Conservation Trail: Where ArborLinks and Arbor Day Farm Connect the Beauty of Nature and Golf
Conservation Trail in Nebraska City offers a 2.4-mile loop accommodating walkers, bikers, and golf carts between ArborLinks and the Arbor Day Farm.
“No other game combines the wonder of nature with the discipline of sport in such carefully planned ways. A great golf course both frees and challenges a golfer’s mind.”
- Tom Watson
Nature is the canvas to all golf courses, but at ArborLinks in Nebraska City, Nebraska, it's more than just a backdrop. Here, golf and the natural world co-exist in beautiful harmony, not just aesthetically, but also through a commitment to sustainable practices. A challenging yet rewarding day on the course is matched with the opportunity to relax with a post-match stroll on the Conservation Trail. The 1.2-mile trail connecting ArborLinks to Arbor Day Farm first opened in 2019. Now, the trail is a 2.4-mile loop open to walkers, bikers, and golf carts. The winding pathway encourages visitors to appreciate a piece of Arbor Day Farm's land not previously accessible to the public.
It has provided connectivity between the properties that didn't exist before. The trail encourages and allows for a cross-pollination of guests between the two properties - encouraging golfers to discover nature and guests at Arbor Day Farm the chance to golf a spectacular course.
- Arbor Day Farm
Connecting the Pleasure of Golf with the Appreciation of Nature
The Conservation Trail isn't just a path connecting ArborLinks to Arbor Day Farm; it's a bridge between the pleasure of golf and a deeper appreciation of nature. As you stroll beneath a canopy of mature trees, dappled sunlight dances on the path. Each step on this peaceful trail allows you to reconnect with the very foundation of the game you love. The strategic challenges and focused concentration required on the course take on a new dimension after immersing yourself in the natural surroundings.
Roots that Run Deep
Dormie Network and the Dormie Network Foundation share a deep respect for the natural world that allows us to enjoy this game – it's where our passion for golf and conservation collide. We’re proud to support our longtime partner, the Arbor Day Foundation, and their mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
ArborLinks’ origin story embodies this philosophy. 300 acres of Nebraska prairie were developed and operated by Landscapes Unlimited in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation, then designed by Palmer Course Design, leaders in the golf industry. The project showcases how incredible golf and environmental initiatives can grow stronger, together.
“Each of us must be aware of the role we play in the future of golf and environmental stewardship.”
- Arnold Palmer.
ArborLinks helped bring sound environmental principles to the world of golf course design, and the Palmer Design Company donated its design fee to advance the positive environmental role of golf. Each hole on the course has been designed with a specific conservation theme in mind. Hole 1 is Black Cherry Row. A remnant fence row of black cherry, mulberry, and other trees live to the left of the trees. The fencerow functions much like the windbreaks and shelterbelts planted along field edges and around farmsteads in the great plains since the 1930s. Conservationists refer to them as “corridor” habitats for wildlife, connecting different habitats, like the woodland adjacent to the green.
Growing the game of golf represents growing land use; protecting that land with environmental practices is vital to the future of golf. ArborLinks is a model of tree planting, the use of conservation buffers, and the implementation of other environmental practices that enhance biodiversity, high water quality, and afforestation efforts. The Arbor Day Foundation developed a program based on ArborLinks to teach the golfing world how the game of golf can be an environmental enhancement.
On the Trail
As you meander along the trail, you’ll notice:
Historic and modern apple orchards flourishing with apples plus pumpkins and grapes
South Table Creek flowing with a gentle murmur
The impressive, Lied Greenhouse where trees begin to grow
Historic barns with character and charm
The majestic presence of Lied Lodge
The Harris Prairie showcasing the best of the tall grass prairie with grasses and wildflowers
A peaceful walnut clonal grove
Flora and Fauna Fun Facts
“The continuous change of color offered by the native plants is something to behold. There are more than 50 varieties of native wildflowers on display from April to October.”
- Arbor Day Farm
Milkweed, one of the many varieties of native plants along the trail is important because it is the only plant where monarch butterflies will lay their eggs.
Monarch Butterflies are one of the species listed as endangered and being able to provide both a host plant - where they lay their eggs as a variety of nectar plants for them to feed on is one of the many fascinating species and unique flora/fauna relationships found along the conservation trail.
Discover Arbor Day Farm
The Conservation Trail serves as a gateway to the many delights of Arbor Day Farm. After finishing the trail, consider exploring:
The Treetop Adventure: Embark on a thrilling climb through the forest canopy.
Apple House Market: Full of delicious orchard and vineyard flavors, sweet treats, and local produce.
Arbor Lodge: Tour the mansion and expansive grounds while learning about the important history of Arbor Day.
Planning Your Visit
Location: Begin your journey at ArborLinks in Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Fees: Trail access is free. Arbor Day Farm may have separate admission fees for certain activities.
Attire: Dress comfortably in weather-appropriate clothing and shoes.
Hours: Open 24/7 for exploration.
Tip: Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and layers, it’s about a 3-mile walk through uneven terrain both shaded and sunny with little to no areas for resting.
