On the way back from Baraboo, Flat Matthew and I stopped at the International Crane Foundation. The Foundation's visitor center is only open from April through October, so we did not get to see any cranes. Flat Matthew did hear some cranes squawking, though, while I took his picture outside the entrance gates. The gate looks like cranes standing among reeds in the water.The International Crane Foundation works worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland and grassland ecosystems on which they depend. ICF is dedicated to providing experience, knowledge, and inspiration to involve people in resolving threats to these ecosystems. They even breed cranes so that endangered species do not go extinct.
They have been part of the effort to save the whooping cranes. This is the tallest bird in North America, and in 1941, there were only 21 left. Today, thanks to the efforts of groups like the International Crane Foundation, there are over 340. Flat Matthew said that 340 did not sound like many, but it is a lot more than 21.
Young whooping cranes have to be taught to migrate from Wisconsin to places like Florida and Texas for the winter. They used to learn by following adult whooping cranes, but because there are so few adults, rescue teams learned that the young cranes would follow an ultralight aircraft to learn the way. The picture is of the first migration of young cranes to fly from Wisconsin to Florida in January, 2009.Flat Matthew thought it would be fun to fly in an ultralight aircraft. Maybe someday he can join one of the groups that help to save the cranes and fly with them.
Michael
I saw your posting on Flat Matthew visiting the International Crane Foundation (ICF). I coordinate online activities for ICF's international education project, Three White Cranes, Two Flyways, One World (view our project site at www.trackingcranes.org/en/index.html), and I'm curious if Flat Matthew might be interested in an international adventure this summer? We are always looking for new ways to promote exchanges between students in the US and East Asia, and Flat Matthew might be able to visit northeastern China and Russia with our staff this summer. Please contact me if this would fit into his schedule.
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