NEWS
RELEASE
February 21, 2013
Jeff Oates, Crane Trust
/ 402-469-3436 (cell)
Cynthia Duff / Artist,
Painter, Sculptor / 970-985-0812 (cell)
Crane Trust Speaker and Event Series Kicks Off
March 2 with Nationally Acclaimed Artist
Wood River, Neb–The Crane
Trust’s Wild About Nebraska speaker and
event series gets underway Saturday, March 2, with an inspired afternoon with nationally
acclaimed artist Cynthia Duff. The live painting, book signing and observation
session will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center,
giving visitors a rare opportunity to ask questions and interact with the
artist as she gives form to her latest creation.
The month-long Wild About Nebraska speaker and event
series is a public celebration of Nebraska’s Great Sandhill Crane Migration, says
Crane Trust spokesman Jeff Oates, as more than 500,000 sandhill cranes descend
on a narrow stretch of the Platte River in south central Nebraska every spring,
before continuing on to their breeding grounds in the north.
“We’re particularly
excited this year to host what’s shaping up to be our greatest variety of
outstanding speakers and presentations yet for the month-long event,” says
Oates. “When people talk about the ‘arts and sciences’, they’ll find them both in
full bloom this March at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center.”
With something planned for
every weekend in March, this year’s event will feature photographers like renowned
Sports Illustrated photographer Bill Frakes and Nebraska’s own Rick Rasmussen
and Jorn Olsen; author and outdoor writer Jeff Kurrus; and raptor recovery
expert Blake Hatfield. A special presentation by The Jane Goodall Institute’s videographer
Bill Wallauer is also in the works.
“On the science and
research side, the Crane Trust is thrilled to host a truly world-class gathering
of experts on North America’s cranes,” says Oates. “Many will be featured March
23-24, including Dr. Barry Hartup, International Crane Federation veterinarian
who has worked with whooping cranes in the wild and in captivity for over a
decade.” Dr. Wade Harrell, newly appointed Whooping Crane Recovery Coordinator
with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey wildlife biologist
Dr. Aaron Pearse, and the Crane Trust’s own Dr. Mary Harner and Greg Wright will
also speak.
Perennial favorite and
renowned avian ecologist and author Dr. Paul Johnsgard will also be on-hand this
year, as will Dr. George Happ, co-author of the Sandhill Crane Display Dictionary
and Emeritus Professor of Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
“This is a once-a-year
opportunity for crane experts from around the world and the general public to
get together to renew acquaintances, exchange ideas, and share their knowledge
and passion for these magnificent birds,” said Oates. “For many of our
speakers, this is also a chance for them to climb into a blind on the river and
enjoy the migration themselves. As their schedules settle down, we’ll be
posting updates and speaker times on our website at NebraskaNature.org.”
All events and
presentations are open to the public and will be held at the Crane Trust Nature
& Visitor Center near Wood River in south central Nebraska, I-80 Alda Exit
305. Guided crane tours for the public can also be reserved online at
NebraskaNature.org or by calling (308) 382-1820.
Established in 1978, the
Crane Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and maintenance
of critical habitat for cranes and other migratory birds along the Platte River
through science, habitat management, community outreach, and education.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Digital
photos of Cynthia Duff and her artwork are available. Please contact Jeff Oates
or Karen Krull Robart.
Crane
Trust Nature & Visitor Center / 9325 S Alda Road / Wood River, NE 68883
www.NebraskaNature.org
