International Crane Foundation Advocates for Crane Protection to Celebrate World Wildlife Day

In celebration of World Wildlife Day today, the International Crane Foundation is advocating for the protection of cranes and their habitats in Africa, including supporting conservation efforts and promoting sustainable land use. The theme for 2025 is “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and the Planet.”

Celebrating the Protection of Wetlands and Cranes on World Wetlands Day

Join us in celebrating World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 – Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future!

International Crane Foundation Registers Carbon Offsetting Project for 90,000 Hectares

Aug. 13, 2024 (South Africa) – As part of the long-term commitment to protect threatened grassland and wetland crane habitat in the Drakensberg region of South Africa, the International Crane Foundation – in partnership with Endangered Wildlife Trust – announces registration in one of only six registered carbon offsetting projects in the world using Voluntary Carbon Market Methodology – and covering the widest geographical footprint in the country.

In the News – July 2024

Resident Blue Cranes Raise Newly Hatched Sandhill Crane Chick

CONTACT: Ryan Michalesko, Communications & Advocacy Specialist, 608-356-9462 ext. 113

Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment in South Africa Expanded

The grasslands in the Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment are home to Blue Cranes and the endangered Grey Crowned Cranes that utilize the region’s wetlands. The Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment was first established on April 7, 2017, covering 14,305 hectares and made up of 66 properties in the area between Dullstroom and eMakhazeni (formally known as Belfast) in northeastern South Africa. Our partners, The Endangered Wildlife Trust, with BirdLife South Africa, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, and the Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment Landowners Association, completed the necessary processes, including thorough field assessments and meetings with landowners, to expand the protected area by 7,448 hectares with 32 additional properties. The expansion was formally proclaimed on September 1, 2023, and published in the Mpumalanga Provincial Gazette Number 3569.

Blue Crane Aerial Surveys in the Western Cape and Karoo in South Africa

The Western Cape aerial survey team from left to right: Pilot Mark Rule, Highland Grassland Field Officer Bradley Gibbons, Western Cape Field Officer/Leiden Conservation Graduate Fellow Christie Craig and Resource Extension Officer Pieter Botha

What Does Permaculture Have To Do With Cranes?

Cranetivities – Blue Cranes

Welcome back to another fun edition of Cranetivities! You can access all editions of Cranetivities here. In this week’s post, we focus on South Africa’s national bird. Behold the beauty of the Blue Crane!