Cranes and cows – environment
United States:
Cranes and cows
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When you think of cranes on urban land, you usually think of yellow tower cranes signaling the newest high-rise building on the horizon. Several years ago I had the pleasure of representing the Columbia Land Trust (CLT) when they acquired approximately 500 acres of land within the city limits of Vancouver, Washington, near Vancouver Lake. CLT presented a different type of crane on the urban horizon. The concept for the land was to grow corn and similar crops, but leave the crops in place to feed the migratory sand hill cranes. CLT called the country “crane landing”. As hoped, the site has become a prime nesting and feeding area for the majestic migratory birds along with fellow travelers on the Pacific Flyway.
But not only cranes and migratory birds benefit from the operations at Cranes’ Landing thanks to innovative management. When the cranes arrive in late winter and early spring, they need open space and the corn and soybeans that they leave to forage. Without space, the birds cannot look for predators. Therefore, in part of the land, CLT also plants and harvests up to three annual harvests of alfalfa, oats and wheat, all of which go to a neighboring dairy farm for its cows. Because of the rapidly changing land use and crop preferences on farms near urban areas, local sources for this grain are scarce, making this a really welcome nearby source of fodder for the dairy. Once the grain is harvested, this part of the field gives the cranes the space they need, along with the corn and soybeans that lure them to Cranes’ Landing.
This seems like a great example of how wildlife and domestic animals, bird watchers and dairy farmers can benefit from a single urban open space. Check out this short video from the Columbia Land Trust to see and hear the birds arrive.
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