Cedar Ridge donates $6,000 to INHF, two trail projects
By Joe Jayjack on January 30, 2020 in Press Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Jayjack, INHF Communications Director
jjayjack@inhf.orgjjayjack@inhf.org, 515-288-1846, ext. 19
DES MOINES — Cedar Ridge presented Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) with a check for $6,004 to support two Iowa trail projects at the 2020 Iowa Bike Expo in Des Moines on Saturday, Jan. 25.
The two projects are the Trestle to Trestle Trail bridge in Polk County, which was damaged by an ice jam in March ‘19, and the Hoover Nature Trail in Johnson County, which will help complete the “missing link” to connect with the Cedar Valley Nature Trail.
"These are two very popular trails, and both of these projects are helping to improve the quality of life for trail users and the surrounding community," said Andrea Boulton, INHF trails and greenways director.
The Trestle to Trestle Trail is heavily used by commuters as well as recreational walkers and cyclists. Repairing the bridge in Johnson will reconnect an important link in the central Iowa trails system.
The new section of the Hoover Nature Trail between Solon and Ely will connect it with another of Iowa's oldest trails, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. "The Hoover Nature Trail was one of INHF's first trail projects in the 1980s. We're excited to help with this project, which creates an important link for all the communities along the route," Boulton said.
Swisher, Iowa-based Cedar Ridge launched Bagger Vodka in 2019 to celebrate the spirit of adventure and give back to the Iowa trail system. Cedar Ridge is donating $1 from the sale of every 1L bottle of Bagger Vodka to INHF in support of new trail development and maintenance in Iowa. This was the first designation of funds from the partnership between Cedar Ridge and INHF, and the organizations look forward to supporting new community trail projects in the near future.
“We’re encouraged by the community support we have received since launching Bagger,” said Cedar Ridge Executive Vice President Jamie Siefken. “Our team is constantly looking at new opportunities to further the impact we can make on Iowa’s trail system.”
Learn more at www.baggervodka.com.
About Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit conservation group that works to protect and restore Iowa's land, water and wildlife. Since its founding in 1979, INHF has helped protect more than 175,000 acres and create more than 800 miles of trails.
About Cedar Ridge
In 2005, Cedar Ridge became the first licensed distillery in the state of Iowa since Prohibition, when owners Jeff and Laurie Quint aimed to follow a long family tradition of Iowa farmers and distillers, including Jeff's father and grandfather, who produced locally made brandies. Cedar Ridge produces wines from its own estate-grown grapes and crafts its award-winning spirits in its four custom engineered German pot stills. The lush 5,000 vines and 15,000 square foot winery, distillery, tasting room and event center provide quality wines, spirits and an exciting entertainment experience for Eastern Iowa.