Ensuring a Future for North America’s Cranes
In addition to offering tours of one of the greatest spring migrations in the world, the Trust works year-round to protect and preserve nearly 10,000 acres of critical habitat for endangered Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, and many other species sharing fragile river and prairie ecosystems.
Find Your Way to Us
A unique experience in the middle of everywhere.
History
The Crane Trust was formed in 1978 out of a court-approved settlement of a controversy over the construction of Grayrocks Dam on a tributary of the Platte River in Wyoming. The state of Nebraska and the National Wildlife Federation objected to the project, claiming it would jeopardize irrigation and wildlife downstream in Nebraska. The settlement satisfied requirements of the Endangered Species Act and allowed the Missouri Basin Power Project, owners of Grayrocks, to complete construction. The Crane Trust was funded by a payment from the Missouri Basin Power Project. The Trust is administered by three trustees who are appointed by the three participants in the settlement.
In 2012, the Crane Trust acquired the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center to help fulfill its mission by providing a more active gateway and resource for community outreach and education. The Crane Trust continues our efforts, as we have done for nearly fifty years, to protect and maintain this vital habitat for the cranes that have been coming here for thousands of years.
Land Acknowledgment
Crane Trust acknowledges that we are in the homelands of the Pâri (Pawnee) and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux) Peoples. Our regional work also involves the past, present, and future lands of the Ponca, Omaha, Cheyenne, Otoe-Missouria, Lakota, Arapaho, Dakota, Kaw, Iowa, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) and Sac and Fox Peoples.
As a land-based conservation organization, we acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples have a vast and unique history here, have stewarded this land for generations, and continue to live and thrive here.
Conservation organizations like Crane Trust must work to maintain healthy habitats for plants, wildlife and all people. We offer our respect for the cultures of Indigenous Peoples, and for the example they set for us to care for the land for generations to come. To learn about the land you inhabit and its history, visit: Native-Land.ca
Our home on native land Crane Trust continues to engage and support native tribes through a variety of ongoing projects and communities: Partnership with the Pawnee Seed Preservation Society Documenting plants of indigenous importance with the Pawnee Historical Preservation Office Collaborating at the National Bison Association and with the InterTribal Buffalo Council Receiving a Bison Herd Blessing by the late Louis LaRose of the Winnebago Tribe.
Trustees
Shelley Sahling‑Zart
Board Chair
Shelley was raised in the Central Platte River valley and now lives and works in Lincoln, NE. and has worked for Lincoln Electric System since 1988 and has served as LES Vice President & General Counsel since 2011. She is a long-time leader both in Nebraska and the United States through her work with power and rail associations.
Brad Korell
Board Treasurer
Brad is a distinguished leader in business and community service. His career includes CEO and CFO positions with National Bank of Commerce and Olsson, both in Lincoln, Nebraska. His board leadership includes roles with numerous Nebraska entities. Brad brings his passion and expertise to his role at Crane Trust.
Craig Thompson
Board Secretary
A resident of Wyoming, Craig is a licensed professional engineer and a respected leader in conservation. He has served many national leadership roles, including Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest conservation organization. Craig is a widely published, award-winning researcher and writer.
Staff
With a dedicated staff boasting diverse backgrounds in biology, land management, fundraising, marketing, education, and other specialties, each member contributes to our mission of conserving and enhancing this rare ecosystem.
Brice Krohn
President & CEO
With extensive field experience and training in management of prescribed fires and wildfire burns, Brice enjoys restoring and preserving functioning prairie landscapes so his children and others can experience the beauty and importance of Mother Nature.
Wendy Bailey
Director of Finance & HR
Since joining the Crane Trust in 2011, Wendy has kept things running smoothly as Director of Finance, Admin, and Human Resources and oversees the daily operations of the Nature & Visitor Center.
Matt Fong
Director of Fundraising & Outreach
As a native of the central Platte River valley, Matt embraces the opportunity to tell the story of this important habitat and connect supporters to the work of the Crane Trust.
Tim Smith
Director of Land Management
Tim has dedicated his career to wetland and prairie restoration efforts on private and public lands. He oversees the Crane Trust’s Land Management Team, using proven techniques to ensure the Platte River and its surrounding habitat are preserved for the future.
Abraham Kanz
Director of Conservation Research
As a dedicated researcher, Abe earned his PhD focused on examining wet meadow habitat in Nebraska. He hopes to further examine wet meadow habitat while continuing to fulfill the long-term research plans of the Crane Trust.
Amy Sandeen
Outreach & Special Events Manager
Amy helps to share the mission of the Crane Trust through education programs, special events, outreach and marketing. A passionate photographer and nature enthusiast, Amy enjoys showcasing the splendor of the Platte River ecosystem.
Sandy Douglas
Relationship Coordinator
Through our overnight VIP program, Sandy works with members and supporters to experience the Sandhill Crane and Whooping Crane migration. Her ability to enthusiastically showcase the work of the Trust has helped to spread our mission around the world.
Kristi Castillo
Membership & Database Manager
Kristi assists Crane Trust members and supporters make connections with our work through the Trust’s membership portal. Her systems background ensures all of our online processes are working efficiently.
Sally Miller
Visitor Center Assistant
Sally has welcomed thousands of guests to the Nature & Visitor Center and adds her creative touch to events. She selects appealing Gift Shop items to ensure you can find unique gifts for your friends and family.
Lola Hoover
Visitor Center Assistant
As a former educator and with her experience in retail, Lola assists guests in connecting and learning about the work of the Crane Trust at the Nature & Visitor Center.
Joshua Wiese
Range Manager
A passionate “plant guy,” Josh is dedicated to restoring and preserving prairies surrounding the Platte River. Josh also manages the research associated with the Crane Trust’s bison herd and their effects on the prairie.
Bethany Ostrom
Wildlife Biologist
Since beginning her career as a Crane Trust intern, Bethany has coordinated, managed, and overseen our scientific surveys conducted throughout the year. To take the Trust to new heights, Bethany also conducts the annual aerial Sandhill Crane counts.
Stu Dethloff
Maintenance Technician
There really isn’t anything that Stu can’t do! He can fix, clean, and manage any project that needs to be done. He has a wide skill set to tackle the hard (and sometimes dirty) jobs that come up throughout the year at the Trust.
Mallory Beckmann
Range Technician
After working part-time while completing her Wildlife Biology degree, Mallory now works full-time to assist with various land management projects including dedicated care of the bison herd.
Adam Driver
Facility Manager
Adam has always been happiest outdoors, beginning with hunting expeditions with his father. He provides maintenance and beautification of the trail system, plus land and science collaborations to strengthen our mission.
Kylee Warren
Virtual Programs Producer
Kylee brings the Crane Trust’s mission to life through virtual programming, storytelling, and content archiving. She shares the world of cranes with a unique perspective, especially in her popular “Cranes After Dark” presentation.
Matt Urbanski
Special Projects Assistant
Matt creates content for social media as a Crane Trust videographer and photographer. He enjoys spending time outdoors and capturing the story of the Trust in creative ways.
Emma Richards
Lila O. Wilson Biological Monitoring Fellow
Emma, a Wildlife Biology graduate, is dedicated to habitat restoration and ecological surveys. She is currently developing a habitat model for the Southern Plains Bumble Bee as part of her fellows publication project.
Eleanor Muzzy
Saunders Conservation Fellow
Eleanor, with a background in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, applies her plant expertise to survey work and habitat restoration. Her publication project focuses on evaluating the treatment of exotic cool-season grasses using clethodim and glyphosate.
Careers
Crane Trust fosters a cooperative environment of dedicated professionals. We currently have multiple openings, including three full-time exempt positions and two year-long fellowships. Click on each image below for details and application instructions.
