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.
Caven, A.J., and M.L. Forsberg. 2025. Whooping Crane nesting behavior, parental care, and ecology at Wood Buffalo National Park. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 16:52-68.
Caven, J.C., and J.D. Wiese. 2025. Sandhill Crane lead poisoning linked to a wetland restoration. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 16:226–230.
Read More
Fontsere, C., Speak, S. A., Caven, A. J., Rodríguez, J. A., Wang, X., Pacheco, C., ….Hartup, B.K…. & Morales, H. E. 2025. Persistent genomic erosion in whooping cranes despite demographic recovery. Molecular Ecology, e70088.
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 Spring Crane Migration
Hey all, On Monday the 6 th , we estimated at least 15,000 ± 2,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton NE. The season is definitely wrapping up. From this year’s plateau at half a million cranes surrounding week 5, we’ve experienced a very rapid drop in...
Week 7 of Spring Crane Migration
Hey all, On March 30th we surveyed the Central Platte River Valley and we estimate there are at least 60,800 +/- 12,400 Sandhill Cranes within the valley. A majority of the cranes are between Shelton and Kearney. This is a dramatic decrease from last week’s 400,000...
Week 6 of 2026 Spring Crane Migration
Week 6 Aerial Sandhill Crane Survey Hey all,On March 19 th we estimated there are at least 400,000 +/- 49,000 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley. A few variables during the survey likely contributed to a lower estimate than anticipated. While this...
Week 4 of 2026 Spring Crane Migration
Hey all, After a long foggy week, we counted 402,000 +/- 40,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton, Nebraska, this morning (March 7 th ). This is above average for this time of year and, much like the last count (week 2), the numbers are closer to next week’s...
Week 1 & 2 of 2026 Spring Crane Migration
Hey all, Happy crane season! On Monday the 23 rd of February we estimated 115,000 +/- 6,000 Sandhill Cranes between Chapman and Overton, NE, along the Platte River. On February 12 th, we estimated around 50,000 cranes in the area. These numbers are definitely on the...
Booms, Squabbles, and Fancy Footwork
We have monitored our Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) lek every year since 2015, from mid-January to late May. There are three different ways that we monitor the lek: audio recorders, camera traps, and scan sampling. We place the audio recorder,...