The Country Today ~
To the 80 or so employees of the International Crane Foundation and the organization’s supporters around the world, cranes are much more than a bird that is in danger of becoming extinct.
Cranes are animals that have cultural clout around the world, and often provide a pathway to protect some of the special places where they live.
About 600 crane enthusiasts gathered for “An Evening with the Cranes” on June 17 at the International Crane Foundation’s worldwide headquarters between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells. The 287-acre facility is the only place in the world where people can see all 15 crane species at one location, and it is about to get a major face-lift.
At the event, International Crane Foundation staff members unveiled a $10 million renovation plan that is in the design/ development stage, with construction scheduled to begin in 2018 and be completed by late 2019 or early 2020.
“We have a beautiful site already, but it will be fun to see how much more beautiful it will be in a couple years,” International Crane Foundation Vice President of Headquarters Operations Kim Smith said.