SCP January E-news
Solar installations
New solar energy panels will be installed on the south-facing roof of the visitor center the last week of January. The project, being coordinated by Nelnet Renewable Energy of Lincoln, goes along with National Audubon’s Clean Energy policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower our carbon emission impact to help protect birds and their habitats from climate change. The project is partially funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
In addition to the panels, a monitor with software will be placed in the visitor center so guests can see in real time the amount of kilowatt hours of energy the panels are creating. This will help us spread the word of the benefits of solar power for businesses and homeowners.
The system at Spring Creek Prairie joins a similar solar project that was recently installed at Audubon’s sister nature center, the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon. The visitor center at Rowe underwent a complete restoration and the solar panels were included as part of the renovation.
Winter burn piles
Prairie management doesn’t just happen during the growing season. In January, our habitat team was able to burn a dozen or so brush piles on our newly acquired prairie. The cold temperatures and snowy ground create safe conditions for the fires to take place. These piles of old tree limbs and shrubs come from our effort to enhance and increase the tallgrass prairie habitat by removing woody growth from the grassland areas.
Congratulations, Brady / Communication Changes
We are thrilled to announce that Brady Karg has been promoted to Senior Education Coordinator! Brady’s skills, hard work, and excellence at environmental education warranted this position upgrade and will allow Brady to continue his growth by leading all on-site field trips and educational programming. Congratulations!
Along with the promotion came a few changes to his position that will mean a change for you, our amazing volunteers, friends, and members, too. Going forward, Brady will be taking over our Spring Creek Prairie social media communications, working closely with our Audubon Great Plains Communications Manager, Amanda Booher. Volunteer coordination and messaging will now be the responsibility of our Birdnerd, Jason St. Sauver, the Senior Education Manager. So watch for volunteer emails from Jason for the upcoming year and here is to an amazing 2025.
