Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership

External Program Review

31 March 2010

The Project Direction Team of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), representing our nine partner organizations, requested an external review of the reintroduction program to evaluate what part of the operation works well, what things need to improve or change, and what parts of our current process may need to be eliminated altogether. The review team was tasked with evaluating three main issues: 1) whether WCEP is operating in a way that will achieve the restoration of an eastern migratory flock of whooping cranes; 2) the scientific underpinning of WCEP’s methods and procedures; and 3) the methods and procedures that WCEP currently uses for decision making, internal communication, planning and executing management decisions.

WCEP extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to the five member review team. The review team brought their substantial expertise to bear on the three main issues and provided us with a comprehensive report and recommendations. In their review, they addressed the strengths and shortcomings of both the reintroduction project and the overall structure of WCEP.

The review team commended all those working on the reintroduction for tireless efforts and dedication. The team was very complimentary of WCEP for what has been accomplished in the face of limited funding. At the same time, several recommendations were made by the review team to address shortcomings they saw or areas needing more attention, including more focus on habitat needs of breeding birds, making scientific research more central in decision-making, and organizing the data taken on released birds more effectively.

Members of the WCEP Project Direction Team will meet for three days in May to thoroughly discuss and evaluate all of the recommendations set forth in the review, and continue to move forward towards the goal of establishing a self-sustaining population of whooping cranes. The breeding season is just now starting up in the captive centers, and we are looking forward to the production, training, migration, and release of another group of cranes this year.

Executive Summary of External Program Review Final Report (html)

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership: External Program Review - FINAL REPORT (31 March 2010) 152-page 1.37MB PDF

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Last updated: April 9, 2010