Reno Clinics and Events

REI Gives: 2009 Reno Grant Recipients

2009 - 2010

Annually, REI dedicates a portion of its operating profits to help protect and restore the environment, increase access to outdoor activities, and encourage involvement in responsible outdoor recreation. REI employees nominate organizations, projects, and programs in which they are personally involved to receive funding or gear donations. For more information on REI grants, see http://www.rei.com/aboutrei/gives02.html.

Tahoe Rim Trail Association:
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) engages volunteer leadership to meet the ever increasing demand for sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities. With REI's grant support TRTA Trail Operations program will engage volunteers in two new extensive trail construction projects that will involve building up to 20 miles of new trails, in addition to maintaining 165 miles of existing trail. REI's grant will also support the TRTA Trail Use program in providing guided hiking, backpacking and winter programs for the general public through volunteer leadership. Volunteers are critical links in helping the TRTA continue to meet the needs of the public. Grant funds will benefit these efforts by providing support for coordination and training materials and supplies for TRTA's numerous volunteer trainings, ranging from Trail Construction, Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace to Guide & Hike Leader Training.

Sierra Nevada Journeys:
Sierra Nevada Journeys' Classrooms Unleashed guides students to an understanding of the importance and significance of the water, wildlife, and habitats in Nevada's ecosystem through field trips. The understanding gained from this program leads students to be respectful and responsible stewards of nature. REI's grant will provide resources to help expand the impact of these experiences by including family field-trips in addition to classroom trips. By involving families, lessons will be reinforced at home resulting in a larger impact on students, families, and the community. Lessons include Leave No Trace (using REI's PEAK packs), forest & stream ecology, watershed education, leadership, teambuilding, and land maintenance. Learning will be hands-on, inquiry-based and will address students' multiple intelligences. REI's grant will support program coordination and will provide educational supplies for students.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness:
Friends of Nevada Wilderness (Friends) will use REI's grant to engage Nevadans from all over the state to experience first-hand Nevada's beautiful wild places and to become dedicated wilderness stewards. Friends will recruit volunteers and introduce them to the wonders of hiking and camping in Nevada, while at the same time showing them how to make a difference through on-the-ground wilderness stewardship projects. REI funds will be used for recruiting and safely managing volunteers to carry out at least 30 projects with four oriented specifically toward families. REI's funding will allow Friends to recruit new volunteers, teach them to work safely, show appreciation for their dedication and assist them with travel costs in these tough economic times.