When the new Spirit of Africa Exhibit opens in June at the International Crane Foundation (ICF), Baraboo, visitors will be able to view sustainable energy practices while enjoying the amazing African crane species. The new displays will feature porous pavement made of recycled glass, photovoltaic collector systems to generate enough electricity to power the entire exhibit with energy to spare, and a solar water heating system to provide winter heating for the crane holding building. Look for prairie grasses in the landscaping to reduce the need for watering and fertilization, reports Marty Sell, AIA, president of MSA-Integrated Project Delivery (MSA-IPD), Project Leader.

“All of the walking paths and observation areas in the new Africa displays are being paved with the recycled glass product,” he said. The recycled glass goes through a special process to round out the edges and transform it into a glass aggregate that is harder than stone aggregate, but not brittle. It is porous so rainwater soaks into the ground minimizing runoff and/or erosion. Therefore, no stormwater infrastructure, such as pipes or a detention pond, is required.

Congresswoman Tammy
Baldwin 

Wisconsin’s Second District

April 22, 2009

Contact: Jerilyn Goodman: 608-251-8737. Cell: 608-347-6557. Email: This E-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Baldwin Bill to Protect Cranes Passes in House

On the eve of Earth Day, the House yesterday passed the Crane Conservation Act of 2009, authored by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.  The bipartisan, bicameral legislation will help protect and preserve the world’s most endangered family of birds.

The Crane Conservation Act establishes a grant program to fund international and domestic crane conservation projects and encourages the Department of Interior to seek input from individuals and organizations actively involved in crane conservation, such as the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI. 

“The work done at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo has had an impact world-wide in preserving and protecting this magnificent animal species,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “With federal support, we can expand that influence to inspire and instruct a new generation of conservationists at home and abroad.  This is the ‘Wisconsin Idea’ in action.  I’m proud to author this important legislation and delighted to see swift passage this session of Congress.  I hope the Senate takes the bill up quickly,” Baldwin said.

Contact:  Ken Ballinger
(302) 504-7420
This E-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ARKION LIFE SCIENCES RECEIVES US EPA APPROVAL TO MARKET AVIPEL^® CORN SEED TREATMENT IN MINNESOTA FOR THE 2009 PLANTING SEASON

NEW CASTLE, DE – Dec. 15, 2008 -- Arkion Life Sciences LLC has been notified that the Section 18 Application filed by the State of Minnesota has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency effective December 5, 2008 through July 30, 2009.  Arkion^®’s proprietary bird repellent Avipel^®, formerly known as Avitec, will protect field corn and sweet corn seed against foraging cranes.

According to Ken Ballinger, Arkion Life Sciences has been a pioneer in the development and commercialization of several formulations of bird repellent and bird management technologies.  Arkion^®’s patented formulations of anthraquinone have been effectively repelling geese with FlightControl^® Plus and repelling birds from structures through the Airepel Humane Bird Management business.

This is the fourth year Minnesota has been approved for this Section 18 and allows Minnesota farmers to treat up to 625,000 acres of corn seed during the season.  Avipel^® Corn Seed Treatment is non-lethal to birds but highly effective in repelling them.  Various organizations have cooperated with Arkion^®’s  development of bird repellents including the International Crane Foundation (ICF), the United States Humane Society and the Audubon Society.  ICF spearheaded the cause to find a solution to the growing conflict between farmers and the cranes eating their planted seed. “We have been working since 2000 to find a way to make sure that a growing crane population does not cause problems for farmer’s crops.  Avipel^® is the solution” said Jeb Barzen, ICF spokesperson in Baraboo, WI.

Arkion^® has three major businesses – Biotechnical Resources (Manitowoc, WI) develops and improves processes and products based on fermentation technology for contract customers as well as internal needs; Hyperimmune eggs with markets in human and animal nutrition; and, Bird Repellent applications for crop, structure and turf protection.

The team created the release program 15 years ago in an effort to establish a self-sustaining, non-migratory whooping crane population in Florida. Naturally-occurring whooping crane populations in the southeastern United States disappeared by the 1930s.

Scientists decided to stop releasing cranes into the non-migratory flock for a variety of reasons, including problems with survival and reproduction, both of which have been complicated by drought. Additional considerations included shorter-than-expected life spans, scarcity of birds for release, project costs and the loss of habitat from development. The team felt that project resources and birds produced in captivity could be better used for other whooping crane releases as well as to maintain the captive flock.

“It was a tough decision,” said FWC biologist Marty Folk. “Many people were involved, but most agreed that this was the right decision and the right time to make it.”

From 1993 to 2004, biologists released 289 captive-raised, non-migratory whooping cranes into Osceola, Lake and Polk counties in Central Florida. The last releases took place in winter of 2004-2005. FWC biologists will continue to study the remaining 31 birds.

The FWC was the lead agency in Florida in the cooperative effort to establish a non-migratory flock. Major partners included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, the Canadian Wildlife Service and the International Crane Foundation.

As a member of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, the FWC continues its involvement with a separate project to reintroduce migratory whooping cranes in the eastern United States. This flock migrates from Wisconsin to Florida each year. In the coming year, biologists will release 20 additional whooping cranes into the current flock of 68 birds.

October 8, 2008

Baraboo, WI: The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is now building new, more natural exhibits to display its four species of African cranes at its headquarters near Baraboo, WI.  The exhibits will emphasize the cranes’ stories—their cultural and ecological significance, efforts that successfully benefit cranes, and opportunities for their protection. These exhibits, expected to open in June 2009, were made possible by a gift of nearly $3 million from the Dohmen Family Foundation of Milwaukee.

Martin Sell, AIA, president of MSA-Integrated Project Delivery (MSA-IPD), is the project leader.  The project calls for total renovation of a 5-acre site that includes creation of 4 new wetland areas.  Five different buildings, including a crane holding building, an amphitheater, and 3 shade structures, also will be constructed. To view construction updates of the African exhibit projects, visit the web site of MSA Professional Services at www.msa-ps.com.

Orgininally published: March 22, 2008

Are you passionate about nature and the environment?  Volunteer with the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and make a significant contribution to crane and wetland conservation!

ICF is looking for enthusiastic people to assist with a wide variety of activities at our headquarters in Baraboo, WI. Volunteers are needed as naturalist tour guides and to assist with grounds keeping, data entry, exotic plant eradication, seed collecting, photography, prairie plant monitoring, adult crane care, and special events.

Originally published: March 31, 2008

A Section 18 label has been re-issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use of the nonlethal bird repellent Avitec^TM for a third year in Wisconsin. Avitec^TM is labeled for Sandhill Cranes on field and sweet corn. This spring planting season 2008, Avitec^TM can be used as a corn seed treatment throughout Wisconsin in areas where Sandhill Cranes have been damaging corn fields by eating corn seeds shortly after planting. The Section 18 has been approved for Texas and Minnesota as well, and Michigan has an application pending. Farmers in those states should contact their Extension service or Department of Agriculture for more information. 

October 22, 2007

ICF to Build New Crane Exhibits and Expand Conservation Programs in Africa for Cranes and Wetlands

The Dohmen Family Foundation of Milwaukee, led by Bob Dohmen, Chairman of The F. Dohmen Company, recently committed $1.5 million to the International Crane Foundation (ICF) to promote and protect the cranes unique to Africa. The gift will help build new exhibits for the four species of African cranes on display at ICF’s world headquarters near Baraboo, Wisconsin, and will help ICF expand conservation programs in Africa to protect wild cranes and their natural habitats.

The Dohmen Family Foundation, established through the estate of fourth-generation Milwaukee businessman, Fred Dohmen, made the gift in memory of the family’s late patriarch. Bob Dohmen, Fred’s son and ICF Director, shared that “the gift was very meaningful to the family—it was made to honor a wonderful man who was passionate about adventure, Africa, cranes and conservation.” Inspired by explorers Martin and Osa Johnson, the Dohmen Family visited Africa in the early 1970s where they were forever changed by the continent’s rich natural beauty and diversity.