Our Mission

Promote increased awareness of and respect for native bird species, their natural behaviors and habitats.

Develop and promote better understanding of the natural history of avian species in both the public and scientific communities.

Develop nutritional protocol, rehabilitation methods and husbandry based on the species' natural history to assure a successful transition into the wild.

These two juvenile sandhill cranes were hatched from eggs at REGI. Many, many, hours of care has gone into raising these sandhill cranes. Sandhills go from hatch to flight in about 56 days! During this time the cranes need to be feed, walked, and kept warm. In nature these cranes would follow their mother around all day long. Exercise is extremely important for these birds. They need to be walked at least a mile a day to keep their ligaments and muscles in good shape. REGI's staff and interns spent many hours walking these cranes. All of the walking, feeding, and nurturing that has been done all summer will pay off in the fall when these two sandhill cranes along with a third sandhill that we raised will hopefully migrate with a wild flock.