Cranes’ Landing

Since 2016, Columbia Land Trusts has farmed our Cranes’ Landing site in the Vancouver Lake Lowlands specifically for the benefit of Washington-state endangered Sandhill cranes. Like many species, these migratory birds suffer from habitat loss, and this property is a vital stopover point on their annual long-distance journey along the Pacific Flyway. Each winter from October through April, cranes utilize this land for feeding, loafing, and resting, before travelling across the Columbia River to Sauvie Island, where they roost (or sleep) overnight. The Land Trust’s stewardship team closely monitors crane usage throughout the season, and it has been increasing year over year, with as many as 3,000 cranes visiting the site per day. 

In a unique example of land stewardship, our team farms about 400 acres, planting crops like corn, alfalfa, peas, barley, and sorghum. Our monitoring includes data on the farming plan, like the spacing of crop rows, what fields they land in first, how far into crops they walk, at what times of day they use crops versus wetlands, and finally why, when, and in which direction they depart. All these variables, plus food availability and weather, play a role in determining crane behavior, and inform the team’s future planning. Adaptive management on the fly has been essential to establishing baseline data about the behavior and needs of cranes in the region. 

To improve the habitat for cranes, we’ve replaced more than 5,000 feet of overhead powerlines with buried powerlines to prevent fatal bird strikes.  We’ve also constructed berms around the property planted with native plants to create a buffer for the cranes, which are easily startled by passing cars, people, and dogs. 

This habitat is also utilized by thousands of snow and Canada geese, raptors, coyotes, amphibians, pollinators, and Columbian white-tailed deer.  

The C.R.A.N.E. organization holds a conservation easement on this site.