Olson Nature Preserve – Albion, Nebraska

Olson Nature Preserve – Albion, Nebraska

Occasionally we need to take the time to visit the sites of nature, whether on a trip or if we live in the area.  The Olson Nature Preserve gives that opportunity to everyone that wants to see what beauty lies in the sandhills of Nebraska.  Here, at the easternmost tip of the sandhills the wonders of nature are alive with the half-mile plus stretch of Beaver Creek.  This perennial spring fed stream forms the geological boundary between the sandhills and the rolling loess hardlands to the east.  There are cottonwood trees adding their songs of leaves clinking together, oxbow wetlands filled with the life forms that make this home and both lowland tailgrass and sandhills prairie just waiting for you to take a stroll through the area.  If it’s oak trees you want to see there is the oak forest covering part of the land and the extensive east-facing escarpment and a small sandy canyon area for you to explore.

This 112 acre area shows many different ecosystems including the characteristic blowouts and gullies on the western edge of the Preserve.  You will have the opportunity to observe typical prairie plants on the hot, dry sandhills, and just 100 meters away you will see ferns growing in the moist cool cover of the forest.  At the base of the oak grove you will see the wetlands which abound with typical Loup River Watershed wetland plants and animals.

To preserve the area and make it more enjoyable for those that take the time to visit the area has had prescribed burning on occasion to control the overgrowth and the Scouts take on the area as projects to do such as cedar removal, trail design and bench and shelter construction.  Grazing has also been used as a management tool.

There is an Education Center created out of an old barn for the purpose of helping you understand the lands and ecosystem in the area.  This new addition to the area will host classrooms with lab space, a large activity/meeting space, screen porch, library, conference room, gallery, kitchen and restrooms. This facility will enable the area to be used for corporate retreats, community events and family gatherings.

Location: 8 miles north of Albion, Nebraska, on Hwy 14, left on Y Road on mile to entrance sign.

GPS Coordinates: Latitude/Longitude (NAD83): N41 47 59.8W98 06 15.9
UTM (NAD83): Zone 14N 574403 (easting), 4627951 (northing)

Mailing address: Prairie Plains Resource Institute, 1307 L Street, Aurora, NE 68818

Phone: 402-694-5535

Email: contactppri@hamilton.net

Related posts:

1. Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center (Crane Meadows Nature Center) – Alda, Nebraska
2. Waterman Sod House – Big Springs, Nebraska