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
Each Spring, the Crane Trust Science Team conducts weekly aerial surveys of the Central Platte River Valley to monitor the Sandhill Crane population. We share the data via social media and email. Click here to receive the weekly crane counts.
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
Crane Trapping Update
Starting in March 2025, the Crane Trust began a Sandhill Crane tracking study focused on estimating foraging range for Sandhill Cranes and examining shifts in crane migration through the central migratory corridor. For this project Crane Trust partnered with the...
Week 9 of Spring Crane Migration
Hey all, This morning we conducted our last aerial survey of the spring crane migration. We did not see any cranes on our flight so our official count is 0 for week 9. However, thanks to Rowe Sanctuary’s river cam, we do know that there were around 1,000 cranes left...
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...