CONTACT: Jodi Legge, Director of External Affairs, 608-356-9462, ext. 120
Join Us to Celebrate 50 Years Saving Cranes and Ecosystems Around the World
April 26, 2023 – Celebrating its 50th year in 2023, the International Crane Foundation will open for the season on Monday, May 1, at 9 a.m. In addition to viewing all 15 crane species in one location, visitors can watch a new welcome video and download a new self-guided tour app.
The new video was funded through a grant from Advancing Conservation Through Empathy and was produced and written in-house. The video features vignettes from Africa, Asia, North America, Southeast Asia and our headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The foundation hired film crews in the countries we work to tell the stories of cranes, people, and the landscapes, wetlands and flyways where they live together.
The new app is downloadable from the Apple App Store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android. Search for International Crane Foundation to download.
“Spring is a wonderful time to visit our headquarters and view our cranes in exhibits that mimic their natural habitats,” said Kim Gray, Chief Operating Officer. “We welcome all to hike our nature trails or take a guided public tour to learn more about these beautiful birds and our efforts to protect them.”
Public tours will be held on weekends at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in May, September and October; and daily in June, July and August.
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, watch for many exciting opportunities throughout the season:
- The International Crane Foundation’s nature-themed gift shop will have 50 new crane-themed products to celebrate the anniversary, including artwork, jewelry and coffee.
- “The Call of the Crane,” a new sculpture by Ho-Chunk Artist Melanie Tallmadge Sainz, will be installed later this summer.
- The foundation will host several events this season, including “An Evening with the Cranes” in June; a special 50th Anniversary Membership event and dinner in September; and the second Great Midwest Crane Fest, in partnership with the Aldo Leopold Foundation, in November.
Located in Baraboo, just a short drive from Wisconsin Dells, the International Crane Foundation is open daily from May 1 – October 31, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, visit our website: www.savingcranes.org or call 608-356-9462 ext. 121.