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
Wintering Cranes Week 1
Hi all!! On the morning of Tuesday December 2nd I had the opportunity to participate in our first winter crane survey! On this chilly morning Bethany Ostrom, lead biologist and professional crane counter, recorded 28,500 (+/- 2,600) sandhill cranes huddled up together...
Fun with Firbs
The fall is easily one of my favorite times of the year. The temperatures reach that perfect level of not too hot and not too cool. I can look out my window and see a mosaic of straw yellows, pale oranges, and dark woody browns. Another aspect about the fall that I...
Fall Migration Week 3
Hey all!On Wednesday morning (11/12) we had 21,200 (+/- 1,600) Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte River Valley! About 75% of the cranes were between Highway 281 and Alda Rd. viewing deck. It feels like early spring both on the ground and in the plane. We don’t know...
Flutter Goals
Monarch Butterfly (Left) and Male Regal Fritillary (Right)Since 2015 the Crane Trust has been monitoring two butterfly species of concern within the state of Nebraska: the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia). With both of...
Fall Migration Week 2
Hey all! We got some cranes yesterday morning! We estimate around 1,500 Sandhill Cranes betweenChapman and Overton NE. The Sandhill Cranes were roosting in the river between Highway 281 and Alda Rd lookout. If the cranes stuck around last night they were illuminated...
Fall Migration Week 1
Hey all, We had our first fallgration flight (fall migration Sandhill Crane aerial survey) on Thursday the 30 th . We did not see any Sandhill Cranes in the 80-mile stretch of river and surrounding landscape. This isn’t unusual at all as normal behavior in the fall is...