Click here for last weeks Feature-- "Remembering August Derleth"
WCWCW Feature of the Week
This page will display either a selected web site from our users or a photo or other graphic display from our area
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or send to WCWCW 21401 Krypton Rd., Kendall,WI 54638
Enjoy our Community!
Nestled in the northern edge of the Baraboo Range, ICF has gained international acclaim as one of the world's leaders in the conservation of endangered species. While educating visitors to the plight of cranes and ICF's role in protecting them is important, we also use stories about our experiences to illustrate important points. These stories are poignant, humorous, and sometimes tragic. You may hear about "Wolf," an ancient Siberian crane that at age 84 was named the oldest living bird by the Guiness Book of World Records. You may also hear about "Tex," a female whooping crane that thought she was a human; she would only lay eggs if courted by our director.
The International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland and grasslands communities on which they depend. ICF is dedicated to providing experience, knowledge, and inspiration to involve people in resolving threats to these ecosystems.
Cranes are a family of birds that have long been revered by people living near them. In Japan, the cranes are honored as symbols of long life and a happy marriage. In Viet Nam, cranes are believed to carry the souls of the dead to heaven. In North America, Africa, and Australia, native inhabitants have incorporated the crane's graceful movements into their own dances and regard cranes as auspicious symbols.
Cranes have inhabited this earth for the last 34 to 50 million years. Although cranes enjoy a widespread existence (they live on five of the seven continents), many populations are declining due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting. Seven of the species are currently designated as endangered and four others have been proposed for listing.
It was against this backdrop that ICF was founded in 1973 to become the world's center for the study and preservation of cranes.
Cranes are a charismatic family of birds, and although widespread--they are found on five of the seven continents--are increasingly threatened by changing land use patterns, habitat destruction, and an ever-larger human population. Wherever cranes are found, however, people are captivated by their large size, great beauty, and graceful dances.
Among the people captivated by the beauty and mystique of cranes were two Cornell University graduate students, George Archibald and Ron Sauey, who met in 1971. Realizing that cranes were under intense pressure from the world's rapidly expanding human population, George and Ron established the International Crane Foundation in 1973. Located just north of Baraboo, Wisconsin, the foundation is dedicated to the study and preservation of cranes.
ICF is open daily (9 am to 5 pm) from May 1 to October 31. Reservations are not required for individuals and family groups
Very Special Thanks to the International Crane Foundation for the material for this Feature!
all pictures and text segements above copyright (C) ICF
Take a moment sometime and check out their wonderful, informative and extensive website by clicking below!
Mail: International
Crane Foundation, P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913-0447 USA
Tel: 608-356-9462 Fax: 608-356-9465
E-mail: Explorer@savingcranes.org
