Fundraising is kicking into high gear for Neste Valley portion of Dry Run Trail

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is kicking into high gear to raise a total of $1 million in donations for the Dry Run Recreational Trail through Neste Valley.

The group has raised $600,000 in pledges and donations for the project so far.  Fundraising material for the project calls the trail "Decorah's next natural attraction."

Long-range plans call for eight miles of Dry Run Trail connecting the Trout Run Trail in Decorah to the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail from Calmar to Cresco.  The completion of the Dry Run Trail would mean that Northeast Iowa would have a connected trail system amounting to 43 miles of trails.

Neste Valley Recreational Area contains one mile of former railbed that can become the start of Dry Run Trail.  Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation says, "There is potential at Neste Valley for picnicking, camping, cabins, interpretive trails, and public hunting.  Environmental education will be offered, including historic interpretation of the former rail corridor and the farmstead."

For more information, or to donate, visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/inhf