Karsten Heuer was a conservationist, biologist, author, and filmmaker. An early advocate of large landscape conservation, Heuer worked in the field for decades, including in Inuvik in Canada's far north, in the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, and in Banff National Park in the Rockies, where he led the successful bison reintroduction project. Heuer is the author of Walking the Big Wild and Being Caribou, and a recipient of the Wilburforce Foundation Conservation Leadership Award. He passed away in November 2024, shortly after completing the manuscript for Buffalo Lessons.

Leroy Little Bear is a Blackfoot leader, scholar, and advocate. He is a coauthor of the Buffalo Treaty, a recipient of the Alberta Order of Excellence, and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Harvey Locke is a globally renowned expert on national parks and large landscape conservation. He lives in Banff National Park.