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Frequently Asked Questions
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1. Why Are they Our Sandhill Cranes?
2. Are our Sandhill Cranes endangered?
3. Why do we need to save our Sandhill Cranes?
4. What are the most pressing current threats?
5. Where and when can I see our Sandhill Cranes?
6. Where can I find more information about our cranes?
7. What Can I do? |
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Why Are They Our Sandhill Cranes?
The Central Valley Sandhill Cranes do
not interact with crane populations east of the Sierras. As such, if we do not maintain their critical, local winter
habitat, and their numbers diminish, they will not be replenished by other populations. This is our local population--
the only one we get! |
Are our Sandhill Cranes endangered?
Our Greater Sandhill Crane was classified
as a State Threatened species as of 1984. The Lesser Sandhill Crane, though not similarly classified, is equally
threatened by changing land uses. |
Why do we need to save our Sandhill Cranes?
Our Sandhill Cranes winter over in the
Cosumnes floodplain and surrounding agricultural areas south of Sacramento. They have very specific habitat requirements.
They utilize freshly cut or flooded rice and corn fields for roosting and feeding. Planned land use changes in
their critical habitat zone threaten significant areas that fit this description. Further concentrations of the
cranes in the remaining viable habitat will likely tax the ease of food acquisition and roosting site identification.
Denser crane crowding could result in greater disease transmission. |
What are the most pressing current threats to our Sandhill
Cranes?
The two urban threats are the southward
expansion of Elk Grove and the westward expansion of GALT. The agricultural threat is predominately the shift from
rice and corn production to grape vineyards. Check this site for updates and specific actions. |
Where and when can I see Sandhill Cranes?
The best place to see our Sandhill Cranes
is at the Consumnes
River Preserve. They usually arrive in
late September and leave in March. It is truly an incredible wildlife spectacle to see their arrival and their
nightly return to roosting at the preserve. |
Where can I find more information about our cranes?
Check the research documents and links available on our website. Check this site often for critical updates.
Visit the websites in our links section. |
What Can I do?
Volunteer! Check this website at latest news frequently for pertinent updates and calendar. Show up
at critical city council meetings that will determine land use changes. Donate
to this cause. |
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