DU Supports Audubon's Wildlife Viewing Project
Donation helps purchase 577 acres for waterfowl, wildlife and visitors
Donation helps purchase 577 acres for waterfowl, wildlife and visitors
Ducks Unlimited helped purchase a 577-acre property for wildlife viewing near Kearny Nebraska. The pull-out area at Audubons Rowe Sanctuary is just west of the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center, overlooking a wet meadow and portion of the south channel of the Platte River. These meadows are important habitat for cranes, waterfowl, grassland birds, and many more animals and insects. They are rich with diversity and important to a healthy river ecosystem.
The viewing area provides ample parking and features a viewing fence through which guests can watch cranes that commonly use the meadow for feeding and as a loafing area.
In addition to Ducks Unlimited, Audubons partners on the project included The Nebraska Environmental Trust, Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, Nebraskas Natural Legacy Project, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, Central Platte Natural Resources District, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, Main Street Design, and Prairie Plains Resource Institute.
This project isnt unique, stated Autumn Taddicken, Rowes Project Manager. Nearly every conservation success on the Platte River is a story about conservation organizations, government agencies, private landowners, donors, volunteers, business, media, and community members coming together to create positive outcomes for wildlife.