Until the spring of 2023, thousands of American White Pelicans nested on Gunnison Island in the North Arm of Great Salt Lake. The recently receding lake level caused a land bridge, exposing them to predators. The entire community had to abandon their nests last season. In spring of 2024, about a tenth of the refugee pelicans have returned to Gunnison Island and some are now trying to make a new home on Hat Island. Following the lead of Mr. Josh Craner’s 6th-grade class from Emerson Elementary, we will fold over 10,000 origami American White Pelicans to show our love for them. Learn about our great-winged neighbors while helping to create a public art display to honor them.
Help us fold origami pelicans to remember our beyond human kin in exile from Gunnison Island.
- Help us fold 10,000 pelicans!Fold pelicans and display them in your home or school.
- Write a little letter directly to the pelicans.
- Count the birds you made and send your final pelican count with photos of your birds and letters to before January 1st of 2025. We will keep the count.
- The dear pelican project will be displayed in the gallery at the Main Branch of Salt Lake City Library next Winter. We'll keep you updated on the opening!