FAWN LAKE
63,792 Acres | Nebraska Sandhills
A living laboratory where lakes, wetlands, streams, and native prairie support some of the most important wildlife habitat in the Nebraska Sandhills.
WHERE WATER MEETS PRAIRIE
In the Sandhills, water creates life
Fawn Lake Ranch lies within the heart of Nebraska’s Sandhills, a landscape shaped by rolling dunes, native grasslands, and an abundance of groundwater-fed wetlands. While much of the Sandhills is known for its vast prairie, Fawn Lake is distinguished by its rich network of lakes, streams, wet meadows, and fens.
These water resources create a diverse mosaic of habitats that support wildlife throughout the year while contributing to the ecological resilience of the broader Sandhills ecosystem.
A LANDSCAPE CONNECTED BY WATER
Lakes, streams, and wetlands
Twenty-five lakes, several fens, and more than 55 miles of streams originate on or flow through the property. Together, these interconnected water systems support native vegetation, improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and help sustain one of North America’s most unique grassland ecosystems.
The wetlands and wet meadows of Fawn Lake provide critical habitat for migratory birds and countless aquatic and terrestrial species that depend on healthy water resources.
WILDLIFE OF THE SANDHILLS
Healthy wetlands support life far beyond their shorelines
Fawn Lake supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Elk, pronghorn, mule deer, white-tailed deer, coyotes, badgers, prairie dogs, and Blanding’s turtles all depend on the ranch’s diverse habitats.
The property is particularly important for birds. Wetlands and lakes provide habitat for migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, songbirds, greater prairie chickens, and pheasants, making Fawn Lake a vital stopover and breeding area within the Central Flyway.
BISON AND PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP
Natural grazing processes promote resilient grasslands
Native grasslands remain at the foundation of the Fawn Lake ecosystem. Bison are managed on native rangelands throughout the year using deferred rotational grazing practices that help maintain healthy plant communities and support ecological diversity.
By working with natural grazing processes, land managers promote resilient grasslands that benefit wildlife, soil health, and long-term ecosystem function.
A LIVING LABORATORY FOR WETLANDS AND WILDLIFE
Fawn Lake offers a unique opportunity to study the relationship between water, wildlife, and working landscapes on the Great Plains. Its extensive wetlands, lakes, streams, and native grasslands provide a valuable setting for understanding habitat conservation, grassland ecology, migratory bird use, and sustainable land stewardship.
As part of the Turner Institute’s network of Living Laboratories, Fawn Lake helps demonstrate how conservation and agriculture can work together to protect biodiversity while maintaining productive landscapes.