To be presented by Stanley A. Temple, Senior Fellow & Science Advisor of The Aldo Leopold Foundation. 

By 1937 when Aldo Leopold wrote his essay, Marshland Elegy, Sandhill Cranes had disappeared from most of their former range in the upper Midwest, and he anticipated their eventual disappearance from Wisconsin as well. Now, flocks of upwards of 10,000 birds converge on the stretch of the Wisconsin River near Aldo Leopold’s famous "Shack" each fall, and cranes have now reoccupied much of their former midwestern breeding range.

Why did Sandhill Cranes almost disappear from our region, and why has there been there been such an impressive resurgence in the crane population since Aldo Leopold worried about its impending extirpation 80 years ago? Professor Temple will review the remarkable recovery of our midwestern Sandhill Cranes, describe his research on their migratory behavior and discuss some recent controversies, such as crane hunting, that have attended their new status as an abundant bird.

Pre-program socializing at 7 p.m. Program begins at 7:15 p.m. For questions or directions, please call the Chicago Audubon office, 773-539-6793, or see the detailed map on our Contact Us page