Mission:
To conserve cranes and the wetland and grassland communities on which they depend; to provide experience, knowledge, and inspiration to involve people to resolve threats to these ecosystems.

About the Organization:
ICF co-founders, Ron Sauey and George Archibald met in 1971 in a graduate program at Cornell University's Laboratory for Ornithology. Today ICF carries on a wide range of education and conservation activities for the countries on the five continents where cranes live. At its headquarters, it keeps cranes for breeding and reintroduction into the wild, and offers the only place in the world where visitors can see all fifteen species of cranes, including whooping cranes. Eleven of the fifteen species are considered vulnerable to extinction; in fact, cranes are the most endangered species of birds in the world. ICF supports habitat protection and restoration, by making its facilities and bird collection available to scientists, by sponsoring workshops and publications, and by fostering a network among conservationists, biologists, and managers around the world. The foundation has thirty-seven staff members. Its Ron Sauey Memorial Library for Bird Conservation serves as a global clearinghouse for crane information.

Current Programs:
Education is an important component of ICF's efforts to preserve cranes. Families, groups, and schools from Wisconsin and neighboring states can visit the nature center and conservation facilities, as well as benefit from outreach programs. ICF communicates its message to the national audience through outreach programs, educational materials and films, and national media coverage. Internationally, it trains and offers expertise in habitat management, restoration, ecology, captive management and propagation to colleagues in many countries, and hosts visiting delegations from other conservation centers in the United States and abroad. With its focus on cranes, ICF addresses endangered species management, wetland ecology, habitat restoration, and the need for international cooperation. Its programs stress the interdependence of wildlife with their habitat, and the relationships that exist among wildlife, habitat, and people.

Web site:
The highlight of the ICF Web site is a section with profiles of each of the fifteen species of cranes, including a photo and an annotated bibliography. Another section is devoted to whooping crane migration, and there is an extensive database to peruse. The site has a "CyBird Store" that sells memberships and crane-related books, jewelry, and other items.

Funding:
The International Crane Foundation is funded by membership dues, foundation support, government grants, corporations, and tour and admission fees. Grants for overseas projects come primarily from foundations and individuals.