From the Director’s Desk: 2026 Crane Season Wrap Up

The skies over Rowe Sanctuary have grown noticeably quieter in recent weeks, as the calls of sandhill cranes drift north with the spring migration. With their departure, I find myself reflecting on the intensive and inspiring time of year we simply call “crane season.” What is it about these few weeks that brings people together so powerfully? What draws visitors back, year after year? And what makes Rowe Sanctuary such a meaningful gathering place for people from around the world?

The place

Perhaps it begins with the sinuous channels of the Platte River itself. The braided river, with its ever-changing sandbars and waterways, has a way of calling people back. As the sun sets over the river each evening, it’s easy to understand why—this landscape is both distinctive and deeply moving, a truly special resource here in central Nebraska.

As Rowe staff transition into a season focused on habitat management, I’m reminded of the year‑round work required to keep this river system healthy and suitable for the cranes’ use each spring. Maintaining the channel and surrounding ecosystems is ongoing, often behind the scenes, yet it is foundational to everything that follows during crane season.

The people

Of course, the river valley is not only a gathering place for birds—it is a gathering place for people as well. This crane season, Rowe Sanctuary once again welcomed visitors from all 50 states and nearly 20 countries, including Nepal, Afghanistan, Zambia, and Argentina. In total, approximately 18,000 people walked through our doors, each arriving with a story of their own.

I spoke with visitors who told me, “I never miss it—we’ve been coming for years,” and others who shared how meaningful this visit was for an 83‑year‑old parent who had dreamed of coming for over a decade and was finally able to do so thanks to the accessibility features of our new building and grounds. What an honor it is to be a place that holds and welcomes so many personal stories.

A key ingredient in Rowe Sanctuary’s “special sauce” is our volunteers, who flock here each spring with remarkable dedication. This year, more than 100 volunteers from 24 states contributed nearly 7,000 hours of service in just two months. While the numbers are impressive, they only begin to tell the story. Those hours represent countless thoughtful interactions—providing education, offering assistance, and engaging in meaningful conversations with visitors, all centered on the wonder of the spring crane migration.

It is these personal connections that bring volunteers back year after year, and I remain deeply inspired by the commitment they show in supporting the mission of Rowe Sanctuary and Audubon’s work.

The programming

As visitors arrive in central Nebraska, they come eager to learn. In 2026, Rowe Sanctuary staff once again offered a wide range of programs, events, and classes to meet that curiosity. Visitor engagement could be seen everywhere—from the finished masterpieces created during Art Workshops, to the attentive nods of Speaker Series audiences, to the delighted squeals of our youngest learners during Family Story Time.

More than 2,000 people participated in these offerings, including over 850 visitors who joined daily programs to learn about crane behavior and life cycles.

One highlight of the season was Braided in Unison, an event celebrating the Platte River’s braided ecosystem. Just as cranes weave their unison calls together in harmony, 250 people gathered in support of this vital habitat. The evening featured renowned author Amy Tan in conversation with nature journalist, author, and educator John Muir Laws. Watching Nebraska’s cranes for the first time, they shared reflections, insights, and lessons learned during their week along the river—laughing, smiling, expressing emotion, and even sharing sketches from their nature journals that captured the experience.

Whether welcoming a class of eight or hosting a large gathering like Braided in Unison, it was clear to me that thoughtfully designed programs create meaningful opportunities to learn, stretch, and connect with the Platte River and the crane migration.

The birds

And, of course, the greatest draw of all is the cranes themselves. This year, they did not disappoint. Early-season viewing was especially strong, with bird numbers remaining steady throughout the season and captivating visitors and staff alike. Counts peaked at around 400,000 cranes along the surveyed 80‑mile stretch of the river—very close to the 10‑year average for those weeks, and providing excellent sustained viewing throughout the season.

This Spring also included some memorable birding moments. Crane viewers witnessed a rare Common Crane, a species native to Europe and Asia. On occasion, an individual will take a wrong turn in Siberia and follow sandhill cranes down the Central Flyway of North America, offering a once‑in‑a‑lifetime sighting.

Later in the season, a leucistic (possibly albino?) crane was observed on and around Rowe Sanctuary. Sometimes mistaken for a Whooping Crane, this bird provided an excellent opportunity for staff and volunteers to help visitors learn about pigment abnormalities in wildlife.

And finally, no crane season recap would be complete without mentioning the multiple sightings of Whooping Cranes at Rowe. With a migratory population of roughly 550, each sighting remains a cause for celebration and a powerful reminder of the impact of conservation efforts across their entire flyway.

A final reflection

As I think back on crane season, examples of meaningful moments to mind readily: hosting groups eager to experience a morning liftoff, watching a child use binoculars with the help of a caregiver, and countless other small yet powerful interactions. Together, they show the important role Rowe Sanctuary plays in the lives of so many.

What stands out most to me is how deeply interconnected our work truly is. Much like the braided river itself, our efforts are woven together. Conservation work strengthens education, education is supported by volunteers, and the birds depend on thoughtful habitat management. None of these elements stand alone; together they form a larger, resilient whole.

While this integration is true year‑round, it is nowhere more visible than during crane season. As we bid farewell to the last remaining cranes each spring, I am encouraged—by the people, the place, and the shared purpose that continues to bring us together.