First-Ever Trail Run/Walk on Historic Platte River Island Showcases Nature's Beauty
With final preparations underway for the Crane Trust’s
first-ever trail run on historic Shoemaker Island, I couldn’t help but marvel
at the beauty of this land and the incredible diversity of plants and wildlife that
it supports. The fun-for-all trail run/walk is being held to celebrate the
addition of four new bison to the Crane Trust’s exhibition herd—and is sure to deliver
a wonderful morning to remember. 
For the special 5K run/walk, the Crane Trust has opened its
native grassland habitat for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The
race is being run on a mowed grassland trail that meanders up and down across a
gentle landscape shaped by centuries of river flooding and vast herds of grazing
bison. This time of year the wildflowers are in full bloom and the grassland
birds are quick to fill the air with song.
Toward the end of the open prairie course, runners will be
greeted by a beautiful stretch of trail that winds through wooded habitat along
the river before crossing the river (on two footbridges) to the finish line. Water
levels permitting, participants will be able to cool their feet in the shallow
waters of the Platte River channel when the race is done.
The 5K-race has been
accurately measured and is being timed for the competitors among us. Runners/walkers
will receive a finisher medal and Buffalo Stampede 5K t-shirt. Overall male and
female winners will also receive Buffalo Stampede trophies.
Start time for the trail run/walk is 8:00 a.m. at the Crane
Trust Nature & Visitor Center (I-80 Alda Exit #305) on Saturday, July 20,
rain or shine. Early registration (on/or before July 15) is $20 for adults
and $12 for youth 12 and under. After July 15, registration is $25 for adults
and $17 for youth. Race-day registration opens at 7:00 a.m. at the Crane Trust
Nature & Visitor Center. Additional information and registration forms for
the historic trail run/walk are available at NebraskaNature.org or contact
Karen Krull Robart at 308-382-1820, kkrullrobart@cranetrust.org.
The Visionaries film production company will be on location
to film the event for a 30-minute Crane Trust documentary for PBS’s nationally
televised Visionaries series hosted by actor Sam Waterston of Law & Order.
In addition to the trail run/walk and local interviews, the crew will also be
filming a variety of habitat management and conservation programs underway this
summer at the Crane Trust.
Since 1978, the Crane Trust has been dedicated to the
protection and maintenance of critical habitat
for the endangered whooping
crane, sandhill cranes and other migratory birds along the Platte River through
scientific research, habitat management, community outreach and education. The
Crane Trust today is responsible for protecting approximately 10,000 acres of
vital habitat in south-central Nebraska through direct ownership and conservation
easements.
