Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival

Celebrate the migration of Sandhill Cranes through Teton Valley at this annual event. The 7th Annual Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival will be returning to Teton Valley. Come stay in Teton Valley to enjoy the festival. Lodging options can be found HERE.

All proceeds from Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival events go towards the Greater Yellowstone Sandhill Crane Initiative at Teton Regional Land Trust. This project’s purpose is to secure and actively manage habitat in Teton Valley in order to sustain the largest pre-migration staging population of Sandhill Cranes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Registration for all Crane Festival events are open now.

Schedule of Activities:

Photography Workshop with Linda Swope, 7am-10am, TRLT

Join us for this exceptional opportunity for Sandhill Crane photography with a focus on improving your camera techniques. Teton Regional Land Trust will shuttle us to a protected property early in the morning to witness and photograph the sunrise journey from roost to grain fields.

Linda M Swope, an award-winning lifelong professional photographer, will teach technique, guide your experience, and answer questions in the field. Land Trust representatives will talk about cranes and their special time in Teton Valley. Together we will capture memorable images and a unique experience.

Two weeks later, on October 3rd, the group will move to the classroom for instruction and critique. Students may send in four images to be viewed by the class and critiqued by Ms. Swope. No matter your camera knowledge or photography levels, good composition will improve your images instantly. Use this opportunity for one-on-one guidance to take your photography to the next level while supporting the local sandhill crane migration. $75, limited to 20 people. Buy HERE.

Plein Air Workshop with Sue Tyler, 1pm-4:30pm

Join artist Sue Tyler on a unique conservation easement property to plein air paint! Sue will discuss site selection, composition, thumbnail and value sketches, and shape making as components of the outdoor painting process.

The goal is exploration and fun while creating drawings/paintings that express the look and feel of a special place. Bring familiar drawing or painting materials and plan to spend the afternoon visually studying the landscape with Sue as your guide.

The last 30 minutes will be spent sharing and discussing your results. Due to crane activity on the property, its location will be shared before the class. $60, limited to 15 people. Buy HERE.

Evening Crane Viewing, 6:30pm-8:30pm, TRLT

Join Land Trust staff on a beautiful, conserved property to view Sandhill Cranes flying overhead from daytime feeding sites to nighttime roosting sites. Learn about crane behavior, ecology, and the conservation efforts of the Land Trust on their behalf. Due to crane activity on the property, its location will be shared before the class. $20, limited to 20 people. Buy HERE.