Cedar Ridge Distillery has donated more than $20,000 to Iowa trails since it launched its Bagger Vodka brand in 2020, according to a news release.
A dollar from every purchase of the vodka is made directly to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) and distributed to trails across the state.
The INHF is a nonprofit conservation group that works with private landowners and public partners to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water, and wildlife.
“As a premium vodka handcrafted here locally, we wanted our Bagger Vodka brand to support the outdoor activities Iowans love,” said Jamie Siefken, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Cedar Ridge, in the release. “We have a tremendous trail system and hope to do our part to continue to both maintain and expand it with these funds.”
Since 2020, the donations have been funneled to:
- Trestle to Trestle Trail, Polk County
Repairs to the Trestle to Trestle bridge are happening right now and are expected to be finished this year, reopening a well-used trail that connects Des Moines and Johnston.
- Ely to Solon Trail construction, Johnson County
The six mile-section of trail between Solon and Ely was completed in 2020, providing a crucial connection in the trail network between the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids metro areas.
Those gifts were announced at the 2020 Bicycle Summit in Des Moines. The brand plans to direct funds in 2022 to install bicycle fix-it stations for bike trails around the state, according to the release.
“Cedar Ridge is providing the type of partnership that is crucial to expanding Iowa’s trail system, ensuring our position as the world capital of trails,” remarked Andrea Boulton, INHF Trails and Greenways Director, in the release. “Their contribution and commitment not only provides much-needed dollars to leverage state and federal funds but also elevates the awareness of our trails across the state.”
