Volunteer Stories – Why Whooping Cranes?
The International Crane Foundation is a leader in the conservation of cranes, guiding efforts to protect and monitor populations, restore critical habitats, and educate, inspire, and empower craniacs across the globe. We don’t work alone, however, and we owe much of our success to the wonderful volunteers who help us accomplish our mission. Whether they have worked alongside us for 30 years or 30 days, we appreciate the time, expertise, and passion each volunteer dedicates to their work. To recognize their invaluable contributions, we interviewed committed volunteers across North America to learn more about what drives their passion to protect cranes.
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Margaret, Indiana, Whooping Crane Outreach Volunteer since 2019
As an avid lover of nature and supporter of conservation organizations, Margaret jumped at the opportunity to attend a Whooping Crane Ambassador training held at her local nature preserve. “It caught my interest right away. Within a month, I was already helping out at tabling events. Whenever there’s anything in my area, I’m on board if I’m available!”
Margaret is driven to continue her volunteer work with the International Crane Foundation because she recognizes how the Whooping Crane’s story grabs people’s attention. She reminisced about a recent encounter with a couple at Goose Pond’s Marsh Madness Festival. “They pretty much came up not knowing anything. By the time I was done talking to them, they were looking for the Foundation’s website on their phone and asking for membership forms, just saying how much they care and that they want their grandkids to see Whooping Cranes,” she said.
What Margaret really appreciates about her role as a volunteer is the opportunity to remind everyone that they can make a difference in Whooping Crane conservation. “People can say, “Oh, I may never see a Whooping Crane.” It doesn’t matter. Yes, that makes it more special, but you can still write to your legislators and make sure that legislation protecting wetlands is getting passed. Everybody can do something for Whooping Cranes even if they never see a crane in person.” Margaret’s passion for Whooping Cranes is clear and is reflected in the conversations she shares with those she meets as a volunteer. “I don’t think I’ve ever done a tabling event or a presentation where someone has not said “I want to find out more. I want to do more. I want to make a difference.” To me, that’s what it’s all about—making a difference.”
Doug, Wisconsin, Whooping Crane Outreach and Tracking Volunteer since 2012
Doug was no stranger to cranes before volunteering with the International Crane Foundation, sharing with us the story of his first encounter with Whooping Cranes. He initially called different parks and wildlife refuges asking if they had Sandhill Cranes, and he eagerly came to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge upon learning they had Whooping Cranes—what a surprise! “We walked up to the Northern part of Necedah, and we saw a pair of Whooping Cranes. We were walking along this berm, and all of a sudden, they scared us, and we scared them. They took off, and my wife said, [referencing the large white birds gracefully taking flight] “It looks like a couple of angels flying over.”
Sometimes, it only takes one moment to ignite a lifelong commitment to protecting Whooping Cranes. This spark has lit a flame that continues to burn inside of Doug today. He quickly joined the ranks as a volunteer crane handler for Operation Migration and later was invited to track Whooping Cranes on their breeding grounds. Today, Doug tracks Whooping Cranes every week for eight to nine months out of the year. One of his favorite memories was being able to photograph the first wild-hatched chick at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. “There are so many [memories], but that one stands out because it was the first wild-hatched chick at Horicon. That meant a lot.”
Robert, Wisconsin, Habitat Restoration Volunteer since 2018
Robert began his volunteer journey with the International Crane Foundation in 2017 after a career as a wildlife biologist. Upon retirement, Robert wanted to spend more time on the land helping with habitat management. He has been a staple to our program with his expertise in restoration, from removing woody vegetation to conducting prescribed burns at our headquarters. To Robert, “[Whooping Cranes] have been the poster child for endangered species management and species restoration for longer than I’ve been alive.” He hopes to see the Eastern Population of Whooping Cranes become self-sustaining and that Whooping Cranes can one day be downlisted as an endangered species.
As Robert says, “The International Crane Foundation and the folks there are very good at working with local communities to integrate crane management into the lifestyles of the people that live with cranes.” He had the opportunity to see these collaborations in action when traveling with George Archibald, Co-Founder of the Foundation, to Mongolia and Bhutan. Robert appreciated seeing firsthand how well the Foundation connects people around the world in supporting a shared goal of conserving cranes and the habitats they depend on for future generations.
Karen, Wisconsin, Habitat Restoration Volunteer since early 1990s
Karen was introduced to the International Crane Foundation in an unexpected corner of the Earth: Arctic Alaska. Upon hearing of Karen’s relocation to Wisconsin, some friends she made as a teacher above the arctic circle suggested she pay a visit to the Foundation. “Oh! You’re moving to Baraboo?” they said, “That’s where the International Crane Foundation is. It’s really amazing; you have to go there!”
As a teacher in Baraboo, Karen would bring her students to learn about the cranes on exhibit, and they were invited to collect prairie seeds to assist in restoration. This is how she got her start as a volunteer. Today, she and her partner, Robert, are always eager to assist wherever they can, whether that be through habitat restoration, clearing heavy snow off the nets of our crane pens, or even representing the Foundation in a local parade!
Early in her volunteer career, Karen was selected as one of several teachers to travel to Muraviovka Park in Far Eastern Russia. Here, she taught local children and teachers about the four species of cranes breeding nearby and the importance of their wetland habitats. When asked about a favorite memory as a volunteer, Karen highlighted these three weeks she spent camping, interacting with children, and navigating language barriers in Russia. “Making those connections with kids so far away, it was done with cranes. Cranes unite us.”
Why Whooping Cranes?
A popular question for craniacs alike is “What do cranes mean to you, and why do you care about them?” Our volunteers shared similar sentiments of wanting to make a difference for Whooping Cranes, no matter how big or small. Doug shared, “[Whooping Cranes] are awesome to see on the landscape, and again there are so few of them that we have to [care]. I try to help them as much as I can so they survive. I just want to make a small difference in my life. By doing this, I think I have over the years. I hope I have.”
To Margaret, “Cranes are magical. From a visual standpoint, they are just so elegant. They dance; they mate for life. I guess what grabs me is how special and unique they are.” It is clear from hearing these volunteers’ stories that their passion and dedication transform our efforts to conserve cranes. We are so grateful to have such devoted volunteers supporting our mission to build a better tomorrow for Whooping Cranes.
Pledge to Protect Whooping Cranes
Story by Olivia Burkholz, Outreach Program Assistant
