��������

The Research

The Aransas-Wood Buffalo population of whooping cranes (Grus Americana) is the last wild, naturally migratory flock of the species in the world. The coastal marshes of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) provide a crucial winter habitat for this species, which had a population low of only 16 birds in 1941 and is currently estimated to be 536 whooping cranes (95% CI = 443.5–644.1; CV = 0.199) (Stehn and Prieto 2011; US Fish and Wildlife 2023).

Whooping cranes, considered to be one of the rarest birds on the continent, are the tallest birds in North America. They stand 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall with a wingspan of 2.3 m (7.5 ft.). This migratory population inhabits the Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Canada during the summer. In the winter, it inhabits coastal marshes at the ANWR on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Since whooping cranes rely heavily on the complex estuarine habitat at the ANWR, understanding the impacts of environmental stressors on resources in these habitats is a high priority (Butzler 2006; Butzler and Davis 2006). The data collected through this study will be critical to helping conserve the whooping crane and the overall biodiversity of the ANWR. This research will also contribute to wildlife manager’s efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the ANWR ecosystem and to better understand and mitigate human-induced activities in the watershed.

Endangered Whooping Cranes on the Texas Coast

How You Will Help

You’ll try your hand at a variety of data collection methods. None of these tasks require any special background or talents; we will train you in all necessary skills. From complete novice to experienced naturalist, everyone can participate fully and help us record and interpret our findings. Your participation in these research tasks enables �������� researchers to visit more of their remote research sites and to collect additional, high-resolution data across the greater coastal range of the Whooping Crane.

ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENTS OF FOOD RESOURCES AND WATER QUALITY

You will help sample a wide range of tidal creeks, ponds, high marsh plateaus, bays, and uplands in key whooping crane territories at the ANWR. At set points along a transect line, you will collect data on vegetation, blue crabs, water salinity, depth, pH, and dissolved oxygen. You will learn to follow GPS readings and trail markings as you sample along transects.

WADING BIRD OBSERVATIONS

You’ll conduct whooping crane observations from boats. During observations, you will learn to identify specific whooping crane behaviors, including foraging, resting, comfort, and maintenance. Specific attention will be given to identifying individual whooping cranes with bird-specific bands on their legs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banded these birds, and their habitat selection/preferences can be “tracked” by �������� volunteers through repeated sightings and location documentation throughout the wintering period. We will report our findings to the US Fish and Wildlife Service to provide up-to-date information on crane locations and territory selection.

Endangered Whooping Cranes on the Texas Coast

Essential Eligibility Requirements

All participants must be able to:

• Enjoy being outdoors most of the day in variable weather conditions (cold and windy, rainy to warm and humid), in the potential presence of wild animals and biting insects.
• Tolerate a wide temperature range. Early mornings may begin with a light frost; midday conditions can bring higher temperatures and elevated coastal winds.
• Traverse slippery/muddy marshes, soft ground, surface water, underbrush, etc., for 3–4 hours over two miles daily.
• Carry personal daily supplies such as lunch, water, and some small field equipment.
• Repeatedly squat low enough to collect samples or record plant growth data.
• Sit on a small stool (~10 inches of ground) in a moving boat, conducting bird surveys for 3–4 hours.
• Sit upright in a 15-person van and 18-foot research boat on bumpy dirt roads and/or rough water conditions.
• The use of bush toilets may be required when visiting more remote field research sites.
• Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Take an active role in your safety by recognizing and avoiding hazards if and when they arise (including, but not limited to, those described in �������� materials and safety briefings). Always comply with project staff instructions and recommended safety measures.
• Be able to effectively communicate to the staff if you are experiencing distress or need assistance.
• Be able to get along with a variety of people from different backgrounds and ages, often in close proximity, for the duration of your team.

Endangered Whooping Cranes on the Texas Coast

Travel Planning

MEETING SPOT

Corpus Christi International Airport, Texas

Specific travel planning details will be provided in your �������� Expedition Logistics Document. This document can be found in your once you enroll. Please do not book travel arrangements—such as flights—until the Expedition Logistics Document matching the current year has been published to your portal account.

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

�������� strongly recommends that travelers investigate their destination before departure. Familiarity with the destination’s entry/exit requirements, visas, local laws, and customs can ensure smooth travel. and are helpful resources. For LGBTI travelers, the contains many useful tips and links.

COUNTRY AND PROJECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You are responsible for reviewing and abiding by your destination's entry/exit requirements. 

Entry visa requirements differ by country of origin, layover, and destination and do change unexpectedly. For this reason, please confirm your visa requirements at the time of booking and again 90 days before travel. Please apply early for your visa (we recommend starting six months before the start of your expedition). Refunds will not be made for volunteers who cancel due to not obtaining their visa in time to meet the team at the rendezvous. You can find up-to-date visa requirements at the following website:

If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency to expedite and simplify the process.

Endangered Whooping Cranes on the Texas Coast

Health and Safety

EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD

The project will have cell phones and two-way radios for communication among the team while conducting fieldwork.

Accommodations and vehicles all have first-aid kits. In the event of a medical emergency, the �������� scientists will administer first aid and, depending on the seriousness of the injury/condition, either take the volunteer to the hospital using one of the project vehicles (always available) or call emergency services by cell phone. If a volunteer must leave the expedition early for an emergency, the �������� scientists will determine the most appropriate form of transport to the airport (either one of the project vehicles or an ambulance)

Project staff members are not medical professionals.

�������� has a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week emergency hotline number. Someone is always on call to respond to messages that come into our live answering service.

All projects have detailed Emergency Response Plans; this will be shared with participants at the start of each team.

IMMUNIZATIONS & TRAVEL VACCINATIONS

Please be sure your routine immunizations are up to date and that you have the appropriate vaccinations for your travel destination. Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and their doctor. Visit the or the for guidance on immunizations. 

If traveling from countries or regions where yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of vaccination. 

It is strongly encouraged that you stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including receiving booster doses, as applicable.  

PROJECT RISKS AND CONDITIONS

Transportation

We will travel on public roads in a quiet area with few traffic issues, but risks inherent in road travel still apply. We’ll take some gravel roads, which are generally in good condition. Vehicles are maintained to Texas standards. All volunteers will have a seat belt and must use it whenever the vehicle is in motion. A roadside assistance service will be called if a vehicle breaks down.

We will also use boats to travel across open water to study sites. The vessel is large (18 ft.) and fully equipped with safety equipment (life jackets, flares, first-aid kit), navigation, and communication items. However, there is always the potential for the ride to become bumpy for some portion of the trip. During rougher conditions, sea spray can be present, which will get volunteers wet—a set of rain gear is required to avoid issues with cold temperatures.

Hiking

You will walk along transects, and the terrain will be uneven and soggy/mucky. You may take your time with any sections of challenging terrain. Take particular care to avoid stepping on any plants/animals that may be present; the �������� scientists will highlight this hazard and show how to walk with appropriate caution when introducing you to the field site.

Getting Lost

Staff will count team members frequently and caution you against going off alone. Please inform project staff if you need a moment away from the team. Volunteers will always work in groups of at least two. We will have cell phones, and reception is good in inland regions. The scientists take great care to know, at all times, which area each volunteer is working in so that lost volunteers can be located quickly and expediently by project staff.

Animals

In the introductory briefing, we will discuss appropriate responses to wildlife encounters. Do not approach or handle any wildlife. Though spotting dangerous animals such as alligators and venomous snakes is uncommon, always pay attention to your surroundings.

Ticks are present in Texas and can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Relapsing Fever, and other illnesses. Black flies and mosquitoes can cause irritation in the summer. Cover exposed skin and use a tick/insect repellant or a mosquito head net to avoid insect bites. If mosquitoes are bad, full mosquito clothing will be provided.

Personal Security

Texas is a generally safe region for travelers; however, do not leave valuables unattended in public areas.

Swimming

Although the accommodations are near tempting white-sand beaches, we do NOT permit swimming and other water sports during this expedition for safety reasons.

Distance from Medical Care

Due to the site's relative remoteness, it can take up to one hour to reach the nearest urgent care center. Those with severe or chronic conditions that may require immediate medical care (e.g., heart problems, severe allergies that can result in anaphylactic shock, etc.) should carefully consider their participation in this project and discuss with their doctors the implications of the hospital's distance from the project site.

Disease

Please see the Health Information section for immunization recommendations. Basic safety measures can prevent most diseases. For more information, please visit the CDC () or WHO () websites.

Diseases present in this region of the US include, but are not limited to, Lyme disease, rabies, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, pertussis, West Nile Fever, and traveler’s diarrhea.

Travelers Diarrhea

Traveler’s diarrhea affects 20–50% of all international travelers. Always wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before eating. You should also carry an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication in your personal first aid kit. Speak to your doctor about other options for treating traveler’s diarrhea.

Risk of COVID-19 or Other Respiratory Illness

�������� strongly encourages you to take precautions to help protect yourself and others from common viral respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV: stay up to date with your vaccinations; wash your hands frequently; take steps to improve air quality, for example, by increasing ventilation indoors or gathering outdoors; and use preventative measures to limit the spread if you are sick. 

Persons with a higher risk of severe respiratory illness should consult their healthcare provider before participating.

Endangered Whooping Cranes on the Texas Coast