International Crane Foundation Nonprofit Org E11376 Shady Lane Rd. U.S. Postage P.O. Box 447 PAID Baraboo, WI 53913-0447 LaCrosse, WI www.savingcranes.org Permit No. 25
Address Service Requested
Volume 35, Number 4 November 2009 Securing Waters for Cranes, Ourselves, Our World By Rich Beilfuss, Vice President-Programs
The International Crane Foundation is a Travel Green destination.
www.travelgreenwisconsin.com
The Bugle is printed with non-VOC UV inks. Newsletter is also available in electronic format.
Our new Cranes of the World T-shirt is available just in time for the gift giving season. The artwork was created by our very own Education Naturalist Darcy Love. These 100% pre-shrunk cotton tees come in LONG sleeved hroughout the world, rivers and their But these magnificent places where cranes and waters sizes S-XL in dark chocolate or forest green or floodplains provide clean drinking water and meet are in trouble. Within our lifetime, the global SHORT sleeved, also in sizes S-XL in indigo support agriculture, fisheries, and other vital population will reach nine billion people, mainly blue or dark chocolate. Price: $24.99 Short Tecosystem services that sustain our livelihoods. They nourish concentrated in urban centers. One billion will suffer from Sleeve or $29.99 Long Sleeve. FREE shipping a remarkable biodiversity of plants and animals. Our most inadequate drinking water, and water shortages for in the Continental U.S. through Jan. 15, 2010. threatened cranes – Siberian, Whooping, Red-crowned, agriculture will threaten food security for many. Political Let the festivities begin… with this 3” Wattled, and others – are intricately dependent on river tensions already loom over the access to water and energy, hand-painted glass ball ornament. Artist Jay Jocham has done it again. Another These meticulously crafted ornaments floodplains for their survival. and global climate change may further Continued on page 2 wonderful and original Christmas card. This come in a beautiful red fabric gift box one is titled, Enlightenment and the inside text that is ready to go at a price that is reads: Joy Peace Hope. This lively winter scene sure to please. Price: $15.99. FREE Follow the Whooping Cranes! of dancing Whooping Cranes comes in shipping in the Continental U.S. Wattled Cranes depend on the natural packages of 10 cards with white envelopes. through Jan. 15, 2010. ebb and flow of rivers and their If you would like to receive email Price: $20.00. FREE shipping in the floodplains, as do many other species updates about Whooping Crane Continental U.S. through Jan. 15, 2010. of plants and animals, and people. reintroduction efforts – please Visit www.craneshop.org or call Photo by Warwick Tarboton Barb Bluske for personal attention email: [email protected] at 608-356-9462 ext. 117. Siberian Cranes Black-necked Cranes Directors Continued from page 1 Joseph Branch, Mequon, WI Notes from ICF (Chairman) destabilize regions that are already water-stressed. releases to mimic the natural flows that sustain freshwater ecosystems, George Archibald, Baraboo, WI President Jim Hook ... To help resolve this crisis, thousands of dams are being planned support the human livelihoods that depend on these ecosystems, and (Vice Chairman) and built. Big dams seem like an important part of the solution – they contribute to the national economy. Robert Dohmen, Mequon, WI 2009: Successes Amidst Adversity (Secretary) divert water to cities and irrigation schemes, and generate hydropower Many important discoveries emerged from this work. First, the Leslie Coolidge, Barrington Hills, IL as a renewable source of energy. But these dams come at great cost to needs of people, cranes, and many other species of plants and animals Richard Dana, North Freedom, WI forgotten people and wildlife downstream that depend on the natural are quite similar. There are no substantial conflicts or trade-offs among John Day, New York, NY As we close ICF to the public at the end of northeast China. We have advanced other ebb and flow of rivers. They provide a solution for some, but not for all. downstream water users: most require a return to more natural flow Judith Derse Langenbach, October, we are pleased with the results of a precedent-setting projects in northwest ICF has long recognized that solving the global freshwater crisis is patterns. Second, immediate improvements downstream could be made Oconomowoc, WI very successful 2009 season. Spring was Kazakhstan (for the spectacular Naurzum mainly a challenge of water distribution rather than absolute scarcity. with modest reductions in hydropower production, especially through Charles Gibbons, Jupiter, FL intensely busy as we scrambled to complete our wetlands, part of a newly declared World Heritage Our solutions lie in bringing together diverse water users, managers, the cooperative (conjunctive) management of Zambezi dams. Third, the Hall Healy, Glencoe, IL new Spirit of Africa exhibit. Due in part to this Site) and Vietnam (Tram Chim National Park). planners, and policy-makers to find common economic value of releasing some water to Polly Hix, Indianapolis, IN beautiful addition to our campus, the remainder Our efforts for water are further strengthened by ground for sharing water. Cranes have a key role downstream users outweighs its value when used Paul King, Vancouver, WA of the year has seen a marked increase in visitor the return of Dr. Rich Beilfuss, hydrologist, to ICF in this process – helping us Zambezi River Basin solely for hydropower and Lalise Mason, Houston, TX numbers, tour groups, memberships and gift shop to serve as Vice President-Programs. understand the importance of upstream supply. And fourth, by Nancy Mathews, Madison, WI sales. Public interest in the cranes has been a ICF hosted its first Cranes of the World Festival naturally-functioning river releasing more natural flows in Margery Nicolson, Pacific Palisades, CA bright spot in a very challenging year and we are during our Annual Meeting in September. We systems for the web of life. the early wet season, the dams Nancy O’Donnell, Saukville, WI thankful for our hard-working gift shop and site welcomed a record number of visitors, as well as The great Zambezi River of increased their capacity to store Harry Peterson, Middleton, WI management staff, as well as our dedicated special guests such as wildlife educator David southern Africa is a lifeline for damaging floods that may occur Regina Phelps, San Francisco, CA volunteers and naturalists for their efforts. Stokes. At the evening banquet, we celebrated the 10 million people and many of late in the wet season. Bill Smith, Shell Lake, WI In September, the Wisconsin Green Building annual conferral of the ICF “Good Egg” awards. I Africa’s greatest conservation Our team used this scientific Richard Steeves, Madison, WI Alliance (WGBA) announced their 2009 am very pleased to recognize the three recipients: areas, and knowledge to advocate for a new Carl-Albrecht von Treuenfels, Germany Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Leadership home to most of the world’s approach to managing Zambezi Sandra Whitmore, Libertyville, IL Awards. ICF’s Spirit of Africa was one of two • The UW Veterinary School has actively Wattled Cranes. For two waters in a more inclusive, Ginny Wolfe, Madison, WI and Tucson, AZ recipients of the Focus on Energy Award of supported ICF’s bird programs over the past 25 decades ICF has worked in equitable, and sustainable Excellence. WGBA noted our use of natural years. Our close partnership gives ICF ready Other Officers close partnership with manner. Through forums with daylight and solar power, a design that stresses the access to the school’s facilities, and in turn, colleagues from Africa and local communities, meetings Jim Hook, Milwaukee, WI capture and reuse of gray water, our use of provides unique learning opportunities for abroad to promote the with government decision- (President and CEO) recycled materials and low maintenance native veterinary students in the field of avian and sustainable management of makers and planners, and Rich Beilfuss, Madison, WI plant species. Most notable is our expectation to conservation medicine. (Vice President-Programs) Zambezi waters. At first, our presentations for global be energy positive - making us a net provider of • Ann Grigsby has volunteered with our Crane Richard Fox, Winnetka, IL Conservation Department for over 12 years and goal seemed simple: to audiences such as the World (Treasurer) energy back into the electrical power grid. Just this has made substantial contributions to our chick understand how big Zambezi Water Forum, we garnered local, Jim Harris, Baraboo, WI and Harbin, China week, the Baraboo Chamber of Commerce dams affected Wattled Cranes national, and international (Vice President) announced that ICF was honored with the 2009 rearing program and the care of adult cranes at in Mozambique, and what we Map by Mike Engels attention. We gained the backing Tourism Award that recognizes the importance of Crane City. Her dedicated support and her might do about it. We studied long-term changes in the annual timing, of Mozambique’s Ministry of Environment, the Zambezi Valley organizations like ours to the strong local interest incredibly positive attitude is an inspiration to magnitude, and duration of Zambezi flows, and how these changes were Planning Authority, and other government institutions. in eco-tourism. all of us. adversely affecting these endangered birds. We learned how the annual Our vision now is for the river operators themselves to take Our Baraboo campus grew in October. With the • We are all aware that ICF had two co-founders, spread and recession of floodwaters triggers production of the ownership of this process and make it their “business as usual.” This strong support of our Board of Directors, we George Archibald and Ron Sauey. But, as George states, “ICF had a third co-founder, Forrest underground plant tubers that Wattled Cranes almost exclusively feed past year we joined forces with the World Wide Fund for Nature ICF’s official airline proceeded with the strategic acquisition of a 15- Hartmann.” In the early years, Ron and George on, how failed floods fuel the wildfires that destroy their nests, and how (WWF), which has worked for decades to improve water The ICF Bugle is the quarterly newsletter acre property directly across Shady Lane Road from met with attorney Forrest once a week to pay mis-timed floodwaters wash out eggs and chicks. As we broadened our management in the Kafue Flats – another key floodplain in the for members of the International Crane our visitor center. The land and buildings provide bills, discuss non-profit legal issues and develop studies, we sought to understand how these hydrological changes affect Zambezi Basin, The Nature Conservancy, which is engaged in Foundation. ICF was founded in 1973 by Ronald important growth options for ICF. The property Sauey, Ph.D (1948 - 1987) and includes a dwelling that will accommodate up to strategies for moving our fledgling foundation a wider circle of species and ecological processes. A litany of ecological sustainable hydropower development for freshwater conservation George Archibald, Ph.D. six interns next year. In recent years our Guest forward. We recognize Forrest for his generosity, impacts emerged: loss of feeding grounds for many wildlife species, around the world, the UNESCO Institute for Water Education, and Editor: Betsy Didrickson House capacity has been insufficient. We also will his professional expertise, and his common spread of damaging fires and invasive species, falling water tables with the national universities of Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Bugle comments or questions? have excellent outbuildings to support our Site sense. Most recently, he helped with our drying of lakes and wetlands, erosion of river banks and coastal shores, Our partnership supports Zambezi river basin managers in realizing Please write Betsy at [email protected] or Management Department. Finally, the property will successful acquisition of the property across and salinization of soils. their goals for improved water management. As we continue to build P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI. 53913 provide convenient off-site parking – something the road. Realizing that many of these impacts were as grave for people as for trust and common understanding among us, we are learning about Memberships are vital to ICF. Please join or give that is always a challenge for special events and wildlife, we further expanded our investigation to include hundreds of the constraints managers face and the training and resources they a gift membership to a friend at the following buses at ICF. In these times it is particularly important to annual rates: interviews with local residents. We learned how these same changes in need to move forward. This issue of The Bugle, and our 2009 Annual nurture ICF’s culture of caring and commitment. the water regime were harming agriculture, fisheries, grazing lands, What began as an effort to help an endangered population of cranes Student or Senior Citizen...... $25 Campaign, highlight some of ICF’s work on major It takes a wide range of dedicated people to make Individual...... $35 natural resource stocks, and almost every aspect of how people use has scaled-up through time to tackle one of the greatest challenges of water issues confronting cranes and wetlands. We this organization succeed and we can all be water for their daily needs. Economists estimated the value of these our times: to manage rivers for biodiversity, human livelihoods, and Family...... $50 Associate ...... $100 are proud indeed that a small Baraboo thankful that this year, particularly, we continue to losses, and showed that the annual impact of hydrological changes eonomic development. Significant challenges lie ahead, for the Zambezi Sustaining ...... $250 organization, mobilizing numerous partners have this support working for us every day. resulted in tens of millions of dollars of lost revenues for Mozambique. and other rivers in Africa, Asia, and North America. But cranes – our Sponsor ...... $500 through the charismatic cranes, is playing a Thanks to all for generous contributions of your These findings led us to develop simulation models of how Zambezi ambassadors for water – have much to teach us about a better water Patron ...... $1,000 pioneering role for water management to sustain time, skills and interest – you are a pillar of dams are operated. We modeled the potential for improved water future for all. Benefactor...... $2,000 Cranemaker ...... $10,000 wetlands and wildlife in southern Africa and strength for our foundation.
2. The ICF Bugle - Vol. 35, No. 4 - November 2009 The ICF Bugle - Vol. 35, No. 4 - November 2009 3. The spring of 2005 was critical. Aside from the devastating fires and national media attention Ambassadors Water for Zhalong brought to the negative changes at Zhalong, project By Jim Harris, Vice President staff had the opportunity to fly over Zhalong to conduct aerial counts of breeding Red-crowned for The wetlands of Songnen Plain in northeast China lie mid-way along Cranes. ICF’s Dr. Su Liying worked at Zhalong in the Water the migration for Siberian Cranes from the Yangtze River Basin to the 1980s and knew the marsh intimately. From the plane, she observed tundra for nesting. Cranes and other waterbirds rest here for weeks numerous roads, dikes and ditches constructed in recent years across each spring and fall. Water, always scarce in this region, supports a the marsh and through the core area. growing human population and rapidly changing economy. All these As a result the marsh was heavily fragmented. Water could not flow ike humans,our beloved cranes – one of the world’s most critical time for the fate of these birds as China’s ambitious water wetlands are threatened by water diversion for human uses, coupled freely. The flight occurred during a large release of water in response to endangered family of birds – depend on fresh water for development plans threaten to inundate their last significant with natural cycles of drought. With climate change, water scarcity the dry spring conditions and fires. Due to ditches and roads, this water L survival. Water and freshwater ecosystems provide for wintering location.The plight of Siberian Cranes has captured the will become more frequent. flooded some areas deeply, no doubt washing out nests of birds; other human sustenance, industry, transportation, energy, recreation and special attention of the Chinese government and local stakeholders, Zhalong is the largest of these wetlands and supports the world’s adjacent areas received no water at all. A water management plan would renewal.For cranes,access to water and healthy wetlands is essential and ICF has earned an important role as our 11-year studies of the largest breeding population of Red-crowned Cranes. Water need to address the flows of water around these obstructions. These to feed,breed and thrive.When wetlands dry,cranes vanish.As cranes and wetlands at Poyang provides the best basis for integrating human demand for water and the impacts from water scarcity and waterbird conservation with improving human livelihoods. development, however, has transformed the hydrology of this 210,000 events highlighted the need for on-going monitoring of the wetland, a variable climates grow,so do the strains on freshwater systems.It is Today, ICF researcher James Burnham is working to complete his hectare national nature reserve. A system of canals – each 30 meters program that we established for water, plants, and waterbirds. These our human obligation to create practical solutions and ensure access doctoral research developing a computer model to help Chinese across – has stopped the historic flows of water across the landscape, data have allowed us to evaluate the water releases and provide on- to water for all people,and we at ICF act upon that obligation as we resource managers assess the impacts of proposed dams on the most from the Wuyuer and Nen Rivers. The purpose is not to drain the going recommendations for improving their effectiveness. work for the cranes. important areas for Siberian Cranes and other wildlife. Ambassadors marsh itself, but simply to carry water past to distant human users. ICF has worked with Chinese wetlands and remote sensing experts The connections between water, people and cranes are central to for Water supports this program and more to protect Asia’s Zhalong now must depend on rainfall. Yet the average annual rainfall to map fragmentation of the wetland, as a baseline for preventing nearly all ICF conservation programs. In order to save these threatened cranes and freshwater ecosystems. of 420 mm is far less than evapotranspiration of 1,310 mm. further encroachments. Based on this mapping, a wetland restoration magnificent birds, we must at the same time help meet the needs of At home,ICF veterinarian Dr.Barry Hartup is serving as the Fortunately, the canals have five water gates located along upper parts plan has been developed with recommendations to reduce the people who share these freshwater environments. Through the medical lead on a multi-year project that will track the last of the marsh. No construction is needed to facilitate water releases. fragmentation by putting culverts under roads and breaking down International Crane Foundation’s annual campaign, Ambassadors for naturally-reproducing flock of Whooping Cranes, which migrates Nevertheless, a regular program of water releases, to sustain dikes that serve little purpose or that have been built illegally. Water, we celebrate the remarkable effectiveness of cranes at inspiring between Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada and Aransas biodiversity and ecosystem functions of the wetlands, had never The SWRC included the features of our water management plan partnership, creativity and action to achieve water conservation National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. This population suffered last happened in China. Numerous agencies needed to be involved. But the within regional water management plans that have since been endorsed solutions for people and wildlife. The campaign advances key ICF winter as water diversions and drought reduced flows of freshwater timing was good. Recently, the Ministry of Water Resources expanded by the central government of China. A remaining challenge has been programs where water is a central theme and expands our into the estuaries where the Whooping Cranes feed on blue crabs. its mandate, so that ecological values of water have equal consideration met by the Heilongjiang Provincial Government, which has allocated 4 organization’s expertise in this critical area of conservation. Research by Barry and partners will increase our understanding of with economic values. The Songliao Water Resources Commission million yuan annually to pay for water releases for Zhalong. These To this end, Ambassador for Water allows a key addition to our the habitat requirements and challenges faced by Whooping Cranes (SWRC) – under this Ministry and responsible for water planning in decisions provide a national precedent and represent a major staff, hydrologist Dr. Rich Beilfuss, as ICF’s Vice President- during migration, and ultimately help inform and improve future northeast China – was tasked with determining and supplying the contribution for China wetlands. Programs.Rich initiated ICF’s work in Africa in the 1990s and has conservation efforts for this rarest of the world’s endangered cranes amount of water needed to sustain Zhalong. Our parallel water Zhalong Marsh, however, has experienced a serious ecological rejoined us to assume an expanded leadership role for the and the delicate systems on which they,and we,depend. planning project for Zhalong, undertaken by ICF and Chinese partners, crisis. Strong measures already initiated can reverse the downward organization and to guide our many water-related projects. Rich will Your special gift to ICF’s Ambassadors for Water campaign provided ecological expertise that complemented the efforts of SWRC. trends if they are adjusted regularly according to monitoring results. expand efforts to use environmental flows (prescribed releases of supports these important projects and more – across Asia,Africa We are making specific recommendations: release water from dams) on the Zambezi River Delta inAfrica to restore and North America – where opportunities exist to help people, of water from multiple locations, release of water habitat for threatened Wattled Cranes while sustaining those facets cranes,wild things and wild places.Together,we will continue to in autumn rather than spring, gradual removal of of the system that are vital to the region’s food production and demonstrate how creative, inclusive, science-based approaches solve economy.The same flowing water needed to sustain people conflicts over water and secure a better future for us all. obstacles to water flow in the wetland, and and nourish wetlands is essential to the prohibiting further construction in the wetland. continuation of Wattled Cranes and Double your gift to conservation! Our work at Zhalong has been part of the many other species. Rich’s Through commitments from UNEP/GEF Siberian Crane Wetland Project, and is pioneering work demonstrates ICF’s Board of Directors, also supported by the National Fish and Wildlife how dams and hydropower Phil Pines and other Foundation and ConocoPhillips Spirit of can be more compatible generous donors, your Migratory Bird Conservation. with ecosystem gift to the campaign protection and wildlife. will be matched ICF helped develop water management plans for three At Poyang Lake in dollar-for-dollar other reserves in Songnen Plain. Following completion China, ICF has until we reach our of its plan, Momoge Nature Reserve then purchased worked for over a goal of $600,000. water from Nen River to replenish wetlands otherwise decade to help dry this autumn. Over 2,000 Siberian Cranes paused safeguard the world’s to rest and feed, the result of pioneering water last flock of Siberian Siberian Cranes. Photo management along China’s crane flyway. Cranes.Now is a by Sture Traneving Photo by Jim Harris
The ICF Bugle - Vol. 30, No. 2 - May 2003 4. The ICF Bugle - Vol. 35, No. 4 - November 2009 The ICF Bugle - Vol. 35, No. 4 - November 2009 5. Update from the Field Demoiselle Cranes Crane News From By K.S. Gopi Sundar in Ethiopia Rainfall patterns in north By Berihun Gebremedhin, Yirmed India are changing, apparently Demeke, Teshale Atsebeha and Around the World in part due to the changing Berhane Meressa global climate. This year, the A field trip to the Kafta-Sheraro seasonal monsoonal rains National Park in northwest began very late – the latest in Ethiopia, was undertaken from four decades – and very little March 26 - April 16, 2009 to assess rainfall occurred in the central the faunal diversity of the park and Gangetic flood plains. Sarus learn the impacts of the major Cranes time their breeding Photo by Rich Armstrong threats. The park is registered Sarus pair duet in rice paddy. Photo by with rainfall and the flooding among the 73 Important Bird Areas in Ethiopia. Besides supporting K.S. Gopi Sundar of fields in preparation for the the remnant elephant population in the expanse of the Tekeze Valley, rice planting. In normal years, most Sarus pairs begin building nests and being a home to many ungulates, predators and a variety of in late June, but the first nests this year were seen in mid-August. Rice birds, this expedition reports for the record more than 21,500 planting was also similarly delayed. The first few eggs are beginning Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo. This number is about 9% of to hatch now, and surveys over the winter will show how successful the world’s Demoiselle Crane population, which qualifies the park Sarus pairs have been relative to normal years. These surveys to be a Ramsar Site. This record is perhaps the first document for demonstrate the necessity to incorporate globally occurring changes Ethiopia and confirms that the country serves as a wintering site for in Sarus Crane conservation plans in addition to including local Demoiselle Cranes. Finally, this report suggests that the Ethiopian changes in wetland management. as well as the Eritrean Governments and local and international conservation groups should provide their utmost attention to Whooping Crane this park. Reintroduction Update Twelve pairs of Whooping A Good Year for ICF’s Cranes nested in Wisconsin Visitor Program in April of this year. By Rob Carr Unfortunately, all initial 2009 proved to be a successful nests were abandoned. Five year for ICF's visitor program. Capture team putting out snares in shallow water at Napahai Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. Left: Yu Hongzhong from Shangri-la Forestry pairs re-nested. Three of We have welcomed over 27,000 Bureau; Right: Wang Kai from Kunming Institute of Zoology. Photo by Li Fengshan these nests were abandoned, visitors to our site this season. while two pairs hatched ICF provided guided programs Whooping Cranes. Photo by Satellite tracking reveals a new migration route for Summer Camp in China chicks. One pair had their for over 15,000 people, Christoph Mans Black-necked Cranes By Joan Garland chick for two weeks before including students and teachers By Li Fengshan and Sara Gavney Moore This summer ICF staff Jim it disappeared. The other pair hatched a chick from an egg that was from over 100 schools in the “swapped” into their nest (their own egg was infertile). This chick was Working with the China Exploration and Research Society, Harris, Vice President and Midwest. In addition, we held observed for about a month before it also disappeared. Many nest two well attended special Kunming Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Joan Garland, Outreach Coordinator participated in a abandonments coincided with the hatch of black flies. Incubating events. The Spirit of Africa Napahai Nature Reserve, Shangri-la County Forestry Bureau and summer camp at Keerqin birds appeared to be swarmed, stressed and then left their nests. The Wildlife entertainer David Stokes grand opening marked the National Bird Banding Center of China, ICF researchers successfully Nature Reserve in northeast chicks that hatched were perhaps taken by predators. Releases of teaches visitors at the Cranes of the highest attendance day in ICF’s caught and banded two Black-necked Cranes with satellite China, breeding grounds for captive-reared Whooping Cranes will continue next year at Necedah World Festival about native reptiles, history, and our first annual transmitters at Napahai Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province, China the Red-crowned and White- National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Several studies are underway to amphibians, and mammals. Photo Cranes of the World Festival in (at 10,700 feet) from late February to mid-March 2009. One bird Educator Hu Yabin leads an naped Cranes and migration determine the cause of the nest failures. by Debbie Johnson September also boasted record was caught with snares developed by the Kunming Institute of environmental education activity in the stopover site for the Siberian Twenty Whooping Crane chicks left Necedah NWR behind attendance. We would like to thank all of the dedicated staff, interns Zoology and the other by the same snares used for Sandhill Cranes grasslands at Keerqin Nature Reserve. Crane. The camp was led by ultralight aircraft in mid October. Due to adverse weather conditions and volunteers that made this season’s success possible. For more in the USA. The first crane started its spring migration on April 7, Photo by Joan Garland educators from ICF’s partner forward progress of this migration has been hampered. Nine Direct information about visiting ICF, guided programs or special events, Autumn Release (DAR) chicks have been acclimated by costumed 2009, stopped at Daocheng and Litang counties in Sichuan Province organization, Beijing Brooks Education Center, a Beijing-based please contact us at (608) 356-9462 ext. 127 or visit ICF’s website at aviculturists at the Necedah Refuge. These chicks were released and on April 8th arrived at the border area between Baiyu and nonprofit organization. Camp activities for students focused on www.savingcranes.org/visiticf.html recently to integrate and migrate with wild cranes. Xinlong counties in Sichuan. The total migration distance was ecosystem conservation and environmental stewardship. Educator about 400 km. This is the first time we have discovered that Black- workshops trained local teachers and nature reserve staff to implement these lessons. The camp was part of the Three White Cranes, Two necked Cranes use this area for breeding or spending the summer. New Crane Specialist Forum ICF announces a new opportunity for crane specialists from anywhere in the world to Flyways, One World education project, which links students and post updates on crane status, distribution, threats to cranes or their habitats, and conservation experiences or solutions. To The other crane, a juvenile, left Napahai on June 4 and arrived at teachers along the East Asian crane flyway with students and educators contribute, please send text and photos to moderator Jim Harris, Chair of the Crane Specialist Group under the auspices of the breeding area in Daocheng in one day, with a distance of 180 along the eastern flyway in the U.S. Project activities in China are the Species Survival Commission of IUCN and Wetlands International. Your news and material will be helpful to us as km travelled. The two migration routes are new to our knowledge supported by the UNEP/GEF Siberian Crane Wetlands Project. the Crane Specialist Group updates the Crane Action Plan, and will be available for anyone to read. Questions about research, of Black-necked Crane migration. Activities for American schools are supported by the Erica P.John or requests for advice or others’ experience with specific conservation challenges, are also welcome. The Crane Specialist Forum is under construction on the ICF website. There will be an icon on the home page that will connect specialists with Fund and the Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation. the forum. Help us develop the content by sending your information and photos to: [email protected]
The ICF Bugle - Vol. 30, No. 2 - May 2003 6. The ICF Bugle - Vol. 35, No. 4 - November 2009 The ICF Bugle - Vol. 35, No. 4 - November 2009 7. International Crane Foundation Nonprofit Org E11376 Shady Lane Rd. U.S. Postage P.O. Box 447 PAID Baraboo, WI 53913-0447 LaCrosse, WI www.savingcranes.org Permit No. 25
Address Service Requested
Volume 35, Number 4 November 2009 Securing Waters for Cranes, Ourselves, Our World By Rich Beilfuss, Vice President-Programs
The International Crane Foundation is a Travel Green destination.
www.travelgreenwisconsin.com
The Bugle is printed with non-VOC UV inks. Newsletter is also available in electronic format.
Our new Cranes of the World T-shirt is available just in time for the gift giving season. The artwork was created by our very own Education Naturalist Darcy Love. These 100% pre-shrunk cotton tees come in LONG sleeved hroughout the world, rivers and their But these magnificent places where cranes and waters sizes S-XL in dark chocolate or forest green or floodplains provide clean drinking water and meet are in trouble. Within our lifetime, the global SHORT sleeved, also in sizes S-XL in indigo support agriculture, fisheries, and other vital population will reach nine billion people, mainly blue or dark chocolate. Price: $24.99 Short Tecosystem services that sustain our livelihoods. They nourish concentrated in urban centers. One billion will suffer from Sleeve or $29.99 Long Sleeve. FREE shipping a remarkable biodiversity of plants and animals. Our most inadequate drinking water, and water shortages for in the Continental U.S. through Jan. 15, 2010. threatened cranes – Siberian, Whooping, Red-crowned, agriculture will threaten food security for many. Political Let the festivities begin… with this 3” Wattled, and others – are intricately dependent on river tensions already loom over the access to water and energy, hand-painted glass ball ornament. Artist Jay Jocham has done it again. Another These meticulously crafted ornaments floodplains for their survival. and global climate change may further Continued on page 2 wonderful and original Christmas card. This come in a beautiful red fabric gift box one is titled, Enlightenment and the inside text that is ready to go at a price that is reads: Joy Peace Hope. This lively winter scene sure to please. Price: $15.99. FREE Follow the Whooping Cranes! of dancing Whooping Cranes comes in shipping in the Continental U.S. Wattled Cranes depend on the natural packages of 10 cards with white envelopes. through Jan. 15, 2010. ebb and flow of rivers and their If you would like to receive email Price: $20.00. FREE shipping in the floodplains, as do many other species updates about Whooping Crane Continental U.S. through Jan. 15, 2010. of plants and animals, and people. reintroduction efforts – please Visit www.craneshop.org or call Photo by Warwick Tarboton Barb Bluske for personal attention email: [email protected] at 608-356-9462 ext. 117.