Cranes, an iconic wetland species, require healthy habitats worldwide throughout their annual cycle. Because wetlands serve cranes through the breeding, migratory, and winter seasons, conservation of all wetlands confers broad benefits throughout their range. Both of North America’s crane species occur in Wisconsin and rely on our healthy, functioning wetlands to remain conservation success stories. This symposium will showcase research led by the International Crane Foundation illustrating how strong partnerships lead to resilient wetlands, to the advantage of cranes and people. We have collaborations with governments, communities, NGOs, universities, and the private sector at continental, flyway, and local levels. These case studies—from local to continental scales—offer practical lessons for wetland managers, restoration practitioners, and policy makers in Wisconsin. For example, restorations of floodplain wetlands in Vietnam have parallels to work underway in Wisconsin to recover Whooping Cranes here, especially in how water management decisions affect breeding success. Likewise, ensuring wetland connectivity throughout the Central Flyway has lessons that support wetland dependent species well beyond cranes here in Wisconsin. Please join us to learn more about these projects and how protection of crane habitats, critical migratory ecosystems, and wetland resources globally benefits us locally. Speakers: 11:00 - 11:20 Rich Beilfuss (International Crane Foundation) A 10-year vision for cranes, wetlands, and communities: Insights from Wisconsin to the world 11:20 - 11:40 Andrew Caven (International Crane Foundation) Wetland restoration to ensure flyway connectivity for migratory cranes 11:40 - Noon Hillary Thompson (International Crane Foundation) Threat mitigation to protect critical wetland habitat for Whooping Cranes Noon - 12:20 Nicki Gordon (International Crane Foundation) Whooping crane nest site selection in Wisconsin wetlands Moderator: Anne Lacy (International Crane Foundation) Sponsored by Thompson & Associates Wetland Services