Experience the crane migration live and learn its stories with Explore.org!
Join Rowe Sanctuary and Explore.org for a free, registration-required virtual evening that streams the Platte River crane roost live. Tune in for guided narration, real-time crane behavior, and a close look at one of North America’s most important migration corridors.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
45 minutes
Fitness Level
No special fitness required for the virtual program; visiting the sanctuary in person may involve short easy hikes and standing at blinds.
Wildlife
History
Rowe Sanctuary has long protected key staging habitat along the Central Platte River and partners with Explore.org and other organizations to share migration stories with the public.
Conservation
Remote streaming reduces visitor pressure on sensitive areas and raises funds and awareness; small actions like avoiding roadside disturbance and supporting habitat protection make a measurable difference.
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Experience the crane migration live and learn its stories with Explore.org!
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.
Register and test your connection
Sign up ahead of time at the Explore.org Crane Camera meeting page and confirm your internet and audio work for smooth viewing.
Watch peak activity
Tune in at dawn or dusk during spring migration for the busiest, most dynamic crane behavior.
Use headphones
Headphones make it easier to hear quiet narration and the cranes’ distinctive calls on the livestream.
If visiting in person, minimize disturbance
Use the sanctuary’s observation blinds and stay on trails to avoid flushing roosting cranes.
Stable internet connection
A steady connection keeps the 24/7 crane camera and live commentary smooth.
Headphones
Improves ability to hear narration and the cranes’ calls clearly.
Binoculars
Useful if you visit Rowe Sanctuary in person to scan feeding flocks on the river and nearby fields.
Field guide or birding app
Helps identify age classes, plumage details, and other species seen around the Platte.