Department of Crane-Land Security Aral Sea Activity Index

<< Sandhill Cranes in flight. Photo courtesy of James L. Amos

Fly with the cranes! Join the Department of Crane-Land Security and learn how to protect cranes in the wild as they migrate.

You have just joined the Department of Crane-Land Security. Your mission is to join the security advance team for the sandhill crane migration. Where will the cranes go? How will you protect them? Will they be safe and have what they need during their travels? Your job is to learn about the locations these cranes visit and what you need to do to ensure a safe journey when you fly with them. We're counting on you!

Did you know that cranes are a lot like people? You'll be surprised at how much they interact with each other—brothers and sisters play and fight, parents scold, and they travel together as a family. See what you can find out about cranes, because you'll have your work cut out for you on this assignment!

Learn About It
In preparation for this assignment, you’ll need to find out all you can about your "protectees," the sandhill cranes. Use the interactive Crane-Land Security Profiler to create a profile on these birds with such humanlike personalities that they dance, show off, and even "get married."

Crane-Land Security also has some great inside sources on the sandhill crane—including surveillance video! Learn more about your cranes' characteristics, habitat, and behavior, and the threats they face, by visiting National Geographic magazine's Crane Cam feature.

Investigate Nebraska’s Platte River Valley as a refuge for your charges. Will Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary make a good safe haven? Study the videos available on the Crane Cam site to learn about four specific habitat needs of sandhill cranes—food, water, shelter, and space—and how the Platte River supplies them all.

While in this assignment you'll be working to make the sandhill cranes safer, you should know that they are only one of fifteen species of cranes in the world. And although they share a rich history with humans, many of these crane species are endangered, often because of habitat loss. Take note that your Crane-Land Security Profiler can also be used to investigate other species of crane in the International Crane Foundation's Species Field Guide. Who knows where your next assignment will be!

Think About It
The Big Bend region of the Platte River is a perfect "staging area," or resting place, for cranes as they travel north in the spring to their breeding grounds. Where else will you go with your crane family? Look at this map that shows the various areas sandhill cranes use for their habitat needs, both on their migration and during wintering and breeding times. Now print out this Xpeditions map of the United States, find your state, and mark the location of your hometown on your printed map. Compare your location to the cranes' habitat areas, and draw these on the Xpeditions map. Are any of these areas near you?

Find the spot closest to your home that cranes could stop along their migratory route—this might be several hundred miles away—and explain what makes it a good location for cranes. You'll need to consider the four elements of habitat (food, water, shelter, and space). Check out this Crane Cam video for a review of what these cranes need. Is there a location near you that could be suitable for these and other animals?

Next, do some research to find out where there are wildlife refuges already in your state or a state close to the cranes' path, and what other animals use this area. Use this U.S. Fish & Wildlife refuge locator to find your information.

Once you've located an area and determined why areas like this are important…

Do Something About It

Younger Xpeditioners: Using this interactive printing press, create a flyer educating residents of your selected location about the area's value as a good habitat for migrating birds. Be sure to include information about the four aspects of habitat (food, water, shelter, and space), why this is a safe place for your protectees, and why it should be maintained. Remember: Crane-Land Security is depending on you!

Older Xpeditioners: Write a briefing memo to your boss at Crane-Land Security explaining why your selected area should be used as a crane sanctuary "safe house." Remember to provide specific reasons why this location makes a good spot, and convince your boss that it should remain or become a protected area. Use this sample memo to get a sense of how your memo should convey your message. Make your argument brief, but clear and to the point.

Parents: Talk with your children about the importance of land conservation and animal habitats. Discuss the possibility of writing a letter to a member of Congress in support of environmental protection. Spend some time on the National Audubon Society's Take Action and the National Wildlife Federation's Act for Wildlife pages to learn about other issues affecting animal habitats, and what you can do to affect the outcome of some of the current debates. Use this online Letter Generator with your child to help him or her write a letter encouraging conservation efforts.

To provide your family with a more immediate and hands-on experience in conserving or improving animal habitats, visit the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat pages and consider constructing a backyard habitat as a family project.