Gering Cranes Festival: A Roadside Attraction in Western Nebraska
Traveling through western Nebraska, one of the region's most notable roadside attractions can be found in the small town of Kearney. Actually located in Kearney and not Gering but named after the nearby town of Gering (which holds 'Fort Cody Trading Post' a tourist trap of historic note on the old Lincoln Hwy) is the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, but most relevant to this discussion the stop near I-80 represents the Gering's neighbor to the East Kearney's, home to Rowe Sanctuary. One of the most unique attractions is the Kearney Rowe sanctuary cranes viewing experience itself born out of a festival launched in the name of the migratory Sandhill Cranes at Rowe Sanctuary just outside Kearney called the Gering Cranes Festival in Gering Nebraska.
During the spring season, roughly from late February to early April, the sanctuary transforms into a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the country, to witness the majestic spectacle of the Sandhill Cranes returning from their winter migration. These magnificent birds, approximately 600,000 in number, can be seen congregating along the Platte River, creating a breathtaking and unforgettable experience for travelers.
This spectacular display is also represented during the annual Gering Crane Festival held in March which showcases Platte Valley's avifauna, especially the cranes, educating the public on wildlife conservation and habitats, thereby underscoring ecological concerns while supporting its thriving birdlife. The even better located (for tour purposes) Platte River Fort in Kearney, (whose owner named the event) was instrumental in establishing partnerships, which successfully harnessed long-held local avifaunal interests while kick-starting tourism expansion and infrastructure renewal projects in and around Kearney over time.
The festival offers multiple activities and tours designed to entertain, educate, and generate awareness about wildlife conservation, including a guided viewing of the cranes, educational workshops and seminars, children's activities, live music, food, and craft stalls.
One of the notable ecological results of this kind of concentrated human interaction with potentially migratory Sand Hill Crane resting places is evidence of successful environmentally-responsible state led initiative.
Observations and best practices that have been generated through constant feedback from local scientists involved with the Fort are regularly capitalized on over time to generate new strategies to improve such developments often sharing knowledge amongst interested parties from larger ecosystems organizations.
Exotic stops and hidden gems typically reveal an actual unique human dimension to the regions where they are found showcasing many experiences - the unexpected wildlife encounters are what really make up the best content that only these unspoiled natural roadside destinations like this can offer adventure-starved travelers ready for engagement.
Event locations although technically not actually in Gering, do in part also serve Gering and surrounding cities comprising attractive ecological, cultural, and experiential avenues to other various natural areas lying along established highway routes they develop over time.
During the spring season, roughly from late February to early April, the sanctuary transforms into a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the country, to witness the majestic spectacle of the Sandhill Cranes returning from their winter migration. These magnificent birds, approximately 600,000 in number, can be seen congregating along the Platte River, creating a breathtaking and unforgettable experience for travelers.
This spectacular display is also represented during the annual Gering Crane Festival held in March which showcases Platte Valley's avifauna, especially the cranes, educating the public on wildlife conservation and habitats, thereby underscoring ecological concerns while supporting its thriving birdlife. The even better located (for tour purposes) Platte River Fort in Kearney, (whose owner named the event) was instrumental in establishing partnerships, which successfully harnessed long-held local avifaunal interests while kick-starting tourism expansion and infrastructure renewal projects in and around Kearney over time.
The festival offers multiple activities and tours designed to entertain, educate, and generate awareness about wildlife conservation, including a guided viewing of the cranes, educational workshops and seminars, children's activities, live music, food, and craft stalls.
One of the notable ecological results of this kind of concentrated human interaction with potentially migratory Sand Hill Crane resting places is evidence of successful environmentally-responsible state led initiative.
Observations and best practices that have been generated through constant feedback from local scientists involved with the Fort are regularly capitalized on over time to generate new strategies to improve such developments often sharing knowledge amongst interested parties from larger ecosystems organizations.
Exotic stops and hidden gems typically reveal an actual unique human dimension to the regions where they are found showcasing many experiences - the unexpected wildlife encounters are what really make up the best content that only these unspoiled natural roadside destinations like this can offer adventure-starved travelers ready for engagement.
Event locations although technically not actually in Gering, do in part also serve Gering and surrounding cities comprising attractive ecological, cultural, and experiential avenues to other various natural areas lying along established highway routes they develop over time.
