REI Announces Historic Partnership for 100th Birthday of National Park Service

31 March 2015
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Co-op introduces five new REI Adventures destinations and donates 10 percent of proceeds from park trips to the National Park Foundation

ZIO-06-Butler_092413_0135a_cropSeattle, WA – Today, the nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI, announced its support of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016 through a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. The partnership kicks off this week with the launch of Find Your Park, a public awareness and education campaign celebrating the milestone centennial anniversary of the National Park Service and setting the stage for the next 100 years.

In its role as “Official Outdoor Retailer” for the National Park Centennial celebration, the co-op aims to inspire, guide and outfit people with a passion to explore these national treasures more deeply. The national parks are living proof of the American spirit of exploration and discovery, but there can be more to experiencing the parks than simply being there. For that reason, for both experienced visitors and first-time explorers, REI will focus on helping people experience the parks more deeply.

ZIO-09-Parrish_092910_1055_001“REI began in the national parks. Seventy-six years ago our founders and their friends searched for an ice axe to climb Mount Rainier, and the co-op was born,” said Jerry Stritzke, REI president and CEO. “Spending time in these treasured places often creates a deep and lasting connection with the outdoors. We’re incredibly lucky to have access to them, and part of REI’s job is to invest our resources into the places that inspire our members, and people everywhere, to enjoy their lives outside.”

Find Your Park encourages people to find their own personal connections within the network of national parks and public lands. Through 2017, REI plans to offer expanded gear and programs tailored for national parks through 140 stores and REI.com. To kick off Find Your Park, REI will also launch five new REI Adventures trips at national parks. In honor of the National Park Service Centennial, REI Adventures will donate 10 percent of the retail price for each of its national park destinations to the National Park Foundation through 2016.

Stritzke continued, “REI is aiming to connect people everywhere, including our community of 5.5 million members, with America’s greatest natural spaces – in particular the hidden gems. We’re channeling a good portion of our support for the centennial into stewarding these places so that their beauty can be enjoyed for generations.”

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