This February, Rowe Sanctuary will reveal new exhibits at the recently expanded Iain Nicolson Audubon Center. Visitors will be welcomed by three floor-to-ceiling murals, life-sized depictions of Sandhill and Whooping Cranes, interactive displays, and educational elements. Each component of the experience is designed to supplement a visit to Rowe Sanctuary’s critical habitat.
The 12,000 sq. ft. exhibit will be installed in the Discovery Room, situated to complement the views of the Platte River that visitors can enjoy year-round. The goals of the exhibit to are help visitors experience the wonder of Sandhill Crane migration, discovery how uniquely vital the sanctuary is to the survival of Sandhill and Whooping Cranes and other birds, to understand the Platte River Basin and surrounding ecosystems. Additionally, the exhibits display information about the past, present, and future effects of human actions on cranes and the Platte River.
Of course, visitors from around the world are drawn to Rowe for the annual crane migration and these birds are a main feature in the exhibits. An entire wall is dedicated to their characteristic behaviors: their dancing, bustle displays, roosting patterns and more. Tactile displays and interactive exhibits will invite visitors to learn about crane’s life cycles, diet, and migration patterns.
While the crane migration is a focus for Rowe, the conservation work at the Sanctuary lasts year-round and extends beyond the Platte River. Nearby grasslands and wet meadows are not only important secondary roosting habitat for cranes and are also home to many other priority bird species. Among the exhibit elements, a large mural will illustrate prairie flora and fauna over multiple seasons, beautifully depicting the wide range of biodiversity dependent on grasslands. At a larger level, a watershed-scale map of the Platte will invite visitors to learn and reflect on how this stretch of the river is dependent on upstream factors, such as snowpack in the Rockies and human development in the form of bridges and reservoirs.
The learning extends beyond the building to the exterior spaces as well. Several educational panels will be installed along the new Dr. Paul Johnsgard Accessible Loop, a nearly half mile out-and-back trail featuring a fully-accessible concrete pathway and wetland viewing deck. These outdoor displays will highlight the ecosystems and wildlife that exist alongside the river, featuring riparian woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and more.
These interactive and educational displays are one of the many recent changes to the center as part of the $12.5 million renovation and expansion of the Center. Completed in 2024, this construction project and building upgrade equips Rowe Sanctuary to welcome more than 30,000 visitors annually. Center Director Marcos Stoltzfus commented, “these exhibits will tell the story of The Platte River, cranes, and their migration in a completely unique way in Central Nebraska. We can’t wait to debut them as a tool for educating the public about our critical conservation mission on the Platte.”
Curious to learn more? Next month’s newsletter will include an article by guest writers from EDX, the exhibits company that helped to plan and design Rowe’s installation. They will elaborate on the thinking and design choices behind this newest addition to visitor experience at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center.
