From the frontlines of crane conservation, George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, offers a glimpse into the world of preserving avian majesty.

The Department of Geographical Sciences recently hosted a seminar featuring George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The event, held on March 15 at the River Road labs, allowed Archibald to discuss his commitment to saving crane species from extinction across various cultural and political landscapes.

Archibald, renowned for his dedicated work in crane conservation, offered insights into his journey, from establishing the foundation to successfully recovering crane populations worldwide.

During the seminar, Archibald referenced Aldo Leopold, the father of wildlife ecology, who suggested that our appreciation for nature evolves from merely perceiving its beauty to understanding its deeper qualities. In Leopold's words, "Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through the successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language." Archibald emphasized that the essence of cranes lies within this higher gamut, transcending mere words to evoke profound emotions and values.

With a specific focus on the crane, a bird species with only 15 remaining wild varieties globally, Archibald highlighted his organizations’ achievements, notably in reviving populations like the whooping crane of North America. 

The conservationist presented case studies illustrating the spatial dynamics of crane habitats worldwide. He emphasized the intricate linkages between various land uses, such as agriculture and land conversion, and their impact on crane populations.

One of Archibald's notable successes includes conservation efforts for the whooping crane, where innovative breeding and imprinting techniques led to the re-introduction of a migratory flock between Wisconsin and Florida.

However, efforts to protect the last pairs of Siberian cranes migrating between Russia and India, and Russia and Iran, were hindered by illicit bird hunting in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, as well as regional weaponization stemming from wars. Archibald also detailed his efforts to conserve white-napped cranes along the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

Highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of crane conservation, Archibald underscored the importance of collaboration across fields such as avian biology, socio-economics, and public health.

Despite the International Crane Foundation's (ICF) extensive work and partnerships worldwide, cranes still face significant challenges. Avian influenza outbreaks caused the deaths of 40,000 cranes in Romania last year and resulted in 8,000 crane deaths in Israel in 2022.

The conversion of wetlands and grasslands, vital crane habitats, poses a severe threat to many crane populations, especially endangered species. At 77, Archibald remains enthusiastic and committed to continuing his crane conservation efforts.

A distinguished scholar with a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University,  Archibald's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Canada and the Dan W. Lufkin Prize for Environmental Leadership from the National Audubon Society.

The seminar provided a unique opportunity for students and faculty to gain valuable insights from Archibald's dedication to preserving these avian species.

Main image: Sandhill Crane in flight in the rain over a cornfield near Grand Island, Nebraska. Photo by Diana Robinson on Flickr.