International Crane Foundation

Located in rural Wisconsin, the award-winning and internationally recognized International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend. The ICF’s world headquarters hosts a captive flock of approximately 120 cranes, including the only global collection of all 15 species assembled. The ICF is one of several wildlife conservation organizations for which CLR provided design services.

Founded in 1973, the ICF last updated its Master Plan with CLR in 2005. During the intervening decade that 10-year-plan guided the ICF through the building of numerous naturalistic habitats along with upgrades to existing habitats, visitor paths, and interpretive elements. With a goal of doubling their attendance to inspire more individuals to become members and donors, the new Master Plan identified several areas in need of updating to provide a positive, educational, and inspiring message to ICF visitors. It is crafted to be flexible and will serve as a living document in the years to come.

In 2020 several elements of the Master Plan, including the new Visitor and Education Center and improvements to naturalistic exhibits with special attention to animal welfare, were completed.