Cranes that were once common in Wisconsin, and others from as far away as Siberia and Bhutan, are part of the conservation and education efforts of the International Crane Foundation which has grown steadily, since coming to "roost" in the Dairy State in 1973. From its American base, the ICF works worldwide to conserve endangered cranes and the threatened ecosystems they depend on.
The ICF is located in commonplace, but picturesque surroundings. Rolling farmlands intermix with state parks and wildlife preserves. Small towns within an hour's drive of the state Capitol in Madison vie for tourist dollars generated by the mega-popular Wisconsin Dells - the Crane Foundation's most prominent neighbor. A stretch of Interstate 94 connecting the Twin Cities in Minnesota to Milwaukee and Chicago slices diagonally through the area just a few miles to the east.
Hometown for the ICF is Baraboo, which is perhaps best known as the historic home of the Ringling Brothers' Circus, and the contemporary home of Circus World Museum. Only 15 minutes to the east, is a legacy center established to honor one of America's premier conservationists, Aldo Leopold. It's obvious, that a visit to see the cranes can easily be included in a trip to numerous upper Midwest attractions.
But potential visitors should know that a trip to the Crane Foundation can stand on its own merits, as well. The rare birds to be seen and photographed, the knowledge to be gained regarding these exotic creatures, and trails to be hiked, are reason enough for a weekend trip. There would be time too, for a drive about an hour due north to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, the summer home of Wisconsin's small population of whooping cranes in the wild.
Meet the Cranes: Beautiful, but Endangered "Global Citizens"
The cranes are "truly global citizens," according to an introduction to the various crane species posted at the ICF website. Although a few species are restricted to smaller protected areas today (due to development and habitat loss), most cranes still migrate across deserts, mountains, even frozen tundra. They cross regional and national borders with the ease and frequency that we humans cross the streets in our neighborhoods.
The ICF describes them as "ambassadors for peace among diverse peoples," bringing people together, in cooperative efforts on behalf of the threatened birds. There are 15 species of cranes around the world, 10 of them facing obstacles that threaten their species' survival. ICF is home to approximately 100 cranes, including representatives of each of the 15 species.
The astonishing variety among the species, their considerable size and colorful beauty – these are the key attributes that grab the attention of an observer of the cranes in their outdoor enclosures at the Crane Foundation. As they forage in the grass for insects, pose on one long, delicate leg, spread their wings, vocalize and observe their observers, they inspire awe and respect for their kind.
Visiting the International Crane Foundation
As a visitor, you can explore the cranes in their ICF habitats on your own, or join a guided tour. Either way, you will follow the paved pathway through four crane species native to Africa, living among natural wetlands in the Foundation's newest exhibit area. Next, you will meet the cranes of 10 more species grouped in outdoor pods that encircle their indoor sheltered areas, and then follow the path to the whooping crane exhibit.
This last exhibit has a covered outdoor seating area where you will learn many details from your tour guide – or a brief film – about the challenged whooping crane and the fascinating work being done by the International Crane Foundation and a collaborative partnership to save this most endangered bird. A pair of whoopers makes their home on the pond in front of this viewing area, and forages in the grasslands beyond it.
Now that you've met the cranes, you will want to visit ICF's Donnelly Family Education Center, near the Visitors' Center, to learn more about the international efforts that ICF is pursuing for crane habitat preservation and restoration. About 25,000 visit ICF every year, including nearly 8,000 school children in the spring. The exhibit areas are open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from April 15 to October 31. During April, May, September, and October, the guided tours are given only on weekends, at 10 a.m., 1, and 3 p.m.
Some History About the Mission of ICF
George Archibald and Ron Sauey, the co-founders of the International Crane Foundation were graduate students at Cornell University, a renowned center for the study of birds, when they met in 1971. Each was doing pioneering research with international crane species, and they shared a goal to establish a new organization for the study and preservation of cranes.
When they began the ICF on a converted horse farm that had belonged to Sauey's family, they had little but a few horse stalls converted to crane pens and an incubator, according to the Timeline of ICF History and it's "Firsts". But they were soon successfully hatching rare cranes in captivity, and on their way to realizing their twin goals of studying cranes in captivity, and better safeguarding them in the wild. By the mid-1980s, the ICF was the only facility in the world to have examples of all 15 crane species. It was also pioneering work with "isolation rearing" efforts to release captive cranes back into the wild.
Sauey died suddenly in 1987, and was mourned throughout the bird conservation global community. In 2000, Archibald stepped down as President and CEO of the ICF, and today he continues to work around the world – from Cuba to China and points between – on numerous projects that advance the Foundation's mission.
The mission continues in Wisconsin through the work of a professional staff of 75, assisted by a corps of 45 volunteers. In addition to the public education mission, ICF headquarters includes an extensive off-exhibit crane breeding area and an additional facility for the isolation rearing of whooping crane chicks. The Ronald Sauey Memorial Library for Bird Conservation also assists the mission. It was opened in 1991, and is a global clearhinghouse for crane research.
Sources
- Archibald, George. Winter 1996-97. "The International Crane Foundation: A Story of Preservation and Restoration." Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. Volume 43. Issue 1. digital.library.wisc.edu
- International Crane Foundation website. "About ICF "
- Necedah National Wildlife Refuge website. Updated April 7, 2011. "Things To Do."
Kathlin F. Sickel - Reading and writing in print and online. So much to uncover and report. Join me; let's see what we can discover.
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