Restoring the Platte

Nebraska is the home of Arbor Day, established in 1874 to promote tree-planting; an effort that has since spread across the country with great success.  It is ironic, then, land managers along Nebraska’s Platte River have focused on tree removal as a strategy for improving ecological health across the landscape.  While the sight of trees being cut in a conservation setting may seem counterintuitive to some, the context of the central Platte River and the surrounding grassland ecosystems provide an important backdrop for these recent efforts.  

The Platte River is recognized in the Nebraska Legacy Project as a Biologically Unique Landscape , supporting a remarkable diversity of species, including threatened and endangered wildlife such as Whooping Cranes, and Piping Plovers. However, this landscape faces mounting challenges. Among the most significant is woody encroachment—the spread of invasive species like eastern red cedar and non-native shrubs into ecosystems that historically would have been dominated by herbaceous plants, namely grasses and forbs.

Species like Eastern Red Cedar can dramatically alter habitat conditions, limiting native plant diversity by nearly 90%. Over time, this transformation diminishes the open, dynamic character of the ecosystems like prairies or the broad Platte River channel that many species depend upon.

Tree removal can play a critical role in broader ecosystem function. Invasive species like Eastern Red Cedar can alter hydrology, reducing soil moisture and even affecting groundwater recharge. Their removal helps restore natural ecological processes, benefiting not only birds, but also fish, amphibians, and other wildlife that depend on a healthy Platte River system.

Earlier in the year, we began a project across Rowe Sanctuary to restore key riparian areas.  Through targeted removal, our habitat team worked with contractors to remove invasive trees and shrubs to reduce canopy cover and restore more natural, open conditions. The goal is not simply to remove trees, but to create a healthier balance—one that allows native grasses and wildflowers to reestablish and supports a wider diversity of wildlife.

In this project we’ve removed some trees, but not all.  Instead, we’ve kept the larger cottonwoods to create a riparian savannah ecosystem. Although not historically widespread across the Platte, there is evidence of this kind of habitat in the river corridor, especially between present-day Kearney and Grand Island.  Rowe has imagery of the restored parcel dating from 1938 showing small, wooded islands. With management goals compatible with river management, these cottonwood-dominated, open-understory ecosystems allow other vegetation types to grow; and healthier woodlands can support more species of birds. Great-Crested Flycatchers, Baltimore Orioles, and Red-headed Woodpeckers are a few examples of species that will likely thrive as a result. 

Importantly, these efforts have been made possible in large part through funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET). Support from NET directly enables on-the-ground restoration work, including tree removal, reseeding with native plant communities, and other habitat improvements at a meaningful scale.  Support for this project also came from Nebraska Game and Parks, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  

The benefits of habitat restoration work extend beyond wildlife. Restored habitats enhance the visitor experience for the thousands of people who come to Rowe Sanctuary each year, drawn by the beauty of the Platte River and world-renowned crane migration. These landscapes also serve as living classrooms, supporting environmental education and connecting people to conservation.

Ultimately, Rowe Sanctuary's tree removal projects highlight an underlying truth: effective conservation often requires active intervention. By removing invasive species and restoring native habitats, Rowe is ensuring that the Platte River ecosystem remains vibrant, resilient, and capable of supporting wildlife and people for generations to come.