The future of cranes was once as fragile as the delicate and graceful birds themselves.
In 1973, inspired by the elegance and plight of cranes, George Archibald co-founded a global center for crane conservation, the International Crane Foundation. Forty-three years later, his vision has given flight to grassroots conservation efforts around the world and a network of passionate leaders committed to the preservation of landscapes critical to the survival of cranes and people alike.
As George celebrates his 70th birthday this year, he is as busy as ever – traveling to remote corners of the world to continue his life’s work. With every trip and every encounter, one thing remains constant – George discovers, nurtures, and inspires the conservation leaders of the future.
George has just one birthday wish, but we need your help to grant it. He wants to ensure that the global conservation leadership that he’s built over a lifetime will continue. Forever.
Help Continue George’s Legacy
Honor George Archibald’s birthday by investing in the next generation of scientists, educators, conservationists, and leaders who will carry his work forward. Here are just a few of the amazing individuals putting your gift to work:
As a graduate student supported by the International Crane Foundation, Tran Triet identified the last remaining wetlands in the Mekong Delta and the role Sarus Cranes can play in saving them. His studies led to an award-winning eco-business project in Vietnam that is improving livelihoods and increasing Sarus Crane numbers. Triet himself is now training future wetland conservationists across the Mekong Basin.
Since her first day as an education intern with the International Crane Foundation, Lizzie Condon seized every possible experience in crane conservation, with a special interest in the human aspects. Lizzie is now using her communication skills and ecological expertise as our frontline Whooping Crane outreach specialist, a position dedicated to changing the human behaviors that threaten Endangered Whooping Cranes.
Under the mentorship of the International Crane Foundation, Griffin Shanungu became a leader in the management of the three Zambian floodplains that sustain most of the world’s Wattled Cranes. Griffin is now paying it forward by mentoring an exceptional team of seven young Zambians, each of whom is leading wetland conservation efforts across critical crane habitats in Africa.