Hoosiers for Whoopers: Youth Crane Birding Backpacks
Whooping Cranes in Gibson County, Indiana. Photo by Richard-Vernier
Every year, thousands of Sandhill Cranes and a small number of endangered Whooping Cranes spend the winter in Indiana. The state’s wetlands and wildlife areas provide essential migration stopovers and wintering habitat for both species. When these wetlands are healthy, cranes can safely rest and feed during migration. For this reason, the continued survival of both species depends on the positive stewardship of these habitats. As a leader in crane conservation, the International Crane Foundation is committed to engaging communities that have the potential to shape the future of endangered Whooping Crane conservation and the wetlands they depend on. An important part of this work is encouraging the next generation of Hoosiers to become stewards for cranes and all wildlife that call Indiana’s wetlands home.
A Birding Backpack and its contents displayed at the LaCrosse Public Library, including binoculars, Whooping Crane ID Guides, Sibley Bird Identification Guides, a birding checklist, a list of areas for birding, copies of the book “Quality of Cranes,” Whooping Crane stickers, and various crane-themed craft directions. Courtesy of LaCrosse Public Library and the International Crane Foundation.
With support of the Mumford and Keller grant award from Indiana Audubon, the International Crane Foundation distributed 18 “Birding Backpacks” throughout western and central Indiana to libraries, fish and wildlife areas, and nature centers. These backpacks are now available for local youth and families to check out at no cost. Designed for K-8 students, the Birding Backpacks provide the equipment needed to experience and appreciate cranes and other birds in their natural habitats, including binoculars and identification guides. The backpacks also include materials that encourage children to independently discover cranes after their bird watching adventure, such as stories about their cultural importance around the world and guides for crane-themed crafts.
The Birding Backpacks are an important part of the International Crane Foundation’s broader outreach efforts to connect people with cranes and the wetlands they depend on. By helping children experience cranes and other birds in their habitats firsthand, we hope to inspire curiosity, appreciation, and long-term stewardship among young Hoosiers.
Birding Backpack Locations:
- Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (Linton, IN)
- Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area (Pulaski County, IN)
- Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge (Seymour, IN)
- Cope Environmental Center (Centerville, IN)
- Eagle Creek Ornithology Center (Indianapolis, IN)
- Indiana Audubon Young Birders Network (Various locations, IN)
- Indianapolis Public Library System (Library of Things – Indianapolis, IN)
- Porter County Public Library System (Valparaiso, IN)
- North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library (North Judson, IN)
- Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library (Bloomfield, IN)
- LaCrosse Public Library (LaCrosse, IN)
- Pulaski County Public Library (Winamac, IN)
- Linton Public Library (Linton, IN)
- Parke County Public Library (Rockville, IN)
Story submitted by Angelica Solano, Ph.D., Outreach Biologist Assistant – Indiana, International Crane Foundation.
