Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center

The mission of Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is to foster the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of
Nebraska's tallgrass prairie ecosystems by engaging people in the site's natural and cultural resources.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center
11700 SW 100^th St P.O. Box 117
Denton, NE 68339
(402) 797-2301
E-mail

Directions

Approximate coordinates:
40.6939N
-96.8542W

Open year-round

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
weekdays
&
1:00-5:00 p.m. weekends
Closed major holidays

Membership and Admission Information

FAQ's

Photo by
Gordon Warrick

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Spring Creek Prairie is one of Audubon's 24 Important Birds Areas in Nebraska! Find out more about this important conservation effort.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is an 808-acre tallgrass prairie nature preserve located 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln, Nebraska. Visitors can enjoy miles of walking trails, nearly 650 acres of native (never plowed) tallgrass prairie, ponds and wetlands, wildflowers and grasses, a diverse assortment of birds and other wildlife, historic nineteenth-century wagon ruts, peaceful surroundings, and beautiful scenic vistas. Volunteer opportunities are available and education programs for all ages are offered year-round.

"Once Upon a Prairie Wind" Kite Fly
Sunday, April 11
1:00-4:00 p.m.

In celebration of the Week of the Young Child, Spring Creek Prairie will host a family kite-flying event on Sunday, April 11. The prairie is a great place to fly a kite: no transmission lines and few trees to get tangled in. You can bring your own special kite to fly; make a small one from recycled materials we will have available; or buy one from The Brand, a Crete-based flag and wind toy business. Reduced admission of $2/person will apply for the afternoon. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No reservations are necessary.

Bird Banding Demonstrations
Saturdays, April 17 & May 8
8:00-10:00 a.m.
Suggested donation: $5/adult, kids free

Dr. Josef Kren will be setting up his bird banding station for two spring mornings to demonstrate how and why birds are banded. Reservations are not required, just come out anytime during these mornings for a chance to see some beautiful songbirds up close.

WINTER PROGRAMS - 2010

WINTER 2010 newsletter now available!

Details of programs are listed on Programs & Events page. Because most classes have limited space, registration is required unless noted otherwise.

Snug as a Bug
Saturday, February 6     10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
— Discover what spineless wonders are wiling away the winter in logs and leaf litter.

Campfire Dinner and a Movie for Singles
Saturday, February 13     1:00-4:00 p.m.
— Learn how to prepare and enjoy a simple campfire meal, then watch "Botany of Desire."

In Search of a Season: A Spring Treasure Hunt
Saturday, March 20         9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Starting times for teams every 20 minutes.
— Sign up your team of two to ten for a spring treasure hunt along the trails.

Basket Weaving
Saturday, April 10     9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
— Local artist Judy Hart will help participants create a potato basket.

Spring Open House
Sunday, April 25     1:00-5:00 p.m.
Free Admission
— A great way to spend a spring day is to enjoy an afternoon on the prairie. Music and refreshments will be provided.

DEB HAUSWALD NAMED AUDUBON EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Years of outstanding success and commitment in introducing people to the wonders nature and conservation have earned national recognition for Deborah Hauswald.

She received the National Audubon Society's prestigious Tamar Chotzen Audubon Educator of the Year award in ceremonies at a gathering of the organization's national and state leadership in October in Columbus, Ohio. Hauswald was honored for nine years of delivering innovative nature discovery experiences to children at the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center in Denton, where she serves as Education Coordinator. See the entire press release on the National Audubon Society's Web site.

Volunteer Discovery Leaders Wanted

(Photo by Paul Johnsgard)

Are you interested in becoming a Discovery Leader and helping lead school and public programs at Spring Creek Prairie? If so, find out more here.

Prairie Suite: A Celebration
Poems by Twyla Hansen, Drawings by Paul Johnsgard
Poetry book to benefit Spring Creek Prairie.
Available in our gift shop or through the mail.
Download order form (PDF file).