So......you say it's made of straw?

Bales are staggered as they are set in place,
just as you would with bricks.
The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center, set along the beautiful Platte River, is the second largest straw bale constructed building in the United States. This education/visitor center not only provides office space for the staff, but also has a classroom/conference room, educational displays, a viewing area of the river and much more. This multi-purpose building is available for rent for business meetings or special events.
Green Aspects of the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center
Insulation
- Jean material insulation
- Straw bale insulation
- Foam insulation made from waste product left over from processing gasoline
- High efficiency, operable windows
- Closed loop geo-thermal heating and cooling system
Lighting
- Solar tube, skylights
- Fluorescent lights
Reclaimed products
- Local cedar used as posts
- 3x14 beams from old warehouse used in Great Hall
- Recycled carpet
Other
- Sustainable harvested wood used where possible
- Low flow toilets
- Using low VOC paint
- Buying locally whenever possible
- Compost and recycling throughout area
- Using an already disturbed site for building
- Restoring land and xeriscaping
- Permeable parking lots
- Limited concrete used outside
- Limited outdoor lighting
How you can help, right now
Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are critical to the operations at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary. Take a look at our volunteer opportunities and consider joining this incredible team.
Make a Gift Today
Your generous support helps to ensure that Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife that depend on the Platte River will have this wonderful resource for years to come.
Rowe Sanctuary's Online Gift Shop
Our gift shop has a wide variety of items and your purchase supports our conservation efforts along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska.