China Program

Eurasia > China Program

For 30 years ICF has worked with colleagues in China to conserve cranes and the wetland and grassland communities on which they depend, while enabling local human populations who share these resources to thrive. By addressing the needs of human and wildlife populations through capacity building, environmental education, research and rural development, we believe that the cranes, a symbol of long life and happiness in Chinese culture, will continue as a prominent feature of the landscape.

ICF's China Program is site-based, with projects focusing on important crane areas in the northeast, east and southwest regions of the country. To learn more about our projects, click on the links below.

The ICF China Program is administered through the Foundation's headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA. For additional information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , ICF's China Program Coordinator.

What's New
Visit the ICF China Program blog for news and updates on our program activities. Read more

History and Background
In November 1979, ICF Co-founder Dr. George Archibald traveled to China for the first time to meet with prominent Chinese ornithologists and discuss developing a collaborative crane conservation program. Today the ICF China Program is an important component of the Foundation's international programs that span five continents and over 20 countries. Read more

Capacity Building
ICF supports the work of the Crane and Waterbirds Specialist Group of the China Ornithological Society to promote research and the development of professional networks focusing on crane and wetland conservation in China. Read more

Education
ICF's education projects in China provide information, instruction and inspiration to engage people in the conservation of cranes and the ecosystems on which they depend. Our projects range from the development of school curricula and environmental camps to training programs for teachers and nature reserve staff. Read more

Research
ICF's research projects in China seek to safeguard the region's eight species of crane through the coordination of population and ecology studies that inform conservation projects and the restoration and management of ecosystems that serve as crane habitat. Read more

Rural Development
ICF's rural development projects in China strive to implement conservation programs that address the needs of both human and wildlife populations. Read more

Resources and Links
View a listing of publications related to crane conservation in China, past projects coordinated by ICF, and major program sponsors. Read more