Hidden in plain sight,
Florida harbors a secret most Americans would never believe:
wild bison roaming a vanishing prairie ecosystem.
America's Forgotten Prairie follows the journey to document these unlikely survivors and
reveal one of conservation's most remarkable success stories
that almost no one knows exists.
The Mission
"America's Forgotten Prairie" is a cinematic short documentary that reveals one of Florida's best-kept secrets: a thriving wild bison herd living in one of the last remaining wet prairie ecosystems in North America.
Through immersive storytelling and patient wildlife observation, the film chronicles the remarkable fifty-year success of the 1975 bison reintroduction program at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park—proof that ambitious restoration efforts can succeed against all odds.
By showcasing this hidden landscape and its unlikely inhabitants, the documentary challenges assumptions about what Florida's wilderness looks like, demonstrates the power of ecosystem restoration, and inspires broader support for protecting the vanishing prairie habitats that once covered millions of acres across the Southeast.
Help Us Tell This Story
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the last wet prairies in North America. In 1975, ten bison were brought here as a reintroduction experiment. Could they survive Florida's heat, floods, and hurricanes? Fifty years later, they're thriving.
We're crowdfunding $3,500 to cover production costs: accommodation, travel, equipment rentals, permits, and field supplies. Every donation is tax-deductible now that we're a 501c3 nonprofit. And every tier comes with something special.
Donation Tiers
$25 Prairie Supporter - Your name in credits (Special Thanks)
$50 Field Companion - Signed photo print + name in credits + 4K film download
$100 Bison Advocate - Everything above + limited edition stickers + Associate Producer credit
$250 Executive Explorer - Everything in Bison Advocate + 16x20 signed print + Executive Producer credit
$500 Wilderness Guardian - Everything above + cinematic film stills + THREE photo prints + top-tier Executive Producer credit
Donate Today
Every contribution helps us document and protect the wild places that define our natural heritage. Your support turns stories into action and inspires the next generation of conservationists
