.

“This summer was a dream come true,” Freise says. “I’ve always wanted to travel nomadically, and this experience allowed me to do that while working on something meaningful.”

Freise hopes her project will shed light on the history of Wyoming and the negative effects of bison extirpation, which reshaped the Great Plains and disrupted both ecosystems and the lives of Indigenous communities.

“There also are many misconceptions about the Wind River Indian Reservation,” she says. “Through this project, I wanted to highlight the good work happening there—the strength, resilience, and dedication to conservation and cultural revitalization.”

The  Larsh Bristol Photojournalism Fellowship gave Freise an opportunity to travel, meet new people, and contribute to Wyoming conservation. Most important, it helped her recognize her inner strength and what she’s capable of.

“When I told people I was going to the Wind River Reservation alone, I was met with fear and doubt,” she says. “Solo travel can be intimidating, especially as a woman. But I learned that we often build things up in our heads to be much scarier than they actually are. Post-graduation, I know I am capable of going anywhere in the world and finding people to connect with because of what I accomplished this past summer.”

For more information about the Larsh Bristol Photojournalism Fellowship, email Shane Epping, UW Department of Communication and Journalism assistant professor, at sepping@uwyo.edu.