Buffalo Commons Collection, 1986-2005
Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Buffalo Commons Collection consists of articles published by Frank and Deborah Popper expounding the Buffalo Commons theory. The collection also includes various newspaper and magazine articles debating the theory. The articles display a range of reactions from strong support for the idea to negative sentiments from people living within the “commons” area.
Collection Historical Note
The Buffalo Commons is a conceptual proposal to create a vast nature preserve by returning 139,000 square miles of the drier portion of the Great Plains to native prairie, and by reintroducing the buffalo that once grazed that prairie. The area covered by the commons includes portions of Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. The Buffalo Commons theory was first proposed by Dr. Frank and Deborah Popper in 1987. At that time, Frank Popper was a Professor of Urban Studies at Rutgers University, while Deborah Popper was a graduate student of geography at Rutgers. Since its inception, the theory has met with controversy and resistance from people within the “commons” area.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions:
Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source:
Sandy Slater, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Acquisition Method:
Donation; 2008-2933
Preferred Citation:
(Description of Item). Buffalo Commons Collection. OGLMC 1533. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History:
Finding aid input to Archon in September 2015.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[
Box 1],
[All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Popper’s Buffalo Commons theory and reactions to this theory, 1986-2005
- Folder 2: Articles relating more generally to the Buffalo Commons theory, 1989-2004
