The National Audubon Society recently awarded Wachiska Audubon Society (WAS) a $5,900 Audubon in Action Grant to support its Prairie Pines Buffer Plan, an effort to guide development around its 145-acre Prairie Pines Nature Preserve (PPNP) in southeast Nebraska. The grant is matched by a local donor, with additional funding from WAS and Prairie Pines Partners. WAS serves 17 counties and manages significant conservation land, including 10 prairies totaling 741 acres and 23 conservation easements covering 384 acres.
The Prairie Pines Buffer Plan will create a master plan for the land surrounding PPNP, focusing on balancing growth with conservation. A consulting firm specializing in greenspace planning has been hired, and a working group is being formed with representatives from the City of Lincoln, local agencies, landowners, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and other partners.
One key issue is a 305-acre tract adjacent to PPNP owned by the City of Lincoln and proposed for residential development. The plan will emphasize protecting green space, preserving natural drainage systems and riparian corridors, and expanding trail connections. It will also address potential impacts from the proposed East Bypass, a major four-lane roadway planned less than two miles from the preserve.
The goal is to incorporate the plan’s recommendations into the City of Lincoln’s future Comprehensive Plans, ensuring that development near PPNP is thoughtfully managed.
This project aligns with National Audubon’s Flight Plan, particularly in Policy Action, Habitat Conservation, and Community Building. It supports proactive, science-based planning by bringing together diverse stakeholders to shape land-use decisions. It also advances habitat conservation by protecting critical ecosystems threatened by rapid development.
Equally important, the project promotes community engagement. Public meetings and planning sessions will invite residents to participate in shaping the area’s future, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for conservation. By involving a broad range of partners and community members, the Prairie Pines Buffer Plan aims to ensure that future growth reflects both environmental priorities and local needs, while continuing Lincoln’s efforts to protect valuable natural spaces.
by Mark Brohman, Executive Director, Wachiska Audubon Society
