Conserving Sandhill and Whooping Cranes
Sandhill Crane Conservation
The vast majority of North America’s Sandhill Cranes migrate through Kansas and Nebraska each spring and fall. Audubon leaders and members in Nebraska, Kansas and other states worked endlessly in the past half-century to protect critically important habitat and instream flows associated with the Platte River in Nebraska and wetland habitat in Kansas--including the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and the Cheyenne Bottoms Wetland complex. Addressing water flow needs into the Quivira Refuge is a current priority. AOK has and will continue to advocate for restoration of more ecologically-ethical hunting regulations in recognition of specific night-roosting shallow water habitat requirements and species behavior.
Whooping Crane Conservation
Kansas should do its part to help protect Whooping Cranes during their arduous migration through the state twice each year from their nesting grounds near the Wood Buffalo National Park in northwestern Canada and their wintering area associated with the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge along the Texas Gulf Coast, and provide for conservation and best management of vital habitat needed for resting and feeding during their migratory stops in the central Great Plains. Audubon of Kansas has provided expertise, leadership and advocacy in both critical areas of concern. AOK has also pushed for recommendations designed to enhance protection of Whooping Cranes during Sandhill Crane hunting seasons.