Every month, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) hosts a Native Prairie Speaker Series Webinar about species at risk or prairie conservation. These live broadcasts can be watched from any location for free. Webinars are recorded and uploaded to the PCAP YouTube channel. The CFGA is pleased to be a presenting sponsor of the Native Prairie Speaker Series.

Date: March 4th, 2025 @ 12 pm CT

Speakers: Paityn Macko and Matti Bradshaw, International Crane Foundation

Talk Title: A Year in the Life of the Aransas- Wood Buffalo Whooping Cranes

About this Webinar:
Whooping Cranes are the rarest species of crane in the world, declining to a low of 21 birds in the early 1940s. Whooping Cranes in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population have rebounded to an estimated 550 individuals. This impressive bird stands at 5 feet tall with snowy white plumage and a striking red crown. Soar with us as we describe this charismatic species’ fascinating life history, exciting new research, and their ongoing conservation story. 

About the Speakers:
Paityn Macko is the Outreach Biologist for the International Crane Foundation Texas Program. An Oklahoman, she completed her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Central Oklahoma. She later obtained her master’s degree in marine conservation from the University of Miami, focusing on light pollution and its effects on sea turtle hatchlings. Her background includes the study of both freshwater and marine turtles, with an emphasis on outreach and education. She now works to increase awareness and empathy for Whooping Cranes along the Texas Gulf Coast and throughout the Central Flyway.

Matti Bradshaw works for the International Crane Foundation in the Texas office as the Leiden Conservation Whooping Crane Biologist. She started in January 2023 and has since been conducting research on Whooping Cranes in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population. Her role primarily focuses on research and monitoring of Whooping Cranes in Texas during the wintering period. Outside of work, she enjoys almost anything outdoors (especially fishing!), watching baseball, and listening to live music. Projects she has worked on include roost site use on the Texas coast, behavior of inland wintering Whooping Cranes, use of freshwater wetlands, and monitoring of over-summering Whooping Cranes. Matti received her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology from
Texas A&M University and is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Rangeland and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University – Kingsville. 

More info available here.