(Photo courtesy Abby Jensen and Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition)
It is Colorado Sandhill Crane Week, March 1-8, as officially designated by both Moffat and Routt counties. Here is the official proclamation:
STATE OF COLORADO
COUNTIES OF ROUTT AND MOFFAT
GREATER SANDHILL CRANE WEEK 2023 PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Greater Sandhill Cranes are an iconic species that breed and raise their young in Routt and Moffat Counties as well as stage here in the fall
WHEREAS, Greater Sandhill Cranes are large, ancient birds dating back 2.5 million years and are famous for their elaborate dancing and loud bugling calls
WHEREAS, Greater Sandhill Cranes mate for life, show strong commitment to family, and can live for more than 20 years in the wild
WHEREAS, Greater Sandhill Cranes are classified as a Tier 1 Species of Concern in the State of Colorado
WHEREAS, Greater Sandhill Cranes are wetland dependent and are an ambassador species for wetland habitat and all the wetland creatures found in Routt and Moffat Counties
WHEREAS, Greater Sandhill Cranes from throughout the Rocky Mountain Range stage in Routt and Moffat Counties during the late summer and early fall and are the star of the annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival that brings in hundreds of visitors to our area
WHEREAS, Greater Sandhill Cranes return in early March to Routt and Moffat Counties from their wintering grounds in Arizona and New Mexico
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Routt and Moffat Counties, Colorado that March 1-8, 2023, be designated as Greater Sandhill Crane Week, and urge citizens to welcome the cranes back and to protect crane habitat throughout the Yampa Valley.
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ROUTT COUNTY, COLORADO AND MOFFAT COUNTY, COLORADO
In honor of Greater Sandhill Crane Week, Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, Inc. (CCCC) is initiating some exciting crane-related events that will take place during the month of March and beyond. Please see our website for all information: www.coloradocranes.org.
CRANE-INSIRED CREATIVE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
CCCC will be awarding $10,000 in scholarship money to the winners of the Crane-inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest. High school seniors in Routt and Moffat counties are invited to submit an original piece of written art or visual art inspired by the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes. The work must be original and accurately reflect the characteristics, behavior and habitat of the Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes.
The 2023 contest offers TWO categories of art:
- Category 1: Written Arts. A nonfictional essay or fictional story of 750-1500 words or a group of three poems.
- Category 2: Visual Arts. A painting, sketch, photograph or digital art.
The First-Place winner in each category will receive a $3,000 scholarship. The Second-Place winner in each category will receive a $1,500 scholarship. An Honorable Mention winner from either category will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Entries must be submitted by March 25, 2023 to info@coloradocranes.org. Winners will be announced in May. All entries will be displayed at The Depot in Steamboat Springs during the month of April. Complete contest rules can be found at:
https://coloradocranes.org/creative-arts-scholarship-contest/
FIRST CRANE SIGHTING OF THE SEASON CONTEST
Be the first to spot a Greater Sandhill Crane in your area of the Yampa Valley! Document your sighting with a photo or video and send it to info@coloradocranes.org.
Be sure to include your name and mailing address, plus the date, time and location of the sighting. A prize will be awarded to each individual with the photo or video of the earliest sighting in West Routt, North Routt, South Routt, Steamboat Springs, Craig and West Moffat. A grand prize will be given for the overall earliest sighting in the entire Yampa Valley. In early April, the winners will be announced and winning photos and videos will be posted at coloradocranes.org.
CRANE COLORING CONTEST
The annual Crane Coloring Contest begins March 1. All kids ages 3-18 are eligible to participate. The coloring page will be available at the Bud Werner Children’s library, Oak Creek Library, Hayden Library, and Moffat County Library. It can also be downloaded from the CCCC website. Kids can color, paint and decorate the drawing and return it to one of the libraries by August 15, 2023. Completed pictures can also be mailed to:
CCCC Coloring Contest, 40625 County Road 69A, Hayden, CO 81639
Winners will be notified in late August and awards will be given out at a special ceremony at the Bud Werner Memorial Library during the Yampa Valley Crane Festival. Lyon’s Drug is generously providing prizes for the coloring contest. All contest entries will be displayed at the library throughout the four days of the festival, August 31-September 3.
CRANE PHOTO CONTEST
March is a great time to photograph the cranes as they are returning from their winter home and preparing to nest. Photos of Greater Sandhill Cranes, taken between September 2022 and August 15, 2023, can be submitted to the contest in four categories:
- Yampa Valley Greater Sandhill Cranes – Amateur Division
- Yampa Valley Greater Sandhill Cranes – Professional Division
- Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes – Locations outside the Yampa Valley
(open to both Amateur and Professional)
- Altered Reality images of Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes – Locations
both within and outside the Yampa Valley (open to Amateur and Professional)
Prizes will be awarded in all four categories at the Yampa Valley Crane Festival in September. Complete contest information and rules can be found at: https://coloradocranes.org/photo-contest/
Greater Sandhill Cranes remain a Tier 1 Species of Concern in Colorado. By participating in these crane-related activities, you are helping to ensure that these beautiful, ancient birds continue to inhabit our landscape for generations to come.