North American Projects
The International Crane Foundation's work in North America encompasses both cranes and the ecosystems they share with people. Our projects include divergent topics such as research on wild crane populations, developing captive breeding programs, reintroducing crane populations to the wild, and restoration of damaged ecosystems. Since most land is still privately owned worldwide, collaborations with landowners, government agencies, and conservationists is not only a key component of our North American Program but applies throughout the world
Only two species of crane are found in North America—the Sandhill Crane, the most abundant crane species in the world—and the Whooping Crane, the rarest of the 15 species of crane. Despite this contrast, ICF's goal for both species is the same: keeping a success story successful.
Though the number of wild Whooping Cranes continues to grow, reintroduction of Whooping Cranes to areas where they have been extirpated is an important strategy designed to reduce the risk of any one population to a catastrophic event. Captive breeding techniques pioneered with cranes at ICF are an integral component of current efforts to re-establish new populations in North America and elsewhere in the world. ICF's captive flock is carefully managed to maximize genetic diversity for those cranes being bred for release to the wild. ICF also cooperates in exchange programs with other breeding centers and zoos around the world to insure a "genetic bank" exists as a hedge against future decline in wild populations.
Our efforts to study and conserve wild Sandhill Crane populations are complimented by restoration of critical wetland and grassland ecosystems throughout the continent. Critical to the conservation of cranes and ecosystems is the formation of partnerships with private land owners and others that manage the resources on which cranes depend. A sustainable future for cranes, people, and a multitude of other species is promoted through projects that build the capacity for landowners to act upon their strong land ethic.
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| Reintroductions
The International Crane Foundation is currently involved in two ... Read more
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| Captive Breeding
The Crane Conservation Department at ICF utilizes advanced avicultural practices to produce and maintain captive bred cranes that are suitable for reintroduction, breeding, research, and education projects. For a more in-depth look at these techniques ... Read more
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| Ecosystem Research
The International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland, grassland, and other ecosystems on which they depend. The Ecosystem Restoration Program at ICF was initiated in 1979 to restore prairie, savanna, wetland, and ... Read more
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| Crane Research
ICF's field research projects not only work to understand and protect crane species and the ecosystems they use in North America, but also to inform research and conservation of other crane species around the world. ... Read more
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| ICF Collaboration
Most environmental problems are caused by people. As such, the solutions to these problems must arise from people as well. Though the proportion of public ownership varies greatly across the continent, most lands in North America are owned privately. ... Read more
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| For further information, contact:
ICF Field Ecology Department
Director of Field Ecology
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