Nebraska Bird Partnership

Bird of the Month:  Whooping Crane

Whooping Crane is the largest bird in North America, so if you are one of the fortunate few out of thousands of crane watchers to spot one among the Sandhill Cranes this March, you won't mistake it.  Less than 300 individuals remain in the wild.

Whooping Crane is a Nebraska Bird Partnership priority species for conservation during the nonbreeding season.  Visit the Whooping Crane species profile to learn more about Whooping Crane in Nebraska.

Conservation Calendar

• Mar 2:  Prescribed Burn Training (Advanced), St Paul.
• Mar 4:  Prescribed Burn Training, Denton.
• Mar 6:  Strawbale Design and Construction Seminar, Southeast Community College, Lincoln.  Call Nancy Holman to register, 402-437-2712.
• Mar 11:  Prescribed Burn Training, West Point.
• Mar 12:  Prescribed Burn Training, Humboldt.
• Mar 12-14:  Conservation Education Conference #8, Kearney.  Call Heather for more information, 402-471-5662.
• Mar 18-21:  40th Annual Rivers and Wildlife Celebration, Kearney.
• Mar 19:  Nebraska Bird Partnership Education Workgroup Meeting, 10:30am, Kearney.
• Mar 19:  Nebraska Bird Partnership 5th Annual Awards Ceremony, noon, Kearney.
• Mar 19:  Nebraska Bird Partnership Steering Committee Meeting, 1:30pm, Kearney.
• Mar 20-21:  Botanical Illustration Workshop, Omaha.
• Mar 26:  Nominations due for the 3rd Annual Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy.
• Apr 1:  Nebraska Environmental Trust Board Meeting, Lincoln.
• Apr 10-18:  3rd Annual Nebraska Wildlife Fire Academy, Ft Robinson, Chadron.

Spotlight on Partners:  Platte River Basin Environments

Submitted by Brad McKinney

Platte River Basin Environments, Inc. (PRBE) is a 501(c)(3) corporation formed by a group of sportsmen of western Nebraska concerned about the deteriorating conditions of important wildlife habitat and the need to properly manage the wondrous natural areas in the North Platte River basin. The challenge and mission accepted by PRBE is to preserve, conserve, enhance and restore vital wildlife habitat and natural areas within the North Platte River basin and adjacent watersheds with a commitment to applying sound environmental science to determining projects to be undertaken, restoration work to be completed, enhancements to be done, and areas to be conserved and preserved.

In Nebraska, where 97% of lands are privately owned, public lands are a much treasured asset. Since 1991, PRBE has acquired and opened up nearly 30,000 acres of wild and scenic lands to the public. The public is not charged any fees to access PRBE-owned properties.  Co-founder and 2010 Nebraskan of the Year Hod Kosman will be discussing this western Nebraska grassroots conservation effort at the 40th Annual Rivers and Wildlife Celebration later this month.

PRBE's Bead Mountain Ranch

Geese at South Mitchell

For nearly 20 years, PRBE has been opening up new areas for public, nature-based recreation to include hiking, hunting, photography, bird watching, fishing and other outdoor activities that encourage community participation and facilitate the preservation of our heritage. Public use is managed in such a way that protects and preserves wildlife habitat and our area's unique natural and cultural resources.

“Charismatic” wildlife species found within the PRBE properties include: Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Mountain Lion, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Bobcat, and nesting Golden Eagle. At-risk species found within PRBE properties are given special management consideration and include: Nuttall Desert Parsley, Short-stem Wild Buckwheat, Burrowing Owl, Fringe-tailed Myotis Bat, Plains Topminnow, Short-eared Owl, Swift Fox, and many more.

PRBE has a commitment to utilize community resources through volunteer efforts and involvement of other concerned organizations and groups. PRBE partners with many conservation organizations and government agencies to accomplish goals benefiting wildlife and natural resources of these areas. All of PRBE's accomplishments to-date have been through the generous donations of time and money provided by our partners. With the help of such partners, PRBE has raised well over $20 million toward partial payment for land acquisitions. Most recently, in 2008, Field & Stream magazine awarded PRBE $5,000 in cash and over $35,000 in needed equipment.

Visit the Platte River Basins Environment webpage to learn more.