Nebraska PRE-TRIP ITINERARY MARCH 18-25, 2018

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1 Sandhill Cranes coming to roost Chris Helzer PRE-TRIP ITINERARY Nebraska A SPECIAL NATURE CONSERVANCY DEPARTURE MARCH 18-25, 2018 Estimated Price: $2995 per person, double occupancy, $3490 per person single occupancy Trip cost is based on a minimum of 10 participants in shared accommodations. Final trip costs will be based on actual number of participants. Witness two spectacular wildlife events; the gathering of hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes along Nebraska s Platte River, and an ancient spring rite of passage prairie chickens and grouse on their leks on a working ranch in the Sandhills. The Platte River s Sandhill Cranes were recently featured in National Geographic s Great Migrations. These two close-encounters are one of North America s most impressive events join us this spring on the Platte! The Conservancy has protected over 107,000 acres in Nebraska through fee-title ownership, easements and deed restrictions, and assisting others with land transactions. We work in partnership with our state s farmers and ranchers to promote good stewardship. Join us to see this landscape and these birds in action! Preliminary Trip Itinerary 1

2 Itinerary Actual time and activities may change depending on availability, schedules, weather and opportunities TRIP AT A GLANCE Day 1 Arrive in Omaha, welcome dinner Day 2 Omaha s Henry Doorly Zoo; Sandhill Cranes en route to Kearney Day 3 Dawn Crane Rise at TNC s Blind; Explore the Rainwater Basin Day 4 Museum of Nebraska Art; TNC Preserve Field Trip & Sunset at the Blinds Day 5 Great Platte River Road Archway; Local Farmhouse Feast & Sunset Crane Watching Day 6 Sandhills of the Calamus River Region; Ranch Tour at Switzer Ranch Day 7 Greater Prairie Chicken Lek; a Prairie Walk; Explore Calamus Reservoir Day 8 Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek; Drive back to Omaha s airport for departures Preliminary Trip Itinerary 2

3 Black-eyed susan Chris Helzer Trip Overview Located between Grand Island and Kearney, Nebraska, The Nature Conservancy s Platte River Prairies are a chain of grasslands and wetlands that are managed for biological diversity. The Conservancy owns ten tracts of land totaling 4,981 acres along the Platte River, and has four easements on 2,816 more. We ve restored about 1,500 acres of cropland to high-diversity prairie in an effort to enlarge and reconnect fragments of native prairie - and now we manage them with a combination of prescribed fire and grazing. The stretch of the Platte River known as the Big Bend Reach is the most important migratory bird area along the United States portion of the Central Flyway of North America. The Platte and its adjacent wet meadows in the Big Bend region provide habitat for millions of migratory birds including some 500,000 Sandhill Cranes and millions of ducks and geese. It is an important stopover location for rare Whooping Cranes during the spring and fall migration. Other wildlife you may see in the Platte River Prairies include the Bald Eagle, Mule Deer, Red Fox, and Black-tailed Prairie Dog. The Nature Conservancy has been working along the Platte for three decades. The Conservancy selected the Platte River as a priority site because of its significant upland and wetland habitat for migratory water birds and native resident plants and animals. Twenty years ago, the Conservancy was experimenting with concepts in the Platte River Prairies that are now widely accepted. Along with many partners, the Conservancy has helped to hone and demonstrate the methods of restoring crop fields to very diverse prairie plant communities and then worked with state and federal agencies to make those methods accessible for private landowners. The Conservancy was among the early proponents of prescribed fire as a valuable management tool for grasslands and woodlands and have helped make that tool more widely accepted. Some of the most important work our Nebraska office has done may be experimenting with the use of fire and cattle grazing to create wildlife habitat, suppress invasive species, and maintain the species diversity and resilience of prairies. Learn more as we experience the diverse flora and fauna of the Platte River Prairies with experts! Our work in this region is contributing to our global goal of safeguarding 60,000 miles of the world s most precious sources of fresh water. As the global population soars, demands for food, energy and shelter are putting unprecedented pressure on our planet and water is at the heart of this crisis. The Nature Conservancy s plan is to fundamentally change the way our most precious resource water is used and managed so that nature and people can thrive together. Our work in Nebraska is also contributing to our shared conservation agenda of conserving 500 million acres of forests, grasslands and working lands. Protecting land is where The Nature Conservancy s story began. It is our legacy and our future. Preliminary Trip Itinerary 3

4 Day 1: SUNDAY, MARCH 18TH Evening Overnight Arrive in Omaha, Nebraska Visit either the Joslyn Art Museum or Lauritzen Gardens: Omaha s Botanic Gardens Welcome dinner and presentation Magnolia Hotel Arrive in Omaha, Nebraska today, no later than 5 p.m. Those arriving by 2PM (or a night early) will have a chance to visit their choice of the Joslyn Art Museum, or Omaha s Botanical Center, Lauritzen Gardens. Tonight, join us for a welcome dinner, followed by a presentation by an expert Nature Conservancy staff member, who will update us on current work in Nebraska with wetland and prairie initiatives. Find out why the future of the expansive Platte River is in doubt. Challenges to the Platte include drought, invasive vegetation choking out the main channel, and growing competition for water up and down the system. Over 80 percent of the native grasslands and wet meadows associated with the Platte River have been lost to agricultural production. Meet your fellow traveling companions, your Conservancy host, and your expert naturalist guides at this enjoyable evening. During the week we may have special opportunities. One is to meet the distinguished biologist, Dr. Paul Johnsgard, a world-authority on waterfowl and cranes. He has authored numerous books, and a copy of his latest, Sandhill and Whooping Cranes: Ancient Voices over America s Wetlands will be waiting for you as a gift. Dr. Johnsgard is a great fan of Sandhill Cranes, Nebraska wildlife and the prairie. Day 2: MONDAY, MARCH 19TH Views near Grand Island Harold E. Malde Sandhill Cranes near Platte River Harold E. Malde Morning Evening Overnight Breakfast, Visit Omaha s Henry Doorly Zoo Lunch at York, View Snow Geese Sandhill Cranes encounter outside Grand Island Arrive in Kearney, Dinner at favoite local restaurant Hampton Inn, Kearney We will start our day by visiting the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. The Center for Conservation and Research at Omaha s Zoo has built a vigorous program of scientific investigation in the fields of molecular genetics, reproductive physiology, nutrition, plant micro propagation and conservation medicine. We will later head west from Omaha toward Grand Island, stopping stop for lunch and watching Snow Goose at York before arriving outside Grand Island. Preliminary Trip Itinerary 4

5 Just outside Grand Island, we encounter large groups of Sandhill Cranes, what a sight! Farm roads parallel the Interstate and the course of the Platte River here; from a quiet spot we can observe cranes in agricultural fields and pastures. Sandhill Cranes are busy feeding and gaining weight for the remainder of their long migration and nesting success. We watch them feed, but also watch them displace their energies with dancing, calling and other displays, or by rising and riding thermal updrafts. Today s viewing is just an introduction to these magnificent birds a taste of that to come later in the week. It is estimated that of all 15 crane species in the world, Sandhill Cranes are the most numerous and wide-ranging. Yet, around 90 percent of them stop by a 100-mile stretch of Nebraska s Platte River during their spring migration before going to their breeding grounds in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. Audubon s Rowe Sanctuary Daniel Ruf We arrive in Kearney in time to settle into our accommodations. Day 3: TUESDAY, MARCH 20TH Morning Experience a crane rise at TNC blinds Mid-morning Brunch Driving tour of Rainwater Basin Evening Group dinner, Optional crane viewing Overnight Hampton Inn, Kearney In the early morning hours, we experience our first crane rise as the gray sandbar islands of the Platte River turn into clouds of Sandhill Cranes leaving their roost sites. Pre-dawn crane music turns into a crescendo of wake-up calls as the cranes awaken and leave their riverine roost sites. This morning, nearby, we have reserved blinds at The Nature Conservancy s blinds for prime views of the cranes in areas along the river s edge. We will experience the almost deafening chorus and clamor of tens of thousands of cranes taking flight toward the cornfields and prairies where they will forage during the day. We can also watch birds at the feeders: Harris, White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows, White-breasted Nuthatches, and possibly Red-bellied Woodpeckers. The story of the Platte is remarkable learn more as your guides demonstrate former channels from centuries ago. Blue-winged teal at Rainwater Basin Chris Helzer Enjoy a hearty brunch then venture out to view wetlands of the western portion of the Rainwater Basin, and if active, a prairie dog town. The Rainwater Basin, on the Central Flyway, is a vital feeding area for 7-9 million ducks and over 5 million geese: White-fronted, Snow, Ross s and Canada. Nebraska s Rainwater Basin was named a Landscape of Hemispheric Importance for shorebirds by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Preliminary Trip Itinerary 5

6 After our driving tour of the Rainwater Basin, we return to Kearney for a rest and dinner. Avid crane watchers can choose an optional sunset viewing spot once again. Day 4: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21ST Morning Evening Overnight Breakfast, Nebraska Museum of Art, downtown Kearney TNC s Prairie Reserve field trip & staff presentation Sunset crane watching at TNC Blinds Hampton Inn, Kearney This morning you can take it easy, or visit the Nebraska Museum of Art in downtown Kearney, with its impressive collection of landscape and western art. After lunch downtown, we highlight the important work of prairie restoration on an informative visit to The Nature Conservancy s preserve. Learn from the experts in the field and during a TNC presentation. Then, this evening, take in the spectacle of sunset crane watching from private blinds of The Nature Conservancy. Listen to cascading calls of thousands of cranes as they come in to roost for the night unforgettable! Day 5: THURSDAY, MARCH 22ND Early morning Optional Crane Viewing Morning Breakfast, Fort Kearney, Great Platte River Archway Observe crane behavior en route to our special farmhouse feast at Burchell s White Hill Farmhouse Evening A final night of fabulous crane viewing from the Gibbon Bridge Overnight Hampton Inn Black-tailed Prairie Dog Mark Godfrey Eastern portion of Rainwater Basin Chris Helzer This morning provides a great chance to learn the history of the area, both at Fort Kearney and the Great Platte River Archway. Learn more about the native inhabitants, and migration across the Oregon and Mormon trails. The Fort has been restored and gives a great feel for this period of history. The Archway is a modern, interactive walk through time -- fun! After lunch and a break, we head out to sample what the Sandhill Cranes are doing in the fields, bound for a local feast, farmhouse style. We dine early to be in place for sunset crane viewing as our grand finale for this section of the tour, at the Gibbon Bridge, a great viewing site. Sunset Crane Watching Chris Helzer Preliminary Trip Itinerary 6

7 Day 6: FRIDAY, MARCH 23RD Morning Evening Breakfast, Drive to the Sandhills of the Calamus River region Lunch in Burwell, Ranch Tour of Bill and Sue Switzer s Ranch Western dinner and sunset viewing at the prairie Today, enjoy breakfast and prepare for our drive north to the Sandhills of the Calamus River region - to our accommodations for the next two nights at Calamus Outfitters. We depart after breakfast and have lunch en route at a local restaurant at Burwell. As a welcome to the ranch, owned by Bill and Sue Switzer, we are taken on a special ranch tour to give you a feel for how ranching activities blend with wildlife conservation. We may find Mule Deer, Trumpeter Swans, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawks (the Harlan s form is common here) and more. The Switzer Ranch is a 12,000-acre cow/calf operation that has been in the family for 107 years. As evening approaches, we watch the sunset over the prairie and enjoy a western dinner at our lodgings. Greater Prairie Chicken Harvey Payne Day 7: SATURDAY, MARCH 24TH Morning Observe Greater Prairie Chickens, Breakfast at the ranch Observe wildlife near Calamus Reservoir Lunch at the ranch, Nap or quiet time to re-energize Observe wildlife in the reservoir Evening Group dinner with TNC staff Overnight Calamus Outfitters Switzer Ranch Chris Helzer This morning we rise before dawn to be able to witness the spring courtship rites of Greater Prairie Chickens. By this time in March they have started their dawnhour dancing and booming at lek (dancing ground) display sites. Sharp-tailed Grouse may also be displaying at these sites. With luck, we ll also hear a dawn concert of Western Meadowlarks and watch Northern Harriers hunting near the lek site. Our hosts at Calamus Outfitters have set up a great system for observing Greater Prairie Chickens at close range. Our blind is an old school bus and the birds are right outside the windows! Bring cameras (no flash) and binoculars and watch with fascination this age-old courtship ritual. Preliminary Trip Itinerary 7

8 By 8:00 9:00 AM, activity at the lek will diminish and we return to the ranch for a delicious hot breakfast. After breakfast, we make a short trip over to wooded areas near Calamus Reservoir where we hope to encounter numerous Bald Eagles and other wildlife. After lunch, a nap or quiet time is likely in order to re-energize from your early morning. Late afternoon, we may take a drive up to a nearby creek where warm springs provide open water for waterfowl and Horned Larks feed on prairie hillsides that line the road. Or we may go over and check out Bald Eagle activity at a different area of the reservoir. This evening, a Conservancy Nebraska staff member joins us for dinner and a presentation about the Nebraska agriculture program. Day 8: SUNDAY, MARCH 25TH Morning Optional trip to observe teh Sharp-tailed Grouse lek Breakfast at the ranch, drive back to Omaha Fligths out at 2 p.m. This morning, those that wish may venture out early once again to witness the annual spring courtship rites of another elusive grassland species, the Sharptailed Grouse. It is remarkable to have displays of two species available for our viewing with such ease. It will be a great opportunity to compare the differences in behavior of the two species. The spring air is brisk, so we bundle up to drive out to another set of school bus blinds, and return again for a great hot breakfast. Killdeers call from the yard, and with luck we may watch a Rough-legged Hawk pass by overhead. After breakfast, we pack up our luggage and start heading back to Omaha, timing our departure to meet flights out after 2 PM. We can also drop those staying over for morning flights the next day off at an airport hotel. Say farewell to Nebraska! We hope you leave Nebraska with a better understanding of the Conservancy s vital work to restore the Platte River Prairies and protect the biodiversity in this region. Sandhills at Switzer Ranch Chris Helzer Sharp-tailed Grouse David Charles THANK YOU FOR TRAVELING WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY. Sandhill Cranes Chris Helzer Preliminary Trip Itinerary 8