The modern agricultural practice of monoculture which creates habitat loss, and an overuse of pesticides and other synthetic chemicals is connected to staggering losses of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. What if a major solution for bee loss is a bison burger? Holistically managed bison herds are currently being utilized to mimic the historical ecological impact these animals had on the pre-colonial Great Plains. We theorize the trophic rewilding of the landscape at the 28,000-acre 777 Bison Ranch – which is grazed by a herd of over 2,400 American bison (Bison bison) and 1,124 honey bee colonies – has restored nutrient dense habitat for bees. To understand the potentially synergistic or mutualistic interactions between honey bees, native bees, and bison we have installed multi-year vegetation and pollinator monitoring areas at the ranch. These efforts will examine bee nesting frequency, bee habitat, bee communities, and flower pollen availability and nutritional content. Findings from our project could positively influence future conservation, policy, and land management decisions for both bees and bison.
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