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
Who Gives a Scat?
When I took this job I did not think I would have to deal with so much poop! I mean I should’ve guessed what “collecting bison biometric data” on the job listing was a euphemism for, but ce la vie! Don’t get me wrong, poop is an incredibly useful biological tool!...
Birds & the Bees
Hey everyone! It’s Emma! I’m back to give you all some updates on what has been going on at the Crane Trust with the Science team. Birds first!!! Since I started in late May we have been conducting breeding bird surveys. This entails either Eleanor (Saunders...
Grant leads to Mobile Prairie Restoration Vehicle
Grants and Gifts are Critical to Success Recently, the Crane Trust was fortunate to receive a grant from the Union Pacific Foundation to purchase a Mobile Prairie Restoration Vehicle. You might be thinking… what’s that? It’s a Kubota Utility Vehicle that is outfitted...
Meet the Fellows!
Howdy folks! I’m so excited to be working with the Crane Trust over the next year! I graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (Ski-U-Mah!) last May with a Bachelor’s of Science in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. I grew up in Southeastern...
A Booming Bird: Greater Prairie Chickens
Starting in mid-January, the Crane Trust science team surveys our greater prairie chickens’ (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) lekking behavior on Mormon Island. To complete a survey, we have to meet at our headquarters while it is still dark, drive to Mormon Island, walk...
Crane Count Week 10 – 4/17/2024
Hey all! On Wednesday the 17th we saw 0 sandhill cranes between Overton and Chapman, NE. This is a 100% decrease from last week with our 57,000 on the 8th. However, I have gotten reports of a few stragglers still in the area (it is much easier to spot 1000s of cranes...