Prairie Protection Expands! · Moonlight Ramble Saturday, February 15 - 5:30-7:30 p.m. During this popular evening hike we will explore and enjoy the winter prairie as day slips away

T h e Pr a i r i e S a g eWinter 2014

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is pleased to welcome its new Director, Roger Furrer. (Photo by Adrian Olivera.) Roger was born in Lincoln, and spent much of his time growing up either prowling a prairie pasture owned by his Great Aunt, Laura Francke, east of Lincoln, or canoeing the Niobrara River in the northern part of the state.

Roger has extensive experience in managing non-profit organizations, and worked in the Philippines, Hawaii, and Uganda before returning to Nebraska in 2004. In Hawaii, Roger worked for Hoa`Aina o Makaha, a community development project which seeks to link environmental education with sustainable community development.

He was also active in Malama Makua, a community organization working for the conservation and preservation of Makua Valley. Prior to coming to Spring Creek Prairie, Roger was Executive Director of Community Action of Nebraska, the network of the nine Community Action agencies in the state.

Roger lives with his wife, Malia Robinson, in southeastern Lancaster County. Both are Nebraska Master Naturalists, have been active volunteers at Homestead National Monument, and are attempting a small-scale prairie restoration on about an acre of land next to their home.

SCPAC Welcomes New Director

Prairie Protection Expands!Thanks to support from many champion prairie stewards, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center has recently saved 47 acres of prairie from housing development, bringing the Center’s total acreage to 850.

We are grateful for the kind donations of all who agreed that this prairie was too important not to be taken under Audubon’s wing. Our sincerest thanks to: J. A. Woollam Foundation, Jennifer and Randy Speers, Donlan Foundation, GR’s Foundation, Mosby Lincoln Foundation, Judy and Jeff Greenwald, Curt and Carolyn McConnell, Doug and Mary Campbell, Allen Freye, Union Bank and Trust Co., Don and Judy Dworak, Lana and Lon Flagtwet, UBS Financial Services, Cindy and Dana Rose, C. John Guenzel, Donald Campbell, Gerry and Kit Dimon, Christy and Pete Dionisopoulos, Steve Gage, Lorraine Ford and Sean Barnawell, Allison and Gary Petersen, Neal Ratzlaff, Keith and Sherry Schafer, Julie Schroeder, Lisa and Tom Smith, Linda Brown, Bob and Candy Campbell, Mark and Dee Hutchins, Trixie and Dave Schmidt, Art and Carol Thompson, Mari Lane Gewecke, Ferne Furrer, Dave Palm and Alice Henneman, Chris and Tyler Thody, Meg and Jim Lauerman, Sue Quambusch and Len Sloup, and two anonymous donors. Additional

thanks to Cline Williams Wright Johnson Oldfather, LLC. A celebration will be scheduled when the weather warms up.

The map shows the new parcel located on the south side of West Bennet Road, with the boundaries of Spring Creek Prairie in red. Acquisition and protection of this prairie

New Addition

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center

continued on page 4

2 The Prairie Sage

From the Director

Warmest greetings in the midst of Winter:

It has been an exciting whirlwind of activities in the few days since I joined the staff here at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. Since returning to the Lincoln area in 2004, the Center has been a cherished location for reconnecting with Nebraska’s unique environment.

Being named the Center Director has been an honor and privilege which I haven’t taken lightly. But despite the inevitable questions about transitions, getting to know the staff, volunteers, board members, and partners has felt more like a homecoming than taking on a new job.

In the midst of the human transitions, the Prairie has remained a dynamic and growing place. This Autumn was arguably one of the most spectacular seasons in memory in terms of the color and vibrancy of the foliage and the diversity of the birds and mammals folks have sighted.

The addition of 47 acres on the southern edge of the property has enhanced our capacity to sustain the vibrant community entrusted to our stewardship (see front page article). We are grateful for the passion all of you share in caring for this special place.

Roger Furrer

After years of planning and fundraising, we are excited to announce that new education exhibits will be installed in the Ethel S. Abbott Grand Prairie Hall in 2014. The exhibits will give visitors a better understanding and appreciation of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, and of the prairie’s impact, not only on plants and animals, but on people as well. They will also serve as a catalyst for visitors to make their own

discoveries outdoors in the prairie. After a national search, InterActive Group out of Columbus, Ohio, is designing and constructing the displays.

Details of the exhibits, including dates of special previews, will be forthcoming in future newsletters, as well as on our Facebook page and e-mail announcements.

If you would like to receive The Prairie Sage by e-mail, write [email protected] or call 402/797-2301.

Tim Knott’s commitment to the conservation and stewardship of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem led to him being the recipient of Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center’s Tallgrass Prairie Champion Award for 2013.

For forty years, Tim has played a significant role in preserving and protecting tallgrass prairies. His expertise in prairie ecology and plant identification, plus his unending work ethic has helped to solidify Wachiska Audubon’s stewardship of tallgrass prairies. Tim has been committed to help students of all ages explore and discover prairies, arranging numerous events over the years to make that possible.

This award was developed to honor people whose work has had significant impact on tallgrass prairie conservation. Nominations are made by the Board members and staff of Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and the Wachiska Audubon Society.

New Education Exhibits!

SCPAC Tallgrass Prairie Champion – Tim Knott

The only thing constant is change! Former director Kristofer Johnson and former development director Matt Harvey have left Spring Creek Prairie for new opportunities. We sent them off with good food, good wishes, and thanks for their dedicated efforts for prairie conservation.

We appreciate the help of the search committee, Christie Dionisopoulos, Gerry Dimon, and Lana Flagtwet, for their successful efforts in hiring our new director.

tim Knott, center, receiving his award at the Wachiska Audubon meeting in December, with Spring creek Prairie

Director roger Furrer, left, and Audubon Nebraskaexecutive Director marian Langan, right.

Staff ChangesOur condolences to the Forke family on the loss of Marlene Forke. A special thank you to them for designating Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center as a beneficiary of memorials.

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Moonlight RambleSaturday, February 15 - 5:30-7:30 p.m.

During this popular evening hike we will explore and enjoy the winter prairie as day slips away into night. This ramble is recommended for adults and children over 12. $5/person.

Snug as a BugSaturday, March 8 - 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

We’ll collect leaf litter and logs, then explore what’s living inside with magnifiers. This program is appropriate for grades k-5 and designed for adult/child teams of 2 or 3. $6/adult and $4/child. Register by March 7.

Basket WeavingSaturday, April 19 - 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Local basket weaver, Judy Hart, will guide participants in creating a hand-woven tote basket. Participants should bring their own 3- or 5-gallon bucket, snap wooden clothespins, and plant pruners or clippers. Supplies will be provided as part of workshop fee. $75/person. Register by April 17.

NEW! Take Flight Family Bird WalkSaturday, May 17 - 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon.

Enjoy a family friendly hike and learn about birds that call Spring Creek Prairie home. Afterwards, create your own set of wings during a do-it-yourself kite building workshop. Families can bring additional kites to fly and are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the prairie following the program. Binoculars will be provided.$10/family, includes one kite kit. Register by May 15.

ProgramsDetails at www.springcreekprairie.org.

Register by e-mail ([email protected]) or 402-797-2301. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Class sizes limited. Payment collected on day of program; checks and credit cards accepted.

Upcoming Events

Audubon’s Nebraska Crane Festival

Audubon Nebraska will present its 44th annual sandhill crane celebration, Audubon’s Nebraska Crane Festival (formerly the Rivers and Wildlife Celebration), March 20-23 in Kearney. Participants can enjoy birding excursions including half-

and full-day birding trips, crane viewing blind trips, and an overnight trip to see prairie grouse. Workshops on crane behavior and nature photography will be offered.

Main speakers include Gary Langham, Chief Scientist for the National Audubon Society; Brian “Fox” Ellis, internationally acclaimed author, storyteller, and naturalist; and Marian Langan, Audubon Nebraska Executive Director.

Register at nebraskacranefestival.org. Information at 402-797-2301 or on Facebook. For crane viewing opportunities, visit rowe.audubon.org or call 308-468-5282.

Community Art Project

On Saturday, April 5, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Spring Creek Prairie will host a community art project. Local artist Susan Brasch will facilitate a hands-on art exercise to decorate a rain barrel as part of the Lincoln Watershed Management Office’s Artistic Rain Barrel Program (http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/watrshed/). All ages are welcome, and there is no fee or registration needed.

After the event, go to South Pointe Pavilion in south Lincoln to see barrels decorated by other artists.

Nebraska Master Naturalist Training

The Nebraska Master Naturalist Program is an adult education program focused on providing volunteers with hands-on experiences in Nebraska’s natural resources. Participants spend 60 hours with Nebraska’s finest educators, learning both in the classroom and in the field about topics such as Nebraska ecosystems, plants, animals, interpretation, and conservation. The next training sessions will take place in April, May, and June. Learn more at http://naturalist.unl.edu; e-mail [email protected].

www.springcreekprairie.org

* Remember, the Prairie Club meets the first Saturday of each month from 10 am-12 noon. All ages are welcome to explore what the tallgrass prairie is all about. Call Chris Thody, 402-797-2301; [email protected].

* The Great Backyard Bird Count is February 14-17. Visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

4 The Prairie Sage

Lily ReintroductionSpring Creek Prairie is collaborating with the Department for Plant Conservation at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to reintroduce the Turks-cap lily (Lilium canadense v. michiganense) to our site. Turks-cap lilies, once common in the tallgrass prairie, are now rare and listed as a Tier-II At-risk Species by the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project.

The Rare and Endangered Plant Lab at the zoo has developed a program in which they are propagating lily bulbs using tissue culture from samples rescued from prairies in Douglas and Sarpy counties. They are working to reintroduce the cloned plants back into their native habitat and Spring Creek was chosen as one of the locations to re-establish populations of this plant. University of Nebraska at Omaha students assisted Spring Creek Prairie staff with the planting efforts.

A special thanks to Margaret From and Melanie Landry from the Henry Doorly Zoo Rare and Endangered Plant Lab for asking us to participate in their program.

Our sixth Tastes in the Tallgrass outdoor dinner fund-raising event was our most successful ever! Over 200 people were treated to a beautiful September evening and helped raised more than $40,000 for conservation and education programs at Spring Creek Prairie. Our thanks to committee co-chairs Christie Dionisopoulos and Lana Flagtwet, and committee members, for their help and enthusiasm.

Music was provided by The Lightning Bugs (Steve Hanson, Reynold Peterson, and Jim Pipher). Guests were served dinner prepared by Kim Morock from Tastefully Yours, wine from Meier’s Cork and Bottle, and local beer from Empyrean Ales.

Generous local artists, craftspeople, restaurants, and property owners donated for an auction and raffle: William H. Browne III; Ervin Dixon; Cindy Doné; Cliff Hollestelle; The Oven; Telesis, Inc.; Bruce Wendorff; and Mary Zicafoose. Fielding the bids was auctioneer and Board Member

Bruce Wright. The night’s emcee was Board member Sam Seever.

More kudos go to Fayrene Hamouz from the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences for organizing UNL student volunteer servers. Finally, we thank the following for their in-kind donations: Burchell’s White Hill Farmhouse Inn; Crete True Value Hardware; Cultiva Espresso & Crepes; Christie and Pete Dionisopoulos; Lana and Lon Flagtwet; Greg and Sheri Hurlbut; Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary; Omalink, Inc.; and Russ’s Market.

Hundreds Savor Fund-raiser

Julie crawford enjoys dinner attastes in the tallgrass.

Prairie Protection continued from page 1

will increase the area we manage for the benefit of plants, wildlife, and residents of Nebraska. Plans are underway to restore it to healthy and diverse tallgrass prairie. Trees and shrubs will be removed, and the area will be brought into our system of prescribed burns.

A bird survey was conducted last summer to obtain baseline data of what breeding species use this area. Surveys will continue the next few years to show the impact of our habitat management practices on the number and breeding success of birds dependent on prairies, such as bobolinks and meadowlarks.

Another important outcome from this purchase is that we can ensure a large portion of the view of Spring Creek Prairie’s southern horizon from our visitor center will not be interrupted by residential development. Housing pressures are great in the region, and this particular area was recently subdivided into two 20-acre lots. A good portion of the keystone view across the prairie toward an unbroken horizon is now protected.

Thanks to Matt Steinhausen for his work to salvage and repurpose the materials from the old house and barn, and to former SCPAC Board member Bill Edwards who helped clear trees and did numerous other helpful tasks.

Audubon Loses Friend

Audubon lost a dear friend last year when Mitzi Fox of Albion passed away. Mitzi’s legacy to conservation and to Nebraska is amazing and she will be missed by many. Her generosity has made it possible for habitat at many beautiful natural sites to be protected, and created opportunities for thousands of children to experience Nebraska’s wild places. Our condolences to the Fox family.

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Thank You, Prairie Supporters!Spring Creek Prairie would not be possible without all the creative generosity of the people in our community. We rely both on financial support (listed on pages 6 and 7) and on gifts of time, energy, expertise, and resources. All of these gifts help us fulfill our mission. Listed below is a fantastic group of people and businesses who help make our prairie “GO!”We wish to thank:

Crete Chamber of Commerce for donating supplies.David and Kathy Gates for providing a bench vise.Martin and Rene Meister for donating a shop-vac.Staff member Ben Mullarkey for giving several wrench sets.

Prairie Festival Highlights

Our annual Twilight on the Tallgrass prairie festival took place on a beautiful September evening. Kiowa tales were told around the campfire by Matthew “Sitting Bear” Jones, a gorgeous sunset and moonrise delighted guests, and delicious frozen custard from Culver’s was served.

Our thanks to the presenters along the Prairie Discovery Trail: Trudy Adams; Bill Clemente; Kristen, Todd, Barrett, and Lauren Eggerling; Kay Kottas; Dave Taylor; and Fred Baxendale, Bill Baxendale, and Betsy Baxendale and their crew consisting of Kaylee Baxendale, Kait Armitage, Amy Hauver, Kyle Koch, Elizabeth Lutz, Nicole Mann, Justin McMechan, Katie O’Brian, Ivy Orellana, Haley Oser, Travis Prochaska, and Kenny Roche. In addition, much gratitude for the support from the Lower Platte Natural Resources District, Cindy and Dana Rose, and Wachiska Audubon Society.

A Big Shout-Out to ThoseWho Have Helped Out

First, a big thank you to our wonderful volunteer Discovery Leaders. Spring Creek Prairie saw over 1,600 fourth graders from Lincoln Public Schools this fall during Prairie Immersion education field trips, and we couldn’t have provided such quality nature experiences without these great folks: Barbara DiBernard, Deb Hauswald, Ingrid Kirst, Kathryn Kucera, Gracie Morris, Jane Reinkordt, Ruthie Stearns, Peg Tilgner, and Moni Usasz. (A thank-you note from a student is below.)Also, many thanks to our volunteers who helped with events: Bill and Trudy Adams, Lilly Blasé, Sue Block, Paul Canny, Chloe Crawford, Bill Edwards, Jessica Jurzenski, Mary Klein, Jessica Korgie, Arnold Mendenhall, David Murphy, Peter Reinkordt, Shawn Roberts, and Pat and Rob Wikel.

Discovery Leaders Wanted

Do you enjoy spending time outside? Do you find delight in sharing wonder and discovery with others? If yes, you might be an ideal candidate to become a Discovery Leader! For information about volunteering and leading discovery as part of our public and school programs, contact Jamie Kelley at [email protected]. Other volunteer opportunities are available, so let us know if you would like to become involved as a volunteer.

Next Discovery Leader trainings for veteran leaders and interested persons:Sat., March 1, 9 am-12:30 pm- Refresher courseSat., March 29, 8:30 am-12:30 pm - Springtime activities

Needs List

Adobe Creative Suite softwareChain saw chaps/helmetLarge-capacity microwavePaper shredderParabolic microphoneUsed clothes dryerConcrete floor in machine shedVacuums (cordless and regular)Gift cards from local businesses$5 million endowmentBarrier-free improved trails

ScPAc habitat manager Ben mullarkey (left) poses with evan Lasauskas’s crew, who removed 1,500 feet of barbed wire fence from Spring creek Prairie’s new property (article on page 1). Thank you, crew!

6 The Prairie Sage

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center Donors

Prairie RootsCommunity Fund

Gifts received from August 8 through December 8, 2013.

$100-$499Shireen AdenwallaBruce and Marina BarrettPat and Ellen BeansChris and Judy BeutlerKatherine BrandenburgHoward and Susan BraschBecky and Gale BreedBob and Lana Browne

Judy and Jacque CarterRon and Karen CaseJames and Joan ChambersRobert and Micheline CreagerDebra and Mohamed DahabTom and Deanne DamkrogerJen DavidsonWilliam DavisBarbara DayMargaret and Ken DonlanDave and Torey DudleyKrista DudleyRick and Carolyn EdwardsCarl and Janet EskridgeG. Steven Ferris

Larry and Bets FrederickDavid and Anne FryeGene and Dorrie GageThomas GallagherRachel and Jim GarverRuth and Jay GerberMari Lane and John GeweckeMike Gloor and Marie de

MartinezJames GoekeTravis and Shauna GreenLily G. and Robert L. HansRon and Chris HarrisLinda Hillegass and Jim McKeeJeanne Johnson

Prairie Heritage$10,000 and aboveJulie Schroeder

Prairie Star$5,000-$9,999Lauren DavisAllison and Gary PetersenLinda Roos

Prairie Sky$2,500-$4,999Anonymous (1)Emilie and Dave EllingsonLana and Lon FlagtwetJohn GuenzelBarb and Bruce JohnsonCurt and Carolyn McConnellCindy and Dana Rose

Prairie Wind$1,000-$2,499Linda BrownBob and Candy CampbellDonald M. CampbellDoug and Mary CampbellNick and Ann CusickJames and Ginger DagerChristie and Pete DionisopoulosJudy and Don DworakKatherine and Richard EndacottMike Farrell and Lynne IrelandLorraine Ford and Sean

Barnawell

Ted ForkeJudy and Jeff GreenwaldCarr HeaneyJohn and Karen JanovyJohn and Hani KenefickCampbell McConnellDavid Murphy and Marian

LanganMary and Jim PipherJulie and Gale PokornyNeal Ratzlaff and Deb BercawJudye and Joe RuffoSteve and Claudia RussellKeith and Sherry SchaferTrixie and Dave SchmidtDan SemradSue and Tom TallmanRich and Karen Vierk

Prairie Spirit$500-$999Thomas BallardRobin and Rod BatesBecky and Gale BreedCecil and Loree BykerkJack CampbellGinna and Rich ClaussenGerry and Kit DimonJudy and Terry DoughertyJohn and Jane EllsworthAllen FreyeJeff and Ann HagamanMatt and Amy HarrisJudy and Matt Harvey

Deb HauswaldJames HruskaGreg and Sheri HurlbutDee and Mark HutchinsTom and Kathy JaudzemisElizabeth JenckesKristofer and Dori JohnsonRich and Winnie JohnsonHod and Willa KosmanMarc and Kathy LeBaronJenni Lesoing-Lucs and Norb

LucsArnold and Agnes MendenhallDave Michael and Kevin PoagueCindy and Bill MorrisJim and Patty NeidDiana NevinsRon and Judy ParksJim and Melanie PetersDaniel and Sondra PetersenAmy PlettnerEric and Julie RasgorshekLynn and Dana RoperErnest and Audrey RousekMarcus J. and Pamela H. SnowScott and Nancy StuckeyBill and Autumn TaddickenBruce and Judy WendorffGreg and Dina WingfieldBruce and Judy WrightBarb Wright-Chollet and Ray

CholletArt and Chris Zygielbaum

The Tallgrass Prairie Society is a group of individual contributors whose generous annual support of $500 or more honors our natural and cultural prairie history. We are grateful for their vision and their gifts. We hope that you will consider joining them. You can

help make tallgrass prairie not only our history, but our legacy.

continued on page 7

Please consider joining these generous donors to ensure survival of this special prairie. You can help. Thank you for being part of our mission!

Organizational Support$10,000 and aboveAbel FoundationCooper FoundationDillon FoundationDonlan FoundationElizabeth Rubendall

Foundation GR’s FoundationJ. A. Woollam FoundationLincoln Community

FoundationMosby Lincoln FoundationPegler Family FoundationRogers FoundationWoods Charitable Fund

$1,000-$9,999American Thrift Store, Inc.Ameritas Charitable

FoundationAssurity Life InsuranceAvedaBunge Milling, Inc.Design DataDolezal Family FoundationHerbert and Marian Weston

FoundationKinder Porter Scott Family

FoundationNorris Public Power DistrictPinnacle Bank, CreteUnion Bank and Trust

CompanyVillage of Denton

$100-$999Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.Crete Chamber of CommerceFirst State BankLower Platte South NRDMills SqueegeeNebraska Book CompanyNebraska Bugeaters

Groundhog ClubOlsson Family FoundationStock Seed FarmsUnitarian ChurchWachiska Audubon Society

The Prairie Sage 7

Dec 2013

Join Us on the Prairie!I want to support the conservation and education programs at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center with a donation of:

$500 ____ $250 ____ $100 ____ $60 ____ $35 ____ Other ____(Gifts $35 and above qualify for an individual membership; gifts $60 and above qualify for a family membership. Donate easily and safely on-line at springcreekprairie.org.)

Total gift: $_______ (Check payable to Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center)

Card # (MC/Visa) _____________________________________ Exp. date ______

Name _________________________ Address _____________________________

City _________________________________________ State _____ Zip ________

Phone __________________ E-mail _____________________________________

¤ I do not want my name to be acknowledged in print materials. ¤ I do not want the National Audubon Society to add my name to its membership

list it sends to carefully selected organizations whose mailings I might find of interest.

Send completed form to Spring Creek Prairie, P.O. Box 117, Denton, NE 68339

Admission/Membership

Daily Admission

SCPAC Members FREE Adults $4 Seniors (60+) $3 Students $3 Ages 6-17 $3 Ages 5 and under FREE Tuesdays FREE

members of National Audubon Societyand Wachiska Audubon Society receive

$1 off admission.

Annual Membership Levels

$35 - Individual $60 - FamilySCPAC members receive:• Unlimited free access to visitor

center.• Unlimited access to walking trails.• 10% off gift shop purchases.• Invites to special programs/events.

Member levels include an initial one-year membership to National Audubon Society and an initial full year of Audubon magazine. (Subsequent National Audubon memberships require separate donation to NAS.)

Jeff and Catherine JohnsonKeith Johnson and Peggy

WheelockStephen JonesSteve Kenyon and Mary

StolinskiTed Kooser and Kathleen

RutledgeKathryn KuceraDan Leger and Inta

DidrichsonsDon and Cathy LinscottMary Jo and Dave LivingstonSydney Lynch and Craig RoperBobbette MacDonaldCarol and Dennis MathiasWynn and Sheila MehlhaffKen and Judy MeierStan MillsGreg Newport and Shelley StallKevan and Catherine NyeDave Palm and Alice

HennemanDon and June PedersonHarvey and Susan PerlmanJerry and Mary Ann PetrJohn PollackVictor ReisLaurie Richards and Dan

WorthRay and Ann RingleinKim Robak and William

MuellerLarry and Patricia RuthSue SamsonDan and Marge SchlittDan and Judi ScullyJulie and Sam SeeverRobert Sheehan

Carrie Smith and Lansi Sirimanodham

John SolsoGerold StarkRuth Stearns and Mike

MattsonJackie and Noble SwansonDale and Dee Van VleckLyle and Joyce VannierDon WeselyRobert and Deborah WigtonRick and Susie WindleTerry Wittler and Margaret

BartleTom and Patti Yaussi

$35-$99Julie AboBrad and LuAnne AndersonMary Anne AndreiDale and Sandra BenhamPatrice BergerLynn BillsCarol and Gary BodeenSteve BorsRon Bowlin and Suzy PrengerDoc and Christi ChavesJohn DietrichRobert DillerBarbara DingesAlice DittmanCheryl EldridgeMichelle EllwangerKathryn Ewing and David

AnsonGregg FooteStephen GageDavid and Kathy GatesSue and Tom Guild

Kim HachiyaMace HackTwyla and Tom HansenHerbert HansenRichard and Christy

HargesheimerJane HoodDebbie HunsbergerPaul JohnsgardTim JohnsonBrad Johnson and Michelle

DeRushaJessica Jurzenski-Putney and

Geoff PutneyRobert and Martha KaulKim KenneyShari KoldingRuth LionbergerTom Lynch and Margaret

JacobsChad and Lisa MichelRosalind MorrisRuthann NahornyW. Don and Andrea NelsonElizabeth and Daniel NelsonPeggy NewquistMatt and Lisa NybergCarol OlsonTory O’NealJane PetersReynold and Jill PetersonAlan PetersonDiana Pilson and Rick

SchneiderJane and Peter ReinkordtReuben and Loretta RiekeKathy RootAnita RothCarol Rustad

Karl Schlitt and Rosina PaoliniMichael and Jane SchroederDavid SebekLisa Silberman and Lance

MeinkeRobert and Nancy SorensenGladys ThompsonRosemary and Mel ThorntonMark van Roojen and Jennifer

HaleyMelvin WiebenRebecca WingoSteve Winter

The support and recognition of all our donors is important to us. Space limitations require gift recognition to begin at the $35 membership level. Please let us know of any missing names so corrections can be made in the next issue.

8 The Prairie Sage

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center11700 SW 100th StreetP.O. Box 117Denton, NE 68339402-797-2301 (-2304/fax)[email protected]://springcreekprairie.audubon.org

Open: Mon.-Fri. 9-5 Sat.-Sun. 1-5 All year, except major holidays Admission charge; Tuesdays free

Director: Roger FurrerCommunity Education Director: Jamie KelleyHabitat Program Manager: Ben MullarkeyOperations Manager/Important Bird Areas

Coordinator: Kevin PoagueProject Coordinator: Chris ThodyCaretaker: Amy PlettnerAudubon Nebr. Exec. Dir: Marian Langan

Stewardship Advisory Board

Christie Dionisopoulos - ChairLana Flagtwet - Chair-Elect

Ginna Claussen Arnold MendenhallDeb Dahab Cindy MorrisJudy Dougherty Eric RasgorshekDave Ellingson Cindy RoseSteve Gage Steve RussellMari Lane Gewecke Sam SeeverMatt Gonzalez Dan SemradJeff Hagaman Scott StuckeyGreg Hurlbut Tom TallmanJohn Janovy Bruce Wright Bruce Johnson Barb Wright-CholletJenni Lesoing-Lucs

11700 SW 100th Street PO Box 117Denton, NE 68339

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit 1147Lincoln, NE

Printed on recycled paper

We appreciate the publication support provided by:A to Z Printing8230 Cody Drive, Lincoln, NE 68512402-477-0815•www.atozprint.com

February1 Prairie Club14-17 Great Backyard Bird

Count15 Moonlight Ramble

March1 Prairie Club1 Discovery Leader

Training8 Snug as a Bug20-23 Audubon’s Nebraska

Crane Festival (Kearney)

March (Cont’d)29 Discovery Leader

Training

April5 Prairie Club5 Community Rain

Barrel Project19 Basket Weaving

May3 Prairie Club17 Take Flight Family

Bird Walk

Calendar

Connecting People with Nature