May 2024 • Nebraskaland 33
Fen Fest
The three fens we visited during Fen Fest were located
on the banks of Steverson Lake at Cottonwood-Steverson
Wildlife Management Area on private land owned by the
Ravenscroft family and on the Turner Enterprise's Spikebox
Ranch. As guides, Gerry's and Ted's combined knowledge
made for a fun and informative experience.
My favorite fen was on John Ravencroft's ranch. His
ranch is deep into the rolling Sandhills, where dark skies
are prominent and wetlands and grasslands fl ourish. We
joined John, his wife and son on a tour out to the fen, and
we watched them walk out onto the springy mat of peat
and bounce around, giddy as ever. Gerry then pointed out a
plant species, marsh marigold, which typically prefers cooler
and wetter climates. The microclimate found within the fen
makes an ideal habitat for this species and many others, such
as bog bean, cottongrass and Nebraska sedge. We ended
the excursion back at the Ravencrofts' home, where they
delighted us with mint chocolate chip ice cream, homemade
brownies and warm conversation.
Bog bean and cotton-grass growing in a fen on private land in the Nebraska Sandhills. Because most of Nebraska's fens are
found on private land, working with ranchers is an integral part of fen conservation. ETHAN FREESE
Bouncing through rushes and cattails, a swamp sparrow
fi nds purchase on a wetland rush. Fens are important
places for wildlife; many use them as homes. These small
brown-capped songbirds are aptly named for their affi nity
to wetter environments like seeps, bogs, marshes and fens.
Sometimes you might fi nd them ambling through shallow
spring waters, submerging their heads below the water's
surface to glean aquatic insects. DAKOTA ALTMAN
