SPIKEBOX
142,000 Acres | Nebraska Sandhills
A living laboratory where large-scale stream restoration, healthy wetlands, and native prairie demonstrate the power of working with natural water systems.
RESTORING WATER TO THE LANDSCAPE
Healthy water systems create resilient landscapes
Located in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, Spikebox Ranch encompasses 142,000 acres of rolling dunes, expansive meadows, wetlands, and native prairie. The North Loup River flows along the southern boundary, helping shape a landscape where water and grasslands remain deeply connected.
This unique combination of groundwater, streams, wetlands, and native prairie supports exceptional ecological diversity and provides valuable opportunities for conservation, restoration, and research.
REBUILDING NATURAL HYDROLOGY
Restoring the Sandhills
In 2015, Spikebox became the site of the largest stream restoration project ever completed in Nebraska’s Sandhills.
The project restored the stream channel and raised groundwater levels closer to historic conditions, improving the connection between the creek, surrounding wetlands, and adjacent meadows. By restoring natural hydrology, the project improved stream function, increased forage production, and expanded wetland habitat for wildlife.
Today, the restoration continues to demonstrate how working with natural processes can strengthen both ecological health and agricultural productivity.
WETLANDS THAT SUPPORT WILDLIFE
Water shapes nearly every aspect of life at Spikebox. Wetlands, wet meadows, streams, and riparian habitats provide food, shelter, and breeding areas for a wide variety of wildlife species.
The restored water systems help support healthier habitats throughout the landscape while improving resilience during drought and changing environmental conditions.
WILDLIFE OF THE SANDHILLS
When water returns, wildlife follows
Spikebox supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs, sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasants, migratory songbirds, waterfowl, and trumpeter swans.
Many of these species depend on healthy wetlands and intact grasslands. By restoring water systems and maintaining large connected habitats, Spikebox helps support wildlife populations across the Nebraska Sandhills.
A LIVING LABORATORY FOR WATERSHED
RESTORATION
Spikebox offers valuable opportunities to study the relationship between groundwater, streams, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and working landscapes.
The lessons learned through restoration efforts here help inform conservation and land management strategies across the Great Plains, demonstrating how healthy watersheds can support both biodiversity and productive agricultural systems.
THE POWER OF RESTORATION
The Nebraska Sandhills are one of North America’s most remarkable grassland ecosystems. At Spikebox, restoration efforts demonstrate how rebuilding natural processes can strengthen entire landscapes.
As part of the Turner Institute’s network of Living Laboratories, Spikebox shows how water, wildlife, and working lands can thrive together when stewardship begins with the health of the ecosystem itself.