WHERE BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER
October 3, 2025 • International Crane Foundation • Baraboo, WI • 7:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
DETAILS
Fly away for the day to the International Crane Foundation (ICF), Friday, October 3. Member-only registration opens August 1, so watch your email for details!
On-point small-animal lectures featuring veterinarian experts and a schedule full of six scientific CE credits you can put to work right away.
Interactive experiences include Crane Center tours, birdwatching walks, prairie restoration hikes, veterinary clinic visits, egg incubation sessions, and more.
A breathtaking location and a full flock of fellow veterinarians ready to connect.
SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m. Check In & Breakfast (all attendees)
8:30 a.m. Welcome Session (all attendees)
10:00 a.m.
Cohort A: Small Animal Lecture 1 or 2
Cohort B: Interactive Experience
11:30 a.m.
Cohort B: Small Animal Lecture 1 or 2
Cohort A: Interactive Experience
12:30 p.m. Lunch (all attendees)
1:45 p.m.
Cohort A: Small Animal Lecture 3 or 4
Cohort B: Interactive Experience
3:15 p.m.
Cohort B: Small Animal Lecture 3 or 4
Cohort A: Interactive Experience
4:15 p.m. Event Ends
Attend two of the five interactive experiences and two of the four lectures. Capacity is limited, so sign up right away to give yourself a better chance of getting your first and second choices of experiences.
Participants will be divided into two cohorts for a portion of the day and switch between lectures and experiences.
See the July Voice cover story for more exciting details!
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES
Choose two of the five experiences. (Everyone will attend the Prepare for Takeoff welcome session.)
The story of the International Crane Foundation began in 1971 at Cornell University with two students who shared a passion for cranes. Today, ICF’s impact reaches across the globe. Our staff of about 150 includes associates, conservationists, aviculturists, and veterinarians, working with a network of hundreds of specialists in over 50 countries on five continents. Get to know who we are, where we’re going, and why and how we do what we do in this welcome session presented by Dr. Diana Boon, Director of Conservation Medicine.
Go behind the scenes of ICF’s veterinary clinic and connect with the top doc and dedicated staff responsible for the medical care of every crane on campus. Just a few steps away, aviculturists will discuss egg incubation and hatching for the Whooping Crane Reintroduction Program, and biologists will share how wild cranes are caught and monitored.
Explore the beauty and history of ICF’s awe-inspiring acres. Learn about the continued efforts to restore native vegetation, the process of prairie restoration, and how a farmstead was transformed into the scenic terrain you see today. Andy will discuss practical prairie plant information, lessons learned along the way, and restoration projects planned for the future.
It’s the crane tour of all crane tours. Join your flock for an educational walk with your friendly ICF guide and get to know the world’s 15 magnificent crane species. Discover the unique biology, anatomy, care tactics, threats, and conservation methods for each species. And learn about complex behaviors, the practice of costume-rearing crane chicks, and stories about ICF’s global impact.
Take a deep dive with aviculturists to hear the captivating stories of two majestic birds from two different parts of the planet. First up, the Whooping Crane’s journey from the brink of extinction. Learn about the biologic implications of a genetic bottleneck and explore ICF’s groundbreaking conservation techniques, including imprinting and isolation rearing. From there, it’s off to Africa for a look into the vulnerable lives and conservation of the Wattled Crane. We’ll explore the ecological roles Wattleds play across diverse landscapes—from wetlands and savannas to grasslands.
Cranes aren’t the only winged residents around here. Enjoy the fall migration and discover an array of bird species as you hike the scenic trails winding through restored prairie, wetlands, and woodlands. Ryan will provide trail walkers with a unique glimpse into the biodiversity supported by ICF’s conservation and land restoration efforts.
LOCATION
International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, WI
ICF Welcome Center E11376 Shady Lane Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913
Parking and Entry: Flight School attendees can park in the field directly across from the exit gate. Just look for the friendly parking attendants. From there, enter at the front gate and walk to the Welcome Center to register at the WVMA table.
A huge thanks to our amazing partners:
