Join us as we commemorate five decades of conservation and community through a season of special events, experiences, and shared appreciation for the cranes, wildlife, and our native grasslands. From guided crane viewing tours to educational programs and celebratory gatherings, this milestone season we invite you to be part of Rowe Sanctuary’s legacy.

Speaker Series

Rowe is excited to welcome guest speakers this Crane Season 2025! Learn more about cranes, birds, and conservation topics that affect Sandhill Cranes, Rowe, and Nebraska ecosystems. Speaker lectures are free but have limited capacity. Pre-registration required. Registration opens January 22, 2025.

Friday, March 7, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Grey Crowned Cranes as a Powerful Flagship Species for improving Livelihoods of last-mile Communities in East Africa	Dr. Adalbert Aine-omucunguzi, East Africa Regional Director International Crane Foundation	Register here.
Saturday, March 8, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	"Only" Threatened? Update on the Whooping Crane Reintroduction	Anne Lacy, Director of Eastern Flyway Programs - North America International Crane Foundation	Register here.
Friday, March 14, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Water Wars for Wild Wetlands	Jackie Augustine, Executive Director - Audubon of Kansas	Register here.
Saturday, March 15, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Home on the Range: Breeding Biology of Prairie-chickens	Jackie Augustine, Executive Director - Audubon of Kansas	Register her e.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Wild Cranes in Art and History	Andrew Peters, Artist of The Migration Reunion of Ancient Kin	Register here.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	The Secret Life of Cranes… in Context	Brian Ellis, Director of Membership and Outreach, Illinois Audubon Society Matt Hayes, Ph. D in Avian Biology	Register here.
Friday, March 21, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Why We Love Sandhill Cranes	Paul Tebbel, Former Center Director of the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center	Register here.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Kettling to the Sky: An Afternoon of Cranes in Poetry featuring Twyla Hansen	Prairie Art Brothers	Register here.
Friday, March 28, 2025	Rowe Sanctuary 50th Anniversary Celebration	Special Programming	Registration coming soon.
Saturday, March 29, 2025	Rowe Sanctuary 50th Anniversary Celebration	Special Programming	Registration coming soon.
Friday, April 4, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	The Natural History of North American Cranes	Amanda Hegg, Senior Conservation Associate - Audubon Great Plains	Register here.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Corn and Cranes: 150 Years of Change in the Platte River Valley	Dr. Larkin Powell, Director of the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Register here.
Friday, April 11, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Tracing the Path of the Platte River	Melissa Mosier, Platte River Program Manager	Register here.

Family Art Workshops

Join us for family-friendly time at Rowe! Each workshop includes an art project component followed by indoor crane viewing from our Visitor's Center. This is a great way for families with children under 10 years of age to be introduced to the crane migration! Cost $30 per family, pre-registration is required. Registration opens January 22, 2025.

Saturday, March 8th, 2025 \| 6:00 p.m.	The Art of Cranes: Origami Fun, a Family Art workshop	Lois Smith	Register here.
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 \| 7:00 p.m.	Crane Feather Art: A Family Art workshop	Susan Hart	Register here.
Saturday, April 5th, 2025 \| 7:30 p.m.	"Rowe-Cycling" creating art with recycled and found objects: A Family Art workshop	Maria Beucke	Register here.

Indoor Crane Viewing

Watch the migration from the comfort of the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center. An educator will give a short talk on crane behaviors, followed by viewing from the Center. Cost $20/adult and $10/child (18 years and younger), pre-registration is required.

Saturday, March 15th, 2025 \| 7:00 p.m.	Register here.
Monday, March 17th, 2025 \| 7:00 p.m.	Register here.
Monday, March 24th, 2025 \| 7:00 p.m.	Register here.
Monday, March 31st, 2025 \| 7:00 p.m.	Register here.

Adult Art Workshops

Embrace your artistic side with Rowe Sanctuary and the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA)! Join us for a study in the junction between art and nature in a variety of media with wonderful guest instructors. Cost is $30 per participant (15 years old and up), pre-registration is required. Registration opens January 22, 2025.

Monday, March 10th, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Color Pencil and Graphite Crane Study	Lois Smith	Register here.
Friday, March 14, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Dances of the Cranes	Susan Hart	Register here.
Monday, March 17, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Nature's Canvas: Plein Air	David Wiebe	Register here.
Friday, March 21, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Dances of the Cranes	Susan Hart	Register here.
Monday, March 24, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Nature's Canvas: Plein Air	David Wiebe	Register here.
Monday, March 28, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Dances of the Cranes	Susan Hart	Register here.
Monday, March 31, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Watercolor Crane Study	Lois Smith	Register here.
Friday, April 4th, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	River and Sky: Plein Air Painting	Cindy Schneider	Register here.
Monday, April 7th, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	Painting with Wool: Needle Felting a Landscape	Christine Brown	Register here.
Friday, April 11th, 2025 \| 10:00 a.m.	River and Sky: Plein Air Painting	Cindy Schneider	Register here.

Crane Behavior Basics

How do cranes use their distinctive calls to communicate? What is behind a crane's body language when they curtsey, jump, wing-stretch, or bustle display? Find out during this daily offering, and learn more about these charismatic bird behaviors! Offered daily March 4-April 12. Cost is $10/person, pre-registration is required.

Crane Folklore

Cranes have impacted many cultures and have been symbols representing many things, such as peace and hope. Learn about these stories and folklore every week with us and learn why so many cultures value and respect these magnificent birds! Offered weekly on Sundays from March 9-April 6. No Cost. Registration is required and be available online and at the center day of.

Sunday, March 9th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Sunday, March 16th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Sunday, March 30th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Sunday, April 6th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.

The Natural History of North American Cranes

North America is home to both the most abundant and most rare crane species in the world- the Sandhill Crane and Whooping Crane. Join us for an engaging presentation about the evolutionary history and life cycle of these extraordinary birds and learn about past and present conservation efforts to protect them. Offered weekly on Mondays from March 10-April 7. No Cost. Registration is required and be available online and at the center day of.

Monday, March 10th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Monday, March 17th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Monday, March 24th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Monday, March 31st, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.
Monday, April 7th, 2025 \| 3:00 p.m.	Register here.

Family Story Time

Bring out your littlest crane enthusiasts and learn about cranes! Grab the entire family and join us for an interactive and engaging storytime for children under 10. Start with a story or two, and then move onto hands-on activities that explore these marvelous birds. No Cost. Drop-in program, no registration required.

Saturday, March 8, 2025 \| 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Drop-in program, no registration required
Saturday, March 15, 2025 \| 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Drop-in program, no registration required
Saturday, March 22, 2025 \| 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Drop-in program, no registration required
Saturday, March 29, 2025 \| 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Drop-in program, no registration required
Saturday, April 5, 2025 \| 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Drop-in program, no registration required
Saturday, April 12, 2025 \| 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Drop-in program, no registration required