Volunteers at Rowe Sanctuary come from all over the US and Canada (from retirees to college students), all sharing a passion for conservation. Our volunteers are essential to the success of the sanctuary and are a vital part of our mission. Whether you are interested in leading tours during the spring migration of the Sandhill cranes or working on hands-on conservation stewardship projects, there is something for everyone.

What projects do we have for volunteers?

There are so many ways that volunteers can make a difference here at Rowe, whether that’s during Crane Season or year-round. Volunteers support us in countless ways: collecting native seeds for restoration projects, tending the grounds on Thursday mornings with Garden Gang, running educational booths at Fall Nature Festival, tagging Monarch butterflies during the Monarch Madness event, welcoming visitors during the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center’s Holiday Open House, and even cleaning out blinds in preparation for Crane Season tours. Throughout the year, volunteers stay involved with Rowe Sanctuary by receiving newsletters, hearing from educational speakers, and participating in the Rowe-ving Volunteer Trip to other organizations where we take the power of Rowe’s volunteer program on the road.

“Crane Season” is a magical time of year when the Sandhill cranes migrate through central Nebraska in the spring. And during this time, volunteers have the opportunity to connect with visitors and form connections with like-minded individuals who share the same passion to protect wildlife and experience migration together. It is an experience unlike any other. Crane Season is when we need volunteers the most. It’s our busiest time of year, as people travel from across the world to witness one of the largest migrations left on the planet. During this season, volunteers take on a variety of roles from leading guided tours, to greeting guests, to teaching Crane Behavior Basics classes, or even lending a hand in the gift shop. Crane Season wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of volunteers.

Facts about Rowe’s volunteer program

213 Active Volunteers
8,246 Total Volunteer Hours during the Audubon Fiscal Year (July 2024-June 2025)
6,172 Volunteer hours during Crane Season 2025 (March- April 2025)
2,074 Volunteer hours doing Conservation, Education, and Center Shifts during the Fiscal Year (July 2024-June 2025)

What our volunteers say about Rowe

“Volunteering at Rowe was really amazing to me because every day no matter how early or late it was people were out there and excited about nature. The passion that all the people visiting and those that work there is evident and was so inspiring to me as someone who shares a passion for nature as well.” - Alex Hasenauer, Rowe Volunteer.

“Volunteering at Rowe during crane season is an unforgettable experience. Being surrounded by Sandhill cranes for a week is a feast for the senses--hearing them chatter in the river early in the morning, seeing them fly off into the meadows and corn fields in huge flocks. But, what I love even more is the people. Getting to show the visitors from all over that this slice of Platte is unique, and that our grasslands and rivers are worth exploring and protecting, is incredibly rewarding.” - Rita Cunha, Rowe Volunteer.

“To volunteer at Rowe is to have your heart cracked open by the wild exuberance of Sandhill Cranes in their sacred dance with the Platte River in the Land of the Flat Waters. A dance that is at once both ancient and brand new” - Sylvia Marchetti, Rowe Volunteer.

Rewards of volunteering

Volunteering at Rowe Sanctuary offers more than just fulfilling shifts—it’s an immersive experience in conservation, education, and community. Research has proven a strong link between time in nature and improved mental health, but recent findings suggest that active participation brings even greater rewards. A 2023 study compared environmental volunteering programs with natural experience programs, where participants simply spent time in nature without hands-on volunteer tasks. The study found that volunteers reported greater health benefits from nature, a stronger sense of place, and deeper human–nature connections (Chou et al. 2023). Importantly, the volunteering experience also encouraged more pro-environmental behaviors that can trickle to other endeavors, showing the impact that volunteering in nature can bring to peoples’ lives.

Volunteering is also beneficial, because it creates community. The long-lasting friendships and connections amongst Rowe’s volunteers have showcased how unique and special the sanctuary and the volunteer program is to many.

From a Grassroots Legacy

Audubon’s involvement on the Platte River began as a grassroots volunteer effort in the 1970s, fighting dam project proposals that would result in negative effects on habitat and wildlife.  From this foundation, Rowe Sanctuary was established in 1974.  Since our inception, volunteers have played an important part in the conservation and education efforts of the organization.  It’s a legacy that has continued and allowed for growth and expansion of the volunteer program here. And today, that same spirit of dedication and community continues to shape Rowe Sanctuary, ensuring that its mission thrives for generations to come.

Whether you are passionate about bird watching, environmental education, or working in nature, there’s something for everyone at Rowe Sanctuary.

Ready to Get Involved?

1.     Apply— online rowe.audubon.org

2.     Background check & onboarding—after submitting an application and background check, the volunteer coordinator - Katie Moore, will call to discuss volunteer interests and projects.

3.     If you want to specifically volunteer for Crane Season 2026, please submit your application by November 15, 2025.

4.     Housing is available for volunteers during certain times of the year. Please inquire with your application for more information.

Citations:

Chou, Wan-Yu, et al. “Volunteering in Nature: A Win-Win Strategy for Healthy People and Healthy Nature.” 2023.