From the President 

As the weather turns cooler, I’m reminded of the wonders of the Fall migration. Millions of migratory birds return to their wintering grounds in the south and stop along the Central Platte River Valley. Many birds stop only for a day or two during the Fall migration so it’s important to keep a careful watch out for a quick glimpse of these migratory birds. We have been fortunate to hear many Sandhill Cranes in recent weeks.  

You might notice a new look for the Prairie Pulse Newsletter. Over the last several months we have been working to update our database system that allows us to better communicate with our supporters and subscribers. Below you will find several updates from a busy summer and fall at the Crane Trust. 

Many thanks for your continued interest and support of the Crane Trust. Our work is not possible without our donors and members. 

With continued gratitude, 

Brice Krohn
President

Recent Land Acquisition 

With the support of Ducks Unlimited, dedicated donors, and specifically Doug Frey, the Crane Trust has acquired an additional 159 acres of relic prairie on the northeast corner of our already protected habitat. This acquisition expands our lowland tallgrass prairies along the braided channels of the Platte River.

Our Science and Land Management Teams will begin removing woody overgrowth to enhance the overall use of this habitat by migratory birds. This work will allow opportunities for the native vegetation to compete without being shaded out by trees. We have new opportunities with this addition to expand our herd of American Bison in this area in the future. In time this property will evolve as suitable habitat for Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes once again! To view photos of this new property, click here.    

Shop the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and it's time to find the perfect gift for the nature lovers in your life. The Nature & Visitor Center Gift Shop is full of unique Crane Trust apparel and specialty gifts. Our featured artists in the Hornady Art Gallery have recently stocked their one-of-a-kind art pieces featuring the beauty of the Platte River Valley. 

The Nature & Visitor Center remains open through the holiday season Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You can also check out our online gift shop by clicking here. 

All gift purchases support the continued outreach efforts of the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center.  

Showcasing Our Interns & Fellows

The Crane Trust is fortunate to have a hardworking team of fellows and volunteers that assist with a variety of projects throughout the year. Recently, our interns and fellows hosted a virtual event to showcase the work they have done over the course of the summer. Their activities included several important surveys of moths, avians, anurans (frogs and toads), vegetation, small mammals, and fish. If you missed this virtual event, you can watch a recording by clicking here. 

We are grateful for their passion and enthusiasm as they accomplish important work during their time at the Crane Trust.