Supporters Meet Spring Challenge, Provide Funding For Habitat Conservation and Education

Audubon supporters stepped up and helped our Nebraska Audubon Centers reach funding goals this spring.


Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary conducted fund drives fueled with the help of challenge gift donors. All together, 775 donors contributed more than $200,000.


At Rowe Sanctuary, contributions will help fill the financial gap left after extreme weather, flooding, and road closures devastated their crane tourism business. Spurred by the offer of two generous matching gifts, donors both near and far responded to help critical conservation work on the Platte River go on without disruption. One of the matching gifts came from the family of former Rowe Sanctuary employee Greg Wingfield and his sister Deb Wingfield, who volunteers for Rowe during the crane migration.


“The response this spring was great from our supporters,” said Rowe Director Bill Taddicken. “People from all across the country and right here close to home sent in gifts, often increasing their support to help us during this difficult financial time. We also had many donations from new supporters.”


At Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, the J.A. Woollam Foundation offered a matching grant to support important programs. The challenge helped spur awareness during the annual Give To Lincoln Day drive and Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center jumped from 60th to 41st in the rankings of organizations supported during the annual community-wide philanthropy day.


“We greatly appreciate the response of supporters,” said Meghan Sittler, Director at Spring Creek Prairie. “Programs like this fall’s Prairie Immersion for fourth graders at Lincoln Public Schools is only possible through underwriting from our donors. The fact that we gained many new donors during this spring drive is a testament to the importance of our conservation work and our outreach in the community.”

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