"Our expanded commitment to stewardship is a natural evolution of REI's history, culture and mission, and is a pivotal step in our growth as a company and as a responsible corporate citizen."

At REI, stewardship means encouraging the active conservation of nature and inspiring responsible enjoyment of the outdoors. It also means working to operate our business in a responsible manner that enhances the natural world and the health of the communities where we do business. We know that our co-op depends on shared and wild places, members who are passionate about getting outside, and new generations of environmental stewards.

We will continue to take measured steps toward building community, sustainability and preserving the environment. Some of our recent progress includes:

• Community Giving and Outreach: We gave $3 million for outdoor recreation and conservation grants, and an additional $1 million for the preservation and maintenance of community parks in 2006.
• Energy: We purchased 11 million kilowatt hours of green power, 20 percent of our electricity use nationwide.
• Waste Management: We recycle paper, glass and plastic at REI's retail stores.
• Green Building: Our Pittsburgh store is our second location to receive LEED-CI® certification for interior design. Its Silver designation follows our Portland, Ore., store that was the first-ever retail store to earn LEED-CI Gold certification.
• Paper Sourcing: Our updated paper policy builds on a decade of promoting responsible paper purchasing.
• Responsible Manufacturing: We worked with the Outdoor Industry Association to design the Fair Labor Toolkit to help ensure ethical sourcing and manufacturing standards.