REXBURG — This region of the country is best known for its beautiful scenery, sprawling farmland and its agriculture. For cranes and other birds, the Greater Yellowstone area serves as their staging area.
“Cranes are also unique in our area because Teton Valley is actually the largest staging area for the whole Greater Yellowstone population of cranes,” said Mandy Crane, the outreach and events coordinator for Teton Regional Land Trust. “Focusing on certain species actually helps you to protect a lot more habitat for other species.”
Returning for its sixth year, the goal of the Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival is to raise awareness and funds to protect the habitats of cranes and other birds in the area. The event begins today, September 20, and will go through Saturday. As part of the festivities people will have a chance to participate in several crane-themed activities.
Events and activities include the crane-themed Paint and Sip with Nicolette Maw tonight, a Morning Sandhill Crane Tour throughout the weekend, and live crane-themed storytelling with Valley Voices on Thursday, as well as a number of workshops, a keynote speaker and a community festival.
“My favorite is the big community celebration, along with the art market because that’s where it really brings the whole community together,” Crane said.
Some of the events, like the community celebration, are free, and others require tickets. Prices for those tickets range from $15 for the keynote speaker to $55 for the Paint and Sip.
To find out more about the 6th Annual Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival, and to see the full schedule of events visit www.tetonregionallandtrust.org.