… Sandhill cranes were once almost extinct in the eastern U.S. Today, they’re making a comeback. These large waterbirds disappeared across much of their breeding range in the early 20th century as wetlands were drained for agriculture. … Laws such as the Clean Water Act, and programs that protect and restore wetlands and grasslands, such as the USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, have played an important part in this species’ recovery. Hunting regulations and migratory bird treaties have also been key.