Get Involved

Volunteering

Become a member of our team.
Observing birds during the Christmas Bird Count. Photo: Camilla Cerea
Get Involved

Volunteering

Become a member of our team.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary!

There are many fun and satisfying ways to become involved with the community here. No matter what your schedule or your interests, there is something here for you!  We will tailor your volunteer experience to fit your individual needs or preferences.

While crane season is our busiest time of the year; volunteers are needed all year long.

Volunteers are a very important part of the operation here and an important link into the greater community. Volunteers help us maintain and preserve our 3,000 acres of critical habitat by assisting with habitat projects, education programs, office administration, and building maintenance. For example, as a volunteer, you may be asked to fill roles such as –

  • Information Desk and Phone Receptionist: In general, we provide information about cranes and the natural history of the area, directions to local attractions, and upcoming events. As well as taking reservations and relaying local information.
  • Crane Viewing Tour Guide: Lead or assist tour guide out to the assigned viewing blind on the Platt River. Must be able to answer questions and provide short and accurate information on Sandhill cranes and Rowe Sanctuary’s mission.
  • Crane Cam Operator: Operate the “crane cam” during designated times (dawn and dusk). We have a new and improved camera that can zoom onto specific cranes. This Crane Cam is available on our website and is watched by many people here in the sanctuary and a far. Visitors can also ask questions on the crane cam blog, it is the crane cam operator’s job to answer questions or direct them to other resources.
  • Grounds Keeping: Regular daily outdoor chores include vary day by day. Typical tasks include; sweeping and shoveling sidewalks, inspecting parking lot, around the center, trails and blinds for trash, potholes and other safety hazards empting outdoor trash/recycling bins and filling birdfeeders.

The first step to become a Rowe Sanctuary volunteer is to complete the volunteer application located at the bottom of this page or online here. If you want to volunteer for the 2024 crane season, you must submit your application by December 15, 2023 to allow staff adequate time to complete all the necessary paperwork and so you can be trained on all the volunteer expectations and jobs.

You may either send the paper copy by email to rowevolunteercoordinator@audubon.org or mail to:

Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary

Attn: Volunteer Coordinator

44450 Elm Island Road

Gibbon, NE 68840

Upon receiving your application, we will be in contact with you to complete additional paperwork, including a successful background check and schedule an interview.

We look forward to getting to know you and working together to advance Rowe Sanctuary’s mission; to conserve and restore the Platte River ecosystem for the birds that depend on it.

How you can help, right now