REI has a long history of advocacy in support of the outdoors and outdoor recreation. This support has come in many forms, from direct involvement in public policy discussions, to funding issues important to recreation and conservation, to providing education and information in support of issues of importance to the outdoors.

Issues are selected based on their importance to the outdoor community and the outdoor experiences of REI members, on REI's ability to be influential in the desired outcome, and on the potential precedent that policy matters may have for the future of outdoor recreation and the conservation of recreational lands and waters.

For 2006 our public policy agenda pursued the following activities and efforts:

• National support and funding for public lands, and in particular, continued and adequate funding for the Land Water Conservation Fund, with an emphasis on the program's state-side funds.
• Continued protection of high-quality federal recreational lands as identified under the Roadless Rule implemented during the Clinton Administration.
• Active support of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and its efforts to secure state funding for protection and enhancement of public lands, trails, habitat and farmlands in Washington state.
• Financial support and the endorsement of two state-level conservation ballot measures.

• Click on the following links for additional information on REI's actions on national or state-level advocacy.