Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival

Celebrate the migration of Sandhill Cranes through Teton Valley at this annual event. This week-long festival will feature so many fun events!

Monday, September 12

Poetry and Printmaking Workshop with Matt Daly and Ava Reynolds, 10am-12pm, Teton Regional Land Trust (TRLT)

Crane Field: a Poetic and Visual Exploration of our Relationships with Cranes

Experiencing cranes can echo the feeling of experiencing art. In color, movement, and sound, cranes speak to our creative selves. During this collaborative visual art and poetry workshop, we will create compositions in response to our observations of cranes and our accompanying thoughts and feelings about these beautiful birds that inspire us. $15 suggested donation, limited to 15 participants. Register for poetry and printmaking workshop HERE.

Tuesday, September 13

Drawing Workshop with Sue Tyler, 1-3pm, TRLT, SOLD OUT

Explore the process of drawing birds local to Teton Valley with artist Sue Tyler. This workshop is for beginners as well as more experienced artists who want to practice drawing fundamentals. Sue will lead you through techniques to improve observational skills and use of drawing techniques and materials. Materials will be available or bring your favorite sketchbook and tools. $15 suggested donation, limited to 15 participants. Register for drawing workshop HERE.

Wednesday, September 14

Photography Workshop with Linda Swope, 4-7pm, TRLT (only 2 spots left)

Join us for this exceptional opportunity for crane photography with a focus on improving your composition techniques. No matter your camera knowledge or photography levels, good composition will improve your images instantly. Linda Swope, an award-winning lifelong professional photographer will teach you how to draw the viewer’s eye to your subject. Learn the value of post processing cropping to finish your work of art. Take your photography to a higher plane. The workshop will move from classroom to protected property and is timed perfectly for photographing Sandhill cranes along their migration route. You can photograph the flyover until sunset, capturing memorable images and a unique experience. $25 suggested donation, limited to 25 participants. Register for photography workshop HERE.

Thursday, September 15

Documentary Film Screening, 6-7:30pm, Seniors West of the Tetons

The Nature Makers, directed by Scott Saunders

In a world increasingly dominated by humans, three teams of wildlife conservationists go to extraordinary and seemingly unnatural lengths to try to save threatened species and habitat in the American heartland. Species include Sandhill cranes, humpback chub, and prairie dogs. $10 suggested donation at the door. Drinks available for purchase. Watch trailer HERE.

Friday, September 16

Morning Sandhill Crane Tours with Michael Whitfield, 7-9am, TRLT, SOLD OUT

Sign up for a morning tour to circumnavigate the habitat for staging Sandhill cranes in Teton Valley. Each tour will have a naturalist on board to discuss crane ecology, behavior, and conservation.

Teton Valley Farmers Market, 9am-1pm, Driggs City Center Plaza

Come by and say hello to Teton Regional Land Trust staff, who will have a booth at the market, selling Crane Festival merchandise and raffle tickets for Crane Festival prizes.

Teton Arts Crane Art Show, 5:30-8pm, Driggs City Center Foyer and Plaza

The public is invited to join the Teton Arts’ Crane Art Show and Opening Reception. We will be serving food and drinks, and you will be able to enjoy and buy the beautiful artwork in the Teton Arts Gallery in the Driggs City Center foyer. Outside on the plaza stage, we’ll have remarks from this year’s Crane Festival Poster Art contest winners, MaryBeth Garrigan and Petra Johnita Lommen, and dance performances by Idaho Falls School of Ballet, Summit School of the Arts, and Hispanic Heritage sponsored by Hispanic Resource Center.

If you are an artist and would like to show your art in the Crane Art Show, you can register HERE.

Saturday, September 17

Morning Sandhill Crane Tours, 7-9am, TRLT, SOLD OUT

Sign up for a morning tour to circumnavigate the habitat for staging Sandhill cranes in Teton Valley. Each tour will have a naturalist on board to discuss crane ecology, behavior, and conservation. $10 suggested donation, limited to 2o participants per day. Register for crane tours HERE.

In A Landscape: Classical Music in the Wild, 3-7pm, Alta, WY SOLD OUT

Piano player Hunter Noack will expertly play to his audience while the music is transmitted to the concert-goers via wireless headphones. No longer confined to seats, attendees may explore sunny meadows, walk among trees, and gaze at the mountains and sky. Before the concert, join conservation tours of Pontirussa Ranch and watch skilled plein air artists capture the stunning views in paintings that will be offered as part of a silent auction. The post-concert auction will also include exciting items and experiences from local Teton Valley businesses.

Event proceeds will support the Land Trust’s conservation efforts in the Greater Yellowstone region. Bring a picnic while you enjoy the concert along with breathtaking views of the Tetons from Pontirussa Ranch in Teton Canyon.

Watch last year’s Sandhill Crane keynote presentation by Rob Cavallaro, ID Fish & Game’s Regional Wildlife Habitat Manager HERE.