REI Co-op celebrates National Public Lands Day with over 75 stewardship events across the country

SEATTLE, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- REI Co-op is celebrating National Public Lands Day with over 75 events across the country to steward and raise awareness for public lands. From repairing local trails to beautifying parks to community celebrations, REI is inviting members of all ages and abilities to join in the effort. Events begin Sept. 22 and continue through the end of the month.

"Public lands are where Americans go to hike, camp, paddle, climb and more," said Kristen Ragain, REI philanthropy and community partnership manager. "National Public Lands Day is a time to celebrate and give back to the local trails, parks and waterways where we live, work and play."

Public lands are outdoor spaces that are owned by the general public and managed by federal, state, county and city agencies. This includes national parks and monuments, wildlife refuges, forests, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes, reservoirs and local parks. National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer event for public lands and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. Learn more about public lands here.

REI is inviting members and the public to join in the celebration in the following ways:

• Join a stewardship event - From coast-to-coast, the co-op is involved in numerous stewardship activities to maintain trails, clean up parks and raise awareness for public lands. Events are free and open to REI members and the public. For a full list of events, click here.
• Learn more about the co-op's investment in public lands - This year, REI is investing a total of $8.8 million in 400 nonprofit partners to steward more than 1,000 outdoor spaces across the country. This investment supports vital trail maintenance and restoration efforts on public lands to ensure they remain accessible now and in the future. Learn more about these efforts here.
• Get outside and take a friend - On National Public Lands Day, it's easier than ever to get outside – entrance fees to all National Parks are waived on Sept. 22. Learn more about ways to experience public lands with others here.

About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 17 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 152 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. If you can't visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the free REI shopping app. REI isn't just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs more than 170 custom-designed itineraries worldwide. The REI Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner-to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

SOURCE REI Co-op