Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary is a 3,000 acre nature sanctuary located along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska. Our mission is to protect the Platte River ecosystem and the birds that rely on it through habitat management and restoration, education programs, community outreach, and promoting crane viewing experiences in riverside blinds during the spring migration. 

Our trails are open daily from dawn-dusk- look for signage to indicate the trailhead location. Pets on a leash are only allowed in the parking lot and in a designated pet exercise are east of the parking lot. No pets are allowed on the trails.

Audubon Center Renovations 

At Rowe Sanctuary, we have: 

• Added an educational addition to the west wing to improve river and bird viewing for visitors and expand educational opportunities, the Anne. M Hubbard Education Center
• Added an east addition that will include a conference room, and multipurpose community space, and an industrial-grade kitchen for catering 
• Renovated the Lauritzen Great Hall to create a larger, more open space for gathering, educating, and river-viewing; and a more accessible entry to the Center
• Reconfigured office spaces for a growing staff and volunteer program 
• A new overlook deck and boardwalk segments, with guardrails, along the Platte River
• Relocated the parking lot to shield birds roosting on the river from headlights, improving accessibility, and creating an immediate stunning river view as visitors approach the center 
• ...And we will be installing new interpretive and interactive exhibits that guide guests to the outdoors 
• Plans for native plant landscaping; energy-efficient, wildlife-friendly lighting; and adding interpretative and educational signs 

We continually seek to increase these centers’ accessibility to the public, because we know that people first must learn more about their environment before they are motivated to care for it. These investments will touch everything—from education to habitat conservation, from science-based programming to operations—that Audubon Nebraska does and can achieve at our centers and beyond. 

Click here for more information on the Elevate Nebraska campaign.

We are able to protect this important landscape and provide education programs through generous donations from people like you! If you would like to make a contribution, click on the orange “Donate Now” button on the top of this page. Thank you so much for your support!