Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
19
Vanderheiden Memorial Run raises
$9K for state park trails
The Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run, an annual race aimed
at raising awareness and understanding of mental health, raised
more than $9,000 for Nebraska Game and Parks state park trails in
2023. Funds donated from the memorial run will be used to support
trail upgrades at Smith Falls State Park, home to Nebraska's tallest
waterfall. Park improvements planned in 2024 include upgrades to
the Jim MacAllister Nature Trail, a 1.5-mile hiking path through the
Niobrara River Valley.
Runners from every state in the nation participated either virtually
or in-person in the May 20 race, which brought together hundreds of
people united around raising mental health awareness. Participants
used the hashtags #PreventSuicide and #Run4TJV when they shared
their race stories, memories of Tyler and their connection to the
outdoors.
The family
of Tyler
Vanderheiden
poses for a
picture at Smith
Falls State Park in
Cherry County.
State records broken,
Master Anglers recognized
Nebraska anglers had a great year of fishing during 2023, with one
new underwater-powered spearfishing state record for a walleye, and
three new rod-and-reel state records for common carp, silver carp and
white perch certified. More than 1,800 Master Angler certificates also
were issued for 40 fish species caught in 220 water bodies. Awards for
channel catfish topped the list, followed by largemouth bass, hybrid
striped bass and walleye. For the first time in 2023, anglers could make
Master Angler applications online.
