By Katie Moore
Volunteer Coordinator
Published September 25, 2026
This article is from Audubon Great Plains
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Every spring, people from across the country and around the world make their way to Rowe Sanctuary to experience one of nature’s great migrations: the Sandhill Cranes roosting along the Platte River during our guided crane experiences. But it takes more than cranes to make Crane Season happen here at Rowe.
It takes a flock of dedicated volunteers.
Crane Season is a busy time at Rowe that people typically associate with the month of March through early April. But, the work begins well before the first guests arrive. Volunteers help us prepare for the season by spending months ahead of time working on educational programming, taking trainings, cleaning blinds, maintaining the Center, and even installing bird-approved red lights on our trails and in our blinds.
And once our guided crane experiences begin, there are about 30 volunteer jobs to fill every single day.
Those jobs can look very different from one another. Volunteers might work in the gift shop, help guide guests to and from the discovery stations, give talks, assist with educational workshops and field trips, or tackle one of the many behind-the-scenes tasks that keep Crane Season running smoothly.
So, why do volunteers keep coming back?
One of our volunteers, April M., put it this way:
“After two years of coming to Rowe Sanctuary as a guest, it was incredibly rewarding to return as a volunteer! Between seeing the cranes every day, to making a lasting impact on a guest’s vacations, or a bucket list adventure, I was proud to lend a hand where I could and enjoyed spending time with the staff and volunteers”.
Volunteers are an essential part of Crane Season at Rowe. Some are brand new, while others return year after year. They come to see the cranes, of course, but they also come for the people, the experience, and the opportunity to help create a memorable visit for guests from around the world.
During Crane Season, our volunteers get the opportunity to have fun by participating in activities like Volunteer Bingo (with prizes), shared meals, and creating lasting friendships - some craniacs even return year after year and choose to room together in our Volunteer housing. New volunteers arrive each week, bringing new energy and fun dynamics.
And you can become part of it.
- Apply online Volunteer at Rowe Sanctuary | Audubon
2. Background check & onboarding: After submitting an application and background check, our volunteer coordinator, Katie Moore, will call to discuss volunteer interests, projects, and teach you about Volgistics which is our volunteer site where we post volunteer positions and coordinate Crane Season shifts.
3. Crane Season 2027 Due Dates: If you want to specifically volunteer for Crane Season 2027, please submit your application by December 15, 2026.
4. Lodging Request: Housing is available for volunteers during certain times of the year. Crane Season housing is limited and volunteers need to reach out in October and early November for housing during Crane Season 2027.
Our goal is to make sure you have a wonderful experience while you’re here - and maybe leave with a few new friends, some great stories, and a deeper appreciation for the cranes that brought you here in the first place.
