St. Helena, Calif.-based Bandit Wines announced a $50,000 donation to the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service.
The funds, in accordance with Bandit Wine’s commitment to outdoor exploration, support the National Park Foundation’s efforts for hashtag #FindYourWay, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System and Wild & Scenic Rivers System.
In honor of hashtag #FindYourWay, the National Park Foundation is raising funds for priority projects that protect and enhance these important places and build awareness of the educational and recreational opportunities that rivers and trails offer, the companies say.
With exploration at its soul, the hashtag #FindYourWay celebrates milestones such as National Park Week in April, National Trails Day in June, the National Park Service’s birthday in August, National Public Lands Day in September, the 50th anniversary of the National Trails and Wild & Scenic Rivers acts in October, Giving Tuesday in November, and the National Park Foundation’s birthday in December. Bandit and the National Park Foundation will come together on these occasions to promote parks, rivers and trails, and further their shared goal of making outdoor adventures more accessible to everyone.
“Helping people explore the incredible wilderness and history of America’s great national parks and beyond is what we’re all about at Bandit,” said Charles Bieler, co-founder of Bandit Wines, in a statement. “When fellow winemakers and explorers Joel Gott, Roger Scommegna and I forged a partnership to found Bandit 15 years ago, we made exploration our mission. With that mission in mind, we made adventure-ready lightweight packaging that keeps our wine fresh while using natural resources responsibly. We’re excited to join forces with an organization who shares our dedication to the environment and commitment to never stop exploring.”
The partnership also supports the National Park Foundation’s Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks. To date, the fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of America’s treasured national parks has raised nearly $500 million in private donations from individuals, foundations and companies, it states.