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 Our Living Legacy
Dear Friends,
For many decades, spring came to the upper Midwest but the great white birds did not appear. Yet our generation has seen such change for the better. White Pelicans returned to Wisconsin on their own, after decades of protection in the states to the west. The states of Minnesota and Wisconsin brought back the Trumpeter Swan through successful reintroduction programs.
For years now, we – so many individuals and organizations who love cranes – have given our time, money or love for the greatest challenge, restoring the Whooping Crane. Nowhere in the world has a new, self-sustaining crane population been established. We are getting close. This spring, over a hundred Whooping Cranes migrated north to the Midwest, as their ancestors did for eons. Most of our white cranes flew straight to the vast wetlands of Necedah and central Wisconsin. As I write, four chicks have hatched in the wild, representing hope for the population.
We have had setbacks. ICF and our partners are continuing an intensive research effort to better understand the problem of egg abandonment in late April (learn more about the research we are undertaking this spring, and the numerous milestones the reintroduction has already achieved). I have spent a lifetime with these birds. You shared my sorrow when five Whooping Cranes were killed this past winter, shot in Georgia and Alabama, four of them birds ICF had reared and released through the Direct Autumn Release method. We knew these birds by name, by personality.
But, these tall, ancient birds have shown remarkable resilience. We can only imagine the sheets of ice flickering across our landscapes a thousand crane generations ago, a seemingly hopeless crisis for the species. The white crane survived the Ice Ages as many wildlife species did not. Another crisis came from humans – wetlands converted to farmlands, and relentless hunting. The Whooping Cranes fell to a couple dozen birds on earth in the 1940s. With intense human help this species is making it back from the brink. But, right now, the new flock in the upper Midwest needs our special help.
These times, not just for cranes but also for us, demand faith and confidence. We have good reason to hope. ICF aviculturists are preparing to rear Whooping Crane chicks for release at a new site in eastern Wisconsin. With your help, we continue efforts to achieve this dream for cranes. The growing flock – and their chicks that first see light in our Midwest marshes – will be our generation’s legacy.
Warm wishes always,
George Archibald
Co-founder, Senior Conservationist
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We invite you to make a special gift this year to help the continued recovery of the Whooping Crane.
Please consider joining our Whooper Keepers – guardians who contribute $1,000 or more for this vital work. As a token of our thanks, all Whooper Keeper donors will be recognized with a plaque bearing their special message affixed to a bench in ICF’s celebrated Whooping Crane exhibit at our headquarters in Wisconsin.
For assistance with your gift, please contact the
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at (608) 356-9462.
 For updates on the 2011 Whooping Crane breeding season, join ICF on Facebook.
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