Rainwater Basin Joint Venture

Sometimes known as the "hourglass", the RAINWATER BASIN covers 4,200 square miles within 17 counties of south-central Nebraska. The goal of this joint venture is to restore and permanently protect high-quality wetlands and associated uplands with adequate water and distribution to meet the habitat needs of waterfowl and other migratory birds.

Millions of ducks, geese, cranes and shorebirds funnel through this "hourglass" during the spring migration.  This area provides critical migration habitat for the endangered whooping crane.  Working with landowners in the Rainwater Basin, joint venture partners are restoring, enhancing and protecting wildlife habitat in a largely agricultural landscape.