Visitor center at dusk
Welcome to

Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary

Discover adventure, birds, and how to make a difference at an ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ center.

44450 Elm Island Rd, Gibbon, NE 68840

Year-Round :

Closed

Crane Season (Feb. 17-April 10):

Open Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Our Mission

The ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Ì½»¨¾«Ñ¡'s Rowe Sanctuary is a 3,000-acre nature sanctuary located along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska. Rowe Sanctuary works to conserve and restore the Platte River ecosystem, focusing on cranes, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. 

About Us

TRAILS
Our trails are open daily from dawn to dusk; look for signage to indicate the trailhead location. Pets on a leash are only allowed in the parking lot and in a designated pet exercise area South of the parking lot. No pets are allowed on the trails.

 

How We Make a Difference
Sandhill Cranes at sunset
Platte River Initiative
Build a riverscape throughout the Platte River Basin that sustains thriving local communities and the ecosystems that birds depend on through trusting partnerships, community engagement, habitat restoration, and science-driven decision-making that balances numerous water needs in a changing climate.
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Workers on a prescribed burn at Spring Creek Prairie
Prescribed Fire in the Great Plains
Improve biodiversity and health of Great Plains Grasslands.
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Upcoming Events
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Jul
22
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildlife Wednesday Storytime - July 22, 2026
Gibbon, NE
Pre-K storytime
Jul
25
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary
The Art of Noticing: A Mindful Bird Walk
Gibbon, NE
Mindful Bird Walk
Jul
25
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Prairie Lights and Night Sights: Family Fun at Rowe
Gibbon, NE
Prairie at night
Jul
30
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildcrafting Prairie Medicines: Yarrow, Bee Balm, & Goldenrod
Gibbon, NE
Wildcrafting Prairie Medicines: Yarrow, Bee Balm, & Goldenrod
Aug
5
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Golden Hour Grasses: Nature Photography Workshop
Gibbon, NE
Nature Photography Workshop
Aug
15
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Native Landscape Design Workshop
Kearney, NE
Native Landscape Design Workshop
Aug
19
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Iain Nicolson ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Wildlife Wednesday Storytime and Hike at Rowe
Gibbon, NE
Storytime and Hike
Centers and Sanctuaries in the Great Plains
Spring Creek Prairie landscape
Spring Creek Prairie ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Denton, NE
Bathrooms
Binoculars to borrow
Exhibits
Group meeting space
Hiking trails
Blue skies and green grass
Edward M. Brigham III Sanctuary
Spiritwood, ND
Hiking trails
Leashed pets allowed
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Great Plains
We protect birds and the places they need in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, and throughout the hemisphere.
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Greater Prairie-Chickens spar.
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