Our Conservation Work
Science & Research
Crane Trust undertakes rigorous scientific research projects to inform land and water management, conservation policies, and land preservation efforts.
Whooping Crane
Sandhill Crane
Other Species
Research Publications
Publications include research projects led by Crane Trust staff, with acknowledged Crane Trust support, or conducted on Crane Trust properties.
Land Management
American Bison
Platte River
Prairie
Education
Crane Trust is part of a worldwide movement to prove that outdoor experiences are fundamental to our humanity, and we must reconnect with the natural world. Crane Trust education activities bring people together through shared outdoor experiences that connect us to place, nature, and each other. Participants learn through experiential field trips, special events, family programs, service-learning opportunities, presentations, virtual programs, and outreach events. Please explore our calendar or contact us to learn more!
Blog
Week 8 of 2025 Spring Crane Migration
While we were unable to sneak in a week 7 survey, we completed an early week 8 count on the 3 rd of April. Between Overton and Chapman we estimate 391,000 +/- 190,000 Sandhill Cranes around the Platte River. There were favorable migration days this past week so many...
Week 6 of 2025 Spring Crane Migration
Another big count in the books on Tuesday, the 25th! 705,000 +/- 193,000 Sandhill Cranes within the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) between Chapman and Overton, NE. Still very high numbers for this far into the season! However, because we have accumulated these...
Week 5 of 2025 Spring Crane Migration
Alright y’all, this is a big one! On Monday, 3/17/2025, we estimated 736,000 +/- 55,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton, NE. Do I dare even say that I am confident this was a decent undercount? Monday morning thousands of birds left the river early and...
Week 4 of 2025 Spring Crane Migration
Photograph by Jeff Carney on 3/8/2025 Hey all, On Saturday, 3/8/2025, we estimated 583,000 +/- 76,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton, NE. This is more than 11 times the number of cranes we saw last week and is a perfect representation of why we don’t try...
Week 3 of 2025 Spring Crane Migration
Hey all, On Thursday, 2/27/2025, we estimated 50,000 +/- 5,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton, NE. A majority of the cranes were between Highway 281 and Alda Rd. bridge. However, around 7,000 were seen east, over by Philips, NE. These numbers are very...
Early Mornings for Early Birds!
It’s time!! Fans of the blog will remember in my first blog post, I talked about how excited I was to see a Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus). I’m happy to report that the lekking season has once again begun! Once a week since January 17th, Emma...
