Join Amy Tan and John Muir Laws at Rowe Sanctuary to celebrate the Platte River’s rare braided channels—an evening of conversation, nature journaling, book signings, and hands-on support for habitat protection. Whether you attend in person or virtually, this event connects literature and field-based conservation.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most visitors; primarily seated/standing event with optional gentle field elements.
Wildlife
History
Rowe Sanctuary is an Audubon-managed preserve that has served as a focal point for Platte River bird conservation and public education for decades.
Conservation
Proceeds support sandbar management, habitat restoration, and education; visitors are asked to avoid disturbing roosts and to stay on designated paths.
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska, is a conservation and education site operated by Audubon dedicated to protecting the Platte River ecosystem and its migrating Sandhill Cranes. The center manages habitat restoration, scientific monitoring, and public programs that connect visitors with river, wetland, and prairie species.
Rowe Sanctuary hosts seasonal Crane Season events, offering guided crane viewing from accessible indoor and outdoor vantage points where thousands of Sandhill Cranes funnel along the Platte River at sunset. Programs include art workshops, accessible nature journaling, and special cultural events that blend storytelling, conservation, and hands-on learning.
Rowe Sanctuary partners with artists, researchers, and community leaders to present experiences such as the MONA Art Workshop: Dances of the Cranes with Susan Hart; Birdability Indoor Crane Viewing Experience; Birdability & Rowe: Accessible Nature Journaling Workshop; and Braided in Unison, a public event featuring author Amy Tan and conservation experts. Each offering emphasizes habitat preservation, visitor accessibility, and interpretive education about migratory birds and river dynamics.
Facilities at the center are designed to welcome diverse audiences, with accessible viewing areas and inclusive programming led by trained staff and volunteers. Education programs serve families, students, and conservation supporters, while fundraising events support ongoing land stewardship. Visitors can expect expert interpretation, panoramic river views, and opportunities to support the protection of the Platte River’s braided ecosystem.
The visitor center includes interpretive exhibits, educational displays, staff-led programs highlighting local ecology and research initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and ways for visitors to support ongoing conservation efforts.
Location
Gibbon, Nebraska
Platte River access point
Tours Offered
4
Curated seasonal experiences
Crane Season
Seasonal
Peak viewing at sunset
Accessibility
Birdability programs
Inclusive viewing and workshops
Reserve crane-viewing spots, sign up for workshops, or support Platte River habitat protection today.
Arrive Early for Parking
Younes Conference Center can fill during events; arrive 20–30 minutes early to secure parking and seating.
Bring Binoculars
If your ticket includes an evening crane tour, binoculars make distant roosts and flight behavior easier to observe.
Layer Up for Weather
Even indoor venues can feel cool; evenings on the Platte are often windy—bring a light jacket.
Respect Wildlife Viewing Etiquette
Stay on designated paths and avoid flash photography during crane viewing to reduce disturbance.
Binoculars
Helps you scan river channels and distant roosts during crane season.
spring
Nature journal & pen
Useful for note-taking and practicing techniques from John Muir Laws and Amy Tan.
Layered outerwear
Keeps you comfortable for outdoor portions and evening crane tours on the Platte.
spring
Phone/camera with extra battery
Capture talks and landscape views; batteries drain faster during cooler weather.