Conservationists Fight to Protect Endangered Species

Photo: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Sandhill cranes are one of Wayne county’s largest species of birds in Ohio. These birds have continued to breed and migrate back to the county since 1985. They are one the oldest species of birds and have been alive for over 2 million years.

 

However, the number of sandhill cranes decreased for many years causing them to become another animal on the endangered species list. 

 

They migrate all through Ohio and reside in multiple counties alongside Wayne, like Geauga, Trumbull, Holmes and Ashland.

 

Laura Kearns, wildlife biologist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, says the sandhill cranes species is important for Ohio as a part of the food chain.

 

“This species plays a large role in the wetlands especially in Ohio’s wildlife areas,” Kearns says.

 

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, their 2022 report indicates there are over 300 birds still remaining in the state. Volunteers across the state help conduct the count of sandhill cranes with Ohio’s wildlife resources like the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the International Crane Foundation and the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative.

 

Each of these programs research the breeding and migration of the sandhills cranes and use funding to conserve the wildlife habitats.

 

Sandhill cranes numbers have been emaciated due to the reduction in their habitats in Ohio. The effect landowners and humans have on this species is crucial to their survival and cause of endangerment. This species utilizes wetlands and grasslands as their habitats which the state is having difficulty maintaining these lands.

 

According to “The Nature Conservancy”, only about 5-10 percent of wetlands remain in Ohio due to the rise in land development and climate change. 

 

The Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative has different projects focused on ways to preserve the livelihood of the birds in Ohio.

 

One of their projects is the “All-Bird Conservation Plan,” which ensures that at-risk species are prioritized and identifies research to sustain the populations throughout the state.

 

In chapter 2 of the “Waterbird Plan,” members of the Conservation Planning and Research Committee members write about the ideas that will help preserve the different species of waterbirds. 

 

“This will ultimately provide conservationists guidance in effectively increasing landscape carrying capacity through the protection, restoration, and enhancement of waterbird habitats. We have summarized where, what, when and how much habitat is needed to increase and sustain populations of priority waterbird species at target levels,” says the committee’s authors for the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative. 

 

The preservation of the sandhill crane is important for Ohio’s natural landscape and it is highly encouraged by these organizations to report any sightings of the species. With websites like eBird and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources wildlife reporting, citizens are able to submit and document any information found on sandhill cranes and other animals.

 

These findings are used to help researchers determine the birds migration patterns, breeding habits and total amount of the species.

 

The sandhill crane species is one of the longest living birds that have bred in Ohio’s wetlands since the 1980’s. Although they are now considered an endangered species, Ohio’s conservationists and wildlife programs are working to maintain a protective habitat for the birds to continue living in the state.