About

Staff

Staff listing for the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary

Soncey Kondrotis - Operations Manager

Soncey oversees day-to-day operations of the facilities at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center. She grew up in Colorado and has lived in Nebraska for several years moving here from Virginia to be closer to family. Soncey has an Associate's Degree in Business Administration.

Cody Wagner - Conservation Program Manager

Cody manages the conservation program on Rowe Sanctuary including habitat management activities, monitoring, and conservation planning/partnerships. He grew up in rural central Nebraska near Chapman. Cody earned a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Wayne State College in northeast Nebraska. He has previous experience from the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District, the US Fish and Wildlife Service refuge system, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Amanda Hegg - Senior Conservation Associate & Interim Volunteer Coordinator

Amanda has been at Rowe Sanctuary since 2020 and spends most of her time planning and conducting habitat management activities that improve the sanctuary for priority species like cranes and grassland birds. She also enjoys working with community partners on native plant projects as a part of the Bird Friendly Communities program, surveying flora and fauna on the sanctuary, and creating data-driven methods that help inform long-term habitat management and conservation plans at Rowe. Amanda grew up in South Dakota and is a graduate from the University of South Dakota where she studied sustainability and conservation biology. Amanda's previous experience includes studies of Missouri River bird communities with the Missouri River Institute and National Park Service in southeastern South Dakota, and park management in the Black Hills of South Dakota with Game, Fish and Parks. 

Amanda Hefner - Education & Outreach Manager

Amanda manages the outreach and education programs at Rowe Sanctuary and works with partners and educators to provide hands-on learning experiences. She enjoys working with people and finding creative ways to connect with others. She grew up in Archer, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied environmental studies and natural resource sciences. Amanda’s previous experience was mostly spent in the Nebraska Sandhills working at The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve where she conducted research, led the outreach program, and assisted with land stewardship, including bison roundup and prescribed fire. 

Anne Troyer -  Senior Outreach Coordinator

Anne is the Senior Coordinator of Outreach for Rowe Sanctuary. She grew up on a farm close to Shickley, in south central Nebraska. Anne earned a B.A. in bible, religion and philosophy with a minor in women’s studies.

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