More than ever, Americans understand the importance of preserving and protecting their homeland. With the massive domestic land devastation in recent years, many Americans want to show their support and help make things right. Sharing this respect and appreciation for the great outdoors, Redwood Creek Wines is calling on all of America to cast the deciding vote in the third annual Greater Outdoors Project. Avid outdoorsmen all their lives, Sean Hails and fellow Redwood Creek winemaker, Cal Dennison, understand the integral role nature plays in the wine making process and recognize the importance of giving back to the great outdoors.
During the past three months, environmental nonprofits were invited to submit grant proposals profiling their organization’s efforts to preserve, protect and provide access to America’s great outdoors. A judging panel of outdoor experts — including Redwood Creek Winemaker, Sean Hails, and past Greater Outdoors Project winner, John Hopper of New Orleans’ Friends of City Park — narrowed down the competitive field to ten worthy environmental projects. “The Sierra Nevada mountain snow-melt irrigates our vines and helps nourish Redwood Creek’s flavorful wines from grape to glass,” says Hails. “Through our marquee Greater Outdoors Project, we’re able to help environmental nonprofits and fulfill our mission to preserve, protect and provide access to the great outdoors.”
Having lived off the land during my Survivor days and experienced some of the worlds greatest outdoor treasures like The Appalachian Trail, Yosemite Valley and South Dakota’s Badlands, I’m honored to be part of such a powerful initiative. One winning nonprofit will be awarded the $50,000 title grant in September, after a nationwide public vote. For the first time in Greater Outdoors Project history, the remaining nine organizations will each receive a $10,000 runner-up grant.
Over the next ten weeks I will be profiling each of these spectacular finalists and urging the Tonic community to get involved by voting for your favorite nonprofit through August 31. Representing a variety of environmental interests, all fighting to preserve America’s wide-open spaces, Redwood Creek Wines is proud to present this year’s Greater Outdoors Project finalists:
American Forests
Arizona Trail Association
Catamount Trail Association
Coosa River Basin Initiative
Hiwassee River Watershed
Hudson Basin River Watch
Million Trees NYC
Sugar Pine Foundation
The Wetlands Initiative
Yellowstone Park Foundation
Photo courtesy of Redwood Creek Wines.