Yes, the presentation is free but registration is required.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes prior to check in at the Welcome Desk.

Are children allowed?

Yes, minimum age is 8; all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes, the facility is wheelchair accessible and staff can accommodate additional needs if requested during registration.

Will there be time for questions?

Yes, the group size is limited to 60 to allow time for audience questions and follow-up conversation with the presenter.

Whooping Crane Reintroduction: Update from Anne Lacy at Rowe Sanctuary | Wildlife | Environmental Attraction

Q: When and where does the talk take place?

Friday, March 13, 2026, 2:30–3:15 pm at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, 44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon NE 68840.

At the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary (44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon NE 68840), the Speaker Series: Update on Whooping Crane Reintroduction gathers scientists, conservationists, and curious visitors for a concise, information-rich hour on Friday, March 13, 2026, 2:30–3:15 pm. Free with registration; please check in at the Welcome Desk on arrival. The sanctuary sits along the central Platte River, where braided sandbars, shallow wetlands, and cottonwood galleries form crucial stopover habitat for migratory cranes and waterbirds. That landscape—the river’s shifting channels and rich riparian plant communities—frames the science in this talk and makes Rowe Sanctuary an essential public portal into flyway conservation. Anne Lacy, Director of Eastern Flyway Programs- North America at the International Crane Foundation, ICF, leads the presentation. Drawing on long-term field studies and collaboration with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, Lacy will walk attendees through the program’s arc since 2001. More than 300 Whooping Cranes have been released into Wisconsin using varied rearing and release techniques; the talk assesses where reintroduction has succeeded, where nesting and chick production remain a challenge, and how shifting release areas and amended methods are being tested to improve outcomes. This event balances accessible storytelling with scientific detail. Expect maps of Wisconsin release sites, population metrics, and an honest discussion of the ecological and behavioral hurdles that make reintroducing a migratory species so complex. The session is capped at a small group—60 people—encouraging questions and follow-up conversations with practitioners. It’s designed for birders, land managers, teachers, and families (minimum age 8; all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Accessibility is prioritized: the facility is wheelchair accessible and offers accommodations upon request. Why attend? Rowe Sanctuary is more than a venue; it is a working conservation landscape where Sandhill Crane migrations are interpreted daily and where community volunteers help manage riverine habitat. Hearing from an ICF eastern flyway director here connects the science of reintroduction with on-the-ground river ecology and local stewardship opportunities. Practical takeaways will include how volunteers and private landowners can support nesting habitat, what to expect when monitoring juvenile cranes, and how adaptive management shifts with each season and release cohort. Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early to register, bring binoculars if you plan to explore river overlooks afterward, and come ready with questions. Whether you follow the broader story of recovering endangered species or want a clear primer on a high-stakes restoration effort, this talk offers a grounded, up-to-date look at whether the Whooping Crane might move from endangered toward a more secure future. Local staff can point you to nearby viewing blinds and interpretive trails; check the sanctuary calendar for seasonal programs that expand beyond the lecture and into the river landscape.

About 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.

Whooping Crane Reintroduction: Update from Anne Lacy at Rowe Sanctuary

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