By Mandy Crane // Photography by Linda M. Swope
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If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to share a name with one of nature’s most majestic creatures, I can tell you — it comes with some strange assumptions. My name is Mandy Crane, no relation to the feathered kind, but my lifelong association with these birds has certainly connected me to them. Seeing huge flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying overhead and hearing their prehistoric calls made me fall in love with them.
As the outreach and events coordinator for the Teton Regional Land Trust, I organize the Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival and love bringing the community together to celebrate cranes and art.
Since 2003, Teton Regional Land Trust (TRLT) and its partners and volunteers have been monitoring Sandhill Cranes during their pre-migration staging and gathering important data about their populations and habitat use. Every September and October, Sandhill Cranes from across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem gather in Teton Valley to build their energy reserves before embarking on their long journey to wintering grounds in the southern United States and Mexico. Research shows these birds depend on harvested grain fields for fuel, and these fields need to be located within 2 miles of wetland night roosts. Teton Valley, Idaho, meets both criteria, making it an essential stopover for the largest pre-migration staging population in the region.
To help sustain these incredible birds, the TRLT launched the Greater Yellowstone Sandhill Crane Initiative. This initiative works to protect and enhance critical habitat by securing land for grain production and collaborating with willing landowners to establish food plots. The Grain for Cranes program ensures that 50 to 60 acres of grain are grown each year specifically to support these migrating birds, helping them gain the strength they need for their journey south.
Beyond habitat conservation, the initiative also focuses on community education, engagement, and viewing opportunities.
Founded in 2018, the Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival raises funds for crane conservation, while also building a sense of shared responsibility for their protection. By bringing together conservationists, scientists, artists, and community members, the festival strengthens public awareness and participation in preserving critical crane habitats. But the festival’s purpose extends far beyond just birdwatching — it plays a crucial role in raising funds for habitat protection and crane monitoring efforts, ensuring these birds have a future in the Greater Yellowstone region.
Though the activities vary from year to year, the Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival offers something for everyone. Crane tours allow participants to observe these 4-foot-tall birds from a safe distance while watching them dip, bow, and flap their wings in an entrancing dance. Films and speakers help festivalgoers learn about new research, crane behavior, and threats to their habitat and migration routes. The big Saturday celebration brings together the entire community to honor these iconic birds with music, dance, and art.
Following a tradition of worldwide crane festivals, the Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival seeks to incorporate artistic components. From artist workshops to the festival poster contest, art show, auction, and crane-inspired dance performances, the beauty of cranes is best expressed through these various mediums, which serve as a means to further connect people with cranes.
The 8th Annual Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival will be held September 17-20 in Teton Valley, Idaho, with viewing tours held each morning. Linda Swope, a professional photographer, will host a crane photography workshop and tour. Local artist Sue Tyler will teach a crane-themed paint-and-sip class. The festival culminates with a big celebration held at Grand Teton Brewing on Saturday, with live music, dancing, food, drink, and a crane sculpture and art auction — all to celebrate the valley’s migrating Sandhill Cranes. (Be on the lookout for a special Grand Teton Brewing beer can featuring the festival poster art.) The proceeds from these events directly fund conservation programs, ensuring that every festival ticket, art sale, and donation contributes to real-world efforts to protect Sandhill Cranes and their habitat.
I am honored to share a name with the majestic birds that pass through the valley each year, and I am so happy to celebrate them at our annual festival. If you have a love for wildlife (or just a fitting last name like mine), come join us at this year’s Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival. It’s a one-of-a-kind celebration that brings people together, raises crucial funds, and builds lasting community support for one of nature’s most extraordinary travelers.
8th Annual Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival Event Schedule
- Wednesday, September 17, 7 – 9 a.m., Morning Crane Tour, TRLT office
- Wednesday, September 17, 5:30 – 8 p.m., Paint and Sip with Sue Tyler, Highpoint Cider
- Thursday, September 18, 7 – 9 a.m., Morning Crane Tour, TRLT office
- Friday, September 19, 7 – 9 a.m., Morning Crane Tour, TRLT office
- Friday, September 19, 5 – 8:30 p.m., Photography Workshop with Linda Swope
- Saturday, September 20, 7 – 9 a.m., Morning Crane Tour, TRLT office
- Saturday, September 20, 4 – 7 p.m., Community Crane Celebration at Grand Teton Brewing
