I Want America's Best Summer Job in Vail!

Hanging creekside at the 2013 GoPro Mountain Games

It might be one of the most overused phrases about Vail: "You come for the winters but stay for the summers." I've heard it, I've had it repeated to me at media events, I've read it, I've even experienced a weekend of it at last summer's GoPro Mountain Games. But what's so appealing about a place that was built specifically for skiing during the one season that's not for skiing?

There must be something special about that mountain flora and fauna that makes those snow seekers stay. And Vail wants one person to find out this summer and share those experiences--and get paid for it--in 10 weeks at America's Best Summer Job.

Keep on Voting for Charitable Giving

A while back I posted the news about voting for one of five organizations competing for Redwood Creek's top prize in the Greater Outdoors Project. Well, it's not too late to vote--you have until May 31 before the contest ends--and your vote can make a difference in determining the winner. Among the five finalists the competition is close and they're all vying for the $50,000 grant and chance at appearing in a national ad campaign.

While some of the project may not directly affect you or your community, they're definite worthy causes. I keep thinking that I'll come to thank one of the project's work, if not more, in the future thanks to vacation, relocation or helping to inspire a project close to home. That's the other reason I'm having so much trouble casting my vote although Redwood Creek makes it easy and allows me to vote twice per day, once online and once by text, from now until the contest's end. So even if I'm undecided I can mix up the voting. Maybe not the best idea since the competition is already close, but it works for me.

A reminder on the projects:

• Arizona Trail Association: The Arizona Trail is a continuous, non-motorized 817-mile scenic trail. Today, 95 percent of the trail is complete. The grant would be used to build some of the most difficult remaining miles. Due to the remote location in a rugged wilderness area, these miles must be constructed by hand. Not only will the grant help complete the trail, it will allow access into backcountry near Tucson and protect a sensitive riparian area as well. Text code: trail
  
• Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey: Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey protects rare wildlife populations and the habitats they depend on. With the grant, it will plant over 20 acres of wildlife habitat at Ponder Lodge, a former golf course. Located on the popular Cape May Peninsula, the project will maximize the site for use by wildlife, especially migratory birds, and people for outdoor recreation. Text code: conserve
• Friends of City Park: Friends of City Park is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of 150-year-old New Orleans City Park. The grant would be used to reestablish 19 acres of ecosystems in the Couturie Forest, a popular woodland, nestled at the center of the park’s 1,300 acres, that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Text code: park
• National Forest Foundation: The National Forest Foundation promotes the health and enjoyment of the National Forest System. The grant would be used to establish 10 miles of trail that lead to Whychus Creek in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains using the most appropriate path to protect natural resources. It would also replant 10 acres of native species to enhance streamside habitat. Text code: forest
  
• WildEarth Guardians: WildEarth Guardians protects and restores wildlife, wild rivers and wild places in the American West. Its Santa Fe River “Stream Team” project coincides with the city’s 400^th anniversary this year. The grant would be used to restore a three-mile historic stretch of waterway and build a trail reconnecting the community with its namesake river. Text code: earth

To vote, head to the online portal to select your organization of choice or text one of the above codes to 39668. Find out more details at the Greater Outdoors site by Redwood Creek. Posted by Kate

Get Out the Vote

Whether you're in the mood to lend a helping hand or cast a vote and make it count, here's an action item to add to your do-good list. Remember the Greater Outdoors Project where non-profit organizations could receive a $50,000 grant? Back in February we encouraged you to nominate a worthy non-profit with a project in need of funding for the Greater Outdoors Project sponsored by Redwood Creek Wines. Well it's now time to now vote for the organizations that are finalists in this second-annual competition. Voting opened on April 1 and you have until May 31 to help select the winner.

After organizations submitted their proposals, a judging panel of outdoor experts that included Redwood Creek Winemaker Cal Dennison, TreeHugger.com founder Graham Hill, professional U.S. skier Lauren Hills and Outside executive editor Michael Roberts narrowed the field to five finalists. The project that receives the most votes in the competition will win the $50,000 and appear in a Redwood Creek advertising campaign, and join the ranks of 2008 winner, Southeast Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which is improving water quality and fishing in Camp Creek near Madison, Wis. Cast your vote for one of these organizations trying to do amazing, enviro-friendly things at RedwoodCreek.com or by texting your selection's code to 39668. Descriptions are courtesy of Redwood Creek and the Greater Outdoors Project.

• Arizona Trail Association: The Arizona Trail is a continuous, non-motorized 817-mile scenic trail. Today, 95 percent of the trail is complete. The grant would be used to build some of the most difficult remaining miles. Due to the remote location in a rugged wilderness area, these miles must be constructed by hand. Not only will the grant help complete the trail, it will allow access into backcountry near Tucson and protect a sensitive riparian area as well. Text code: trail
  
• Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey: Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey protects rare wildlife populations and the habitats they depend on. With the grant, it will plant over 20 acres of wildlife habitat at Ponder Lodge, a former golf course. Located on the popular Cape May Peninsula, the project will maximize the site for use by wildlife, especially migratory birds, and people for outdoor recreation. Text code: conserve
• Friends of City Park: Friends of City Park is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of 150-year-old New Orleans City Park. The grant would be used to reestablish 19 acres of ecosystems in the Couturie Forest, a popular woodland, nestled at the center of the park’s 1,300 acres, that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Text code: park
• National Forest Foundation: The National Forest Foundation promotes the health and enjoyment of the National Forest System. The grant would be used to establish 10 miles of trail that lead to Whychus Creek in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains using the most appropriate path to protect natural resources. It would also replant 10 acres of native species to enhance streamside habitat. Text code: forest
  
• WildEarth Guardians: WildEarth Guardians protects and restores wildlife, wild rivers and wild places in the American West. Its Santa Fe River “Stream Team” project coincides with the city’s 400^th anniversary this year. The grant would be used to restore a three-mile historic stretch of waterway and build a trail reconnecting the community with its namesake river. Text code: earth

Check out all the details at RedwoodCreek.com. Posted by Kate