Audubon's mission in Nebraska is accomplished at two Audubon centers: The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary near Kearney and Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center near Lincoln. (Photos below by Michael Forsberg.)

Rowe Sanctuary and the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center

Rowe Sanctuary spreads out along 1,447 acres of Platte River habitat 20 minutes east of Kearney. Since 1974, it has been one of the premier spots in central Nebraska to enjoy the spectacular late winter migration of over 500,000 sandhill cranes and millions of ducks, geese, and other waterbirds. The new Iain Nicolson Audubon Center opened in the spring of 2003, providing education programs for all ages and accommodating visitors who wish to learn about the wonders of the Platte River and its wildlife.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center

This 808-acre sanctuary encompasses nearly 650 acres of native tallgrass prairie, as well as springs, ponds, wetlands, and woodlands. Located 15 miles southwest of Lincoln, the Center offers a variety of education programs enabling schoolchildren and families to explore diverse ecosystems and to enjoy hands-on experiences with Nebraska's natural and human history. Birders will delight in observing such grassland birds as greater prairie-chickens, bobolinks, upland sandpipers, and dickcissels. For history buffs, there are mid-19th century wagon ruts from the Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cutoff to the Oregon Trail.