Examples of local REI on-the-ground stewardship grants in 2006 include:

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy (Harpers Ferry, W. Va.) -Through financial and gear grants, this nonprofit helps keep 2,175 miles of footpath cleared of invasive vegetation and caring for 265 shelters from Massachusetts to Florida. REI's support assisted in outreach efforts to recruit new volunteers on college campuses.
• Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Pittsburgh, Pa.) - The Conservancy's Urban EcoSteward program educates and enlists volunteers to maintain sections of urban park land by removing invasive species, planting native flora, stabilizing soil erosion and cleaning litter. REI's grant funded outreach materials, plants and their volunteer program.

Nationally, REI partners with large and influential nonprofits that coordinate stewardship projects around national events such as American Hiking Society's National Trails Day, Adopt-a-Crag though the Access Fund, and National Public Lands Day.

An example of a nationally-funded partnership is REI's support of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). REI has partnered with the association to promote volunteerism in the mountain biking community. Our funds support the development of co-branded print and online resources for use by IMBA's state-level affiliations. The long-term goal of the partnership is to record 5,000 volunteer days in 2007 and 10,000 volunteer days in the year 2010.