Dr. Doyle Howitt
director of the Elderhostel Program for UNK, 308.627.3222
UNK- Crane enthusiasts from California to Maryland have come to Central Nebraska this week for the 33rd annual Sandhill Cranes Program, according to Dr. Doyle Howitt, director of the Exploritas program for the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The group arrived Sunday for registration and orientation. The rest of the week is being spent learning about the cranes and birding along the Platte River. The group will also explore Rowe Sanctuary, and get additional perspectives on the cranes and crane behavior from area experts.
The program, formerly known as Elderhostel, features presentations by Betsy Finch, director of the Nebraska Raptor Recovery Program; Gene Hunt, superintendent at Fort Kearny State Historical Park; Keanna Leonard, educational director at Rowe Sanctuary; Gary Lingle, area naturalist and published wildlife author; Kent Skaggs, operations manager for Rowe Sanctuary; and Dr. Joe Springer, UNK biology professor.
“Essentially, our participants represent east and west coast corridors,” Dr. Howitt said. The name change from Elderhostel to Exploritas is “…a response to the changing demographics,” he said.
Participants are listed below in alphabetical order by state:
CA Los Gatos Betty Chase
CA Los Gatos Jeff Chase
CA Santa Cruz Gary Upham
CO Fort Collins Don Crews
CO Lakewood George Griffin
CO Lakewood Linda Griffin
IA Iowa City Charles Buckley
IL Peoria Rudolf Habben
MA Beverly Pete Stevens
MD Silver Spring Charles Misner
MD Silver Spring Susanne Misner
MI Rockford Gerhard Ritsema
MI Rockford Kathleen Ritsema
MN Burnsville Connie Snyder
MN Burnsville Ronald Snyder
MN Eden Prairie Marlys Lund
MT Stevensville Leonard Sauer
MT Stevensville Marlene Sauer
NM Albuquerque Margery Barol
NM Albuquerque Samuel Barol
NV Las Vegas Joan Gildner
NV Las Vegas Will Gildner
NV Las Vegas Beneth Morrow
NV Las Vegas Lewis Morrow
NV Reno Barbara Castello
OH Beachwood Anita Friedman
OH Shaker Heights Frances Cort
PA Philadelphia Lois Ewart
WI Shorewood Jane Bowers
DAILY SCHEDULE:
Wednesday
6:30 – 8:00 am -Field
Prairie Chicken Lek with Gary Lingle
Interpretative Naturalists Field
Location of field is not known at this time (Call Dr. Howitt for details.)
8:30 – 9:15 am – Breakfast
Pioneer Village Restaurant
9:30 – 11:30 am – Classroom Time
“Birding Identification Techniques” with Gary Lingle
Interpretative Naturalists – Classroom
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch
Pioneer Village Restaurant
1:00 – 2:00 pm Exploring Time **
(This is an optional event) Pioneer Village Museum
2:15 – 3:15 pm Exploring Rowe Sanctuary **
(Pending Weather Conditions)
By Kent Skaggs & Staff, Wildlife Specialist
Please Note: 2:15 PM is a departure time for Rowe Sanctuary
3:30 – 4:45 pm Rowe Sanctuary
“Another Perspective on the Cranes,” “Crane Behavior,” “Migratory Patterns” – with Keanna Leonard, Education Director Rowe Sanctuary Rowe Sanctuary
4:45 – 5:30 pm Snack Nutrition Break Rowe Sanctuary
6:15 – 8:30 pm “Roosting Time – Return to Platte River” **
(Contingency: Weather Conditions)
Rowe Sanctuary Viewing Blinds Rowe Sanctuary
9:00 pm Light Buffet Pioneer Village Restaurant
Thursday, March 18
5:45 – 8:00 am Field
Breakfast with the Cranes with Gary Lingle, Interpretative Naturalists & Rowe Sanctuary Staff
Please Note: 5:45 AM is a departure time Gibbon Viewing Platform or Hike/Bike Bridge
8:30 – 9:15 am Breakfast Pioneer Village Restaurant
9:30 – 10:30 am Classroom Time. “Whooping Crane Migration” with Gary Lingle
10:30 – 11:30 am Classroom Time. “Another Perspective of the Area” with Gene Hunt, Superintendent
Fort Kearny State Historical Park Classroom
11:30 – 12:30 pm Lunch Pioneer Village Restaurant
12:30 – 2:00 pm Classroom Time. “Endangered Species” with Dr. Joe Springer UNK Biologist
2:00 – 3:30 pm Explore Pioneer Village & Museum, Pioneer Village Museum
3:30 – 4:30 pm Recognition of Scholarly Achievement, Classroom
4:30 – 5:00 pm Networking Session
A time to share e-mails, stories &
conversation with other Exploritas
(This is an optional event) Classroom
5:00 – 5:45 pm Dinner
Please bring evaluations with you to dinner Pioneer Village Restaurant
5:50 – 8:30 pm Field Observation **
This event is optional
(Weather Permitting)
Please Note: 5:50 PM is a departure time Gibbon Viewing Platform
Friday, March 19
6:30 – 8:15 am Field ** Optional Event Prairie Chickens with Gary Lingle Interpretative Naturalists & Rowe Sanctuary Staff
Please Note: 6:30 AM is a departure time Gibbon Viewing Platform or Hike/Bike Bridge
8:45 – 9:30 am Breakfast Pioneer Village Restaurant
Friday, March 19 Continued
9:30 – 11:00 am Visit Pioneer Village
9:30 – 11:00 am Departure Pioneer Village
11:00 – 12:00 Lunch Pioneer Village Restaurant
