One Of Jane Goodall's Favorite Wildlife Destinations In The US Is Ideal For Nature Lovers

Given that Dr. Jane Goodall is best known for her work with chimpanzees, those are likely the animals that you most often picture around her. The Jane Goodall Barbie doll (made from 90% recycled plastic, of course) even comes with a toy chimp. But the late British trailblazer who spent years in Africa definitely enjoyed nature in the United States, too. And it might be surprising that one of her favorite wildlife destinations was in Nebraska, a state that often flies under the radar.

The Platte River Valley in Nebraska is perhaps the best birdwatching destination in America, and Goodall took notice. Upwards of 500,000 sandhill cranes migrate through this part of the country each spring, especially its north and central sections. For almost 20 years, Goodall made a trip to Platte River every March for this special occasion. "The reason I keep coming back is because ... it's the evening I love best, and there's no two evenings that are the same," Goodall explained (via CBS News). "My favorite place to be is on the Platte River, looking towards the sunset where the cranes come in."

Sandhill cranes are vissibe throughout most of the day

In 2018, 60 Minutes reported on the sandhill crane spectacle alongside Dr. Jane Goodall and Nebraska-born wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen. In the process, the world got a glimpse into Goodall's endless curiosity and lighthearted humor. "Do you think their calls are to keep in contact? Are they keeping in touch with their family members? Are they gossiping about what happened in their day? Are they arguing about where to spend the night?" she wondered.

Sandhill cranes are similar in shape to the Canada goose, which are also common throughout the United States, but sandhill cranes have light grey feathers and red foreheads. If you see them jumping, flapping their wings, or throwing small objects into the air, they might be doing their famous mating dance. They dance and eat during the day, but birding organizations recommend viewing them during early mornings or evenings. Their migration over Nebraska's Platte River lasts from late February to late April, with March seeing the highest numbers. The sandhill cranes' migration then takes them to northern parts of the continent like the Great Lakes or further into Canada and even as far as Siberia.

See the cranes at designated tourism and viewing areas

Fort Kearney State Historical Park is a unique place to watch the sandhill crane migration. This fort was part of the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s, and visitors can check out its restored historical buildings. In the evenings, the fort's nearby bridge offers a prime vantage point to watch the cranes. To enjoy the sandhill crane migration with a guide, head to the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center in Wood River or the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon. These places will also teach you about the other types of birds at Platte River, like gulls, piping plovers, and many more. All locations are just two and a half hours west of Omaha, a vibrant city full of art, history, and Midwest charm.

The Platte River Valley is vulnerable to agricultural development. Dr. Jane Goodall personally met with farmers in the area to voice her concerns over water use as well. To do your part in keeping this vital migration stop safe for all of the region's wildlife, remember Goodall's responsible approach to wildlife tourism and stay within public viewing spaces like the Rowe Sanctuary Roadside (Crane) Viewing Site and Plautz Crane Viewing Deck.

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