Baraboo Crane Factory Celebrates Crane Safeguard Day with a New Look

BARABOO, Wisconsin – September 18 is Crane Conservation Day in Wisconsin, and a group of “craniacs” in Baraboo are celebrating birds today with a new look.

The International Saving Cranes Foundation was founded in 1973, and over the past 48 years employees and members have dedicated their time to preserving the fifteen species of cranes, eleven of which are endangered.

The foundation closed its doors in 2018 for a ten million dollar facelift, thanks to many donors. The additions made have allowed the Foundation to add wetlands to all of their crane enclosures, as well as update signage for visitors.

“One of the reasons we wanted to do the renovation was to make sure these cranes are so happy,” said Pamela Seelman, Marketing and Communications Coordinator.

The happiness and well-being of the cranes is a top priority at the facility, which is home to around 120 birds, according to COO Kim Smith.

“There isn’t a single crane here that doesn’t have our focus and hard work to make sure they’re there for future generations,” Smith said.

After three years of renovations and another year of pandemic, they finally reopened the crane exhibits, celebrating Wisconsin Crane Day and their new homes.

The cranes attract approximately 20,000 visitors per year during a typical season from May 1 to October 31. According to Anne Lacy, senior director of the facility’s North American Bird Program, it kind of helps them defend themselves.

“We use cranes as ambassadors,” Lacy said. “When you know something and you care about something, you care about where they live and why they live there”

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