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 migrating whooping cranes during the spring and fall migration. The area is also very important for threatened and endangered species such as the bald eagle, interior least tern, piping plover and many grassland bird species.

Tour Highlights

• Opt to visit the famous Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha on arrival
• Visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, a world famous zoo with a strong conservation mission
• Visit the Switzer Family Ranch to learn about sustainable grazing and prairie and Greater Prairie-Chicken habitat management
• Experience hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Crane as they roost, feed, and sing along the Platte River
• Witness a “crane rise” at dawn as clouds of cranes awake with a cacophony of sound
• Enjoy the crane spectacle from The Conservancy’s private blinds, tucked on the edge of the Platte River

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Sun.,  Mar. 14    Arrivals in Omaha

Welcome to Nebraska! Arrive in Omaha today, no later than 5:00 PM. Those arriving early have a chance to visit the famous Joslyn Art Museum depending on weather and your interests. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner, followed by remarks by local TNC staff who update us on current work in Nebraska with wetland and prairie initiatives. Meet your fellow traveling companions, host, and expert naturalist guides.
Overnight at Courtyard Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area (D)

Mon., Mar. 15     Omaha Zoo | Ord

This morning, experience Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, a world famous zoo with a strong conservation mission. From here, head west, passing through agricultural lands dotted by woodlands associated with the scenic North Loup River. Welcome to the matchless Sandhills region of Nebraska! Simple and comfortable, enjoy some rural American hospitality at the local Cobblestone Inn & Suites and catered dinner.
Overnight at Cobblestone Inn, Ord (B,L,D)

Tues., Mar. 16      Switzer Family Ranch | Grand Island

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the Switzer family ranch near Burwell. This 12,000-acre diversified cattle ranch has been in the family since1904. We pass along the shores of Calamus Reservoir, looking for Bald Eagles and other birds and wildlife. After a warm welcome at the ranch, we board 4-wheel drive vehicles for an overland ranch tour to give you a feel for how ranch operations blend with wildlife management. We may find Mule Deer, Trumpeter Swans, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawks (the Harlan’s form is common here) and more.

We enjoy a catered lunch in the ranch house, where Sarah (Switzer) Sortum shares her expertise on conservation of the Nebraska Sandhills region. Sarah grew up on the ranch and returned in 2006 with her husband, Mark, to raise their children. Sarah has worked closely with The Nature Conservancy and the local Gracie Creek Landowners Trust on varied projects designed to protect Greater Prairie-Chickens and the endangered blowout penstemon using grazing as a tool.

Then it’s on to Grand Island where we settle into accommodations.
Overnight at Candlewood, Grand Island, NE (B,L,D)

Wed., Mar. 17      Platte River Prairies

Breakfast is at the hotel before heading to the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, one of Grand Island’s top attractions. We spend the morning exploring the museum and learning about the rich history of community in this region. This living history museum showcases like in the times of settlement, and features collections and materials on over 200 acres and within 100 different structures—there are also interior galleries that have rotating exhibits, such as artwork about the Sandhills and their cranes as well voices and experiences from inhabitants of of the Platte River Valley, old and new.

We move this afternoon to The Conservancy’s property that has three different crane viewing blinds we want you to experience. We enjoy an early catered dinner at the Derr House and a presentation about TNC’s Sandhill Crane conservation efforts. Afterwards, we walk to the Conservancy’s private blinds tucked on the edge of the Platte River. We are in place before birds start to come in to roost, then watch as huge numbers pack into the river’s sand islands. Sunset colors illuminate the beauty of this epic wildlife spectacle.
Overnight at Candlewood, Grand Island, NE (B,L,D)

Thurs., Mar. 18    Crane Rise | Platte River Prairies

In the early morning hours, we experience our first “Crane Rise” from a private viewing from blinds at TNC’s Platte River Prairies. Pre-dawn crane music turns into a crescendo of wake-up calls as the cranes awaken and leave their riverine roost sites. Witness the “gray sandbar islands” of the Platte River turn into clouds of Sandhill Cranes leaving their roost sites.The sight and sounds on any morning are something to behold. Return to the cozy ambiance of TNC’s Derr House on the preserve; over a catered brunch, learn more about the biology and conservation of Sandhill Cranes and other species along Nebraska’s Platte River system. 

This afternoon we head to the Crane Trust for some birding and to visit their wonderful visitors center for some gift shopping. The visitor center is open to guests year round. Inside we can see their interactive Flyway Map and migratory species display. The gift shop boasts magnificent photographs and art in the gallery. A dormant pollinator garden is out the back doors and there is a small research herd of American Bison, as well as a 35-foot observation tower.

Dinner is at a favorite local restaurant.
Overnight at Candlewood, Grand Island, NE (B,L,D)

Fri., Mar. 19     Departures

After breakfast, we pack up our luggage and head back to Omaha, a two-and-a-half-hour drive. Please book your flights no earlier than 2:00 PM. (B)

 

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the journey is $4790 DBL / $5290 SGL per person based on occupancy, from Omaha, Nebraska.

Cost includes: all accommodations; all meals as stated in the itinerary; group airport transfers; ground transportation; professional guide services; park, preserve, and other activity fees; and miscellaneous program expenses.

Tour price does not include: round trip airfare to and from Omaha, Nebraska, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, porterage, telephone charges, or alcoholic beverages. Gratuities for your guides and other staff are not included; these are at your discretion, but highly appreciated and recommended.

 

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival & Departure Airport: Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Arrival Details: Plan to arrive March 14, 2027, no later than 5:00 PM

Departure Details: Plan March 19, 2027 flights leaving after 2:00 PM from Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA) 

Hotel Recommendations: If you are arrving early and want to stay in the same hotel as the tour the Courtyard Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area is a great hotel.  

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

• Dave Mehlman
  

  Dave is a naturalist with interests in birds, migration, ecosystems and natural disturbances, plants, and gardening. He holds a PhD from the University of New Mexico. Dave worked for The Nature Conservancy for 25+ years as Director of its Migratory Bird Program. He has researched in Latin American and the Caribbean. An avid birder, Dave enjoys teaching about natural habitats and local cultures. He has published papers in scientific and popular journals.

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• Chris Newton
  

  Chris developed a passion for birding early, joining Christmas Bird Counts across the Northeast with his father. His birding journey has since taken him from California to Florida, with Arizona remaining a perennial favorite. He studied Forestry and Agriculture in northern Vermont, concentrating on mammal and avian behavior, before moving to North Carolina to serve as Curator of Birds at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, working hands-on with global waterfowl species in a managed setting. After seven years in North Carolina, he joined Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where he has managed both birds and African hoofstock. He now serves as Zoological Manager of the Night Team. Beyond his professional work, he and his wife conduct ecological surveys in Central Florida, contributing to research on Crested Caracaras, Snail Kites, Bald Eagles, Sand Skinks, and Gopher Tortoises—reflecting a career-long commitment to conservation. Birding has remained a constant throughout his life along the East Coast. In 2019, he reached a major milestone with his 700th North American species: a Ruddy Ground Dove in Arizona, shared with his father. Now based in Polk City, Florida, he takes great joy in guiding and helping birders discover new species—and looks forward to finding exciting lifers together.

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