Public Lands Archives | REI Co-op Journal

Nevada's red rocks aglow around the time of sunset

State Offices Are Changing the Conversation Around Outdoor Recreation

Matt Wastradowski//June 14, 2019

There are now 13 state offices aimed at improving access to wild spaces, encouraging conservation, bolstering the recreation economy and more. Here's a look at three of the newest state offices of outdoor recreation. Read More...

A helicopter drops water onto the forest fires in the Mendocino National Forest, California.

This Year’s Wildfire Season Could Look Similar to 2018, Officials Say

Mike Faulk//June 14, 2019

58,000 wildfires burned more than 8.7 million acres on federal, state, tribal and private land in 2018. Testifying before Congress on Thursday, officials said 2019 could look very similar. Read More...

River winds its way through steep cliffs.

10 Places to Hike for National Trails Day

Matt Wastradowski//May 27, 2019

This National Trails Day, find a local trail to hike. Even better? We've picked 10 trails that each have seen recent volunteer trail work. Read More...

Hikers stand along the top of a ridgeline, looking and pointing every which way under a bright-blue sky.

This Initiative Is Helping to Offset Overuse on Colorado’s Highest Peaks

Betsy Welch//May 24, 2019

According to the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, approximately 334,000 people hike to the top of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks each year. This is the story of how one initiative is using letter grades to help protect and conserve the summit routes. Read More...

Kayakers on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

REI Member Meeting 2019: Eric Artz Named New Co-op CEO

REI Staff//May 6, 2019

REI leaders discussed the co-op's impact, the inspiration for the growth ahead and why fighting for life outdoors is more important than ever. Read More...

Mikah Meyer on top of Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park

Why I Visted All 419 National Park Sites in the U.S.

Mikah Meyer//April 29, 2019

On the 11th anniversary of his father's passing from cancer, the author made it his mission to visit all 400+ units of the U.S. National Park System, attempting to become the sole person to do so in a single journey. Here's what happened along the way. Read More...

David Bernhardt, wearing a jacket and tie, sitting at a wooden desk

David Bernhardt Confirmed as Interior Department Secretary

REI Staff//April 11, 2019

David Bernhardt, a career lawyer and lobbyist, was confirmed as the new Interior Department Secretary in a vote today in the Senate. Read More...

David Bernhardt at a Senate committee hearing

Senators Press Interior Secretary Nominee David Bernhardt on Public Lands During Committee Hearing

Julie Brown//March 29, 2019

This week, President Trump’s nominee for interior secretary testified before and answered questions from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Read More...

Sens. Murkowski and Cantwell: The Significance of the Public Lands Package

Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Maria Cantwell//March 26, 2019

Sens. Murkowski and Cantwell, lead sponsors of the landmark public lands package in the Senate, say Americans have a lot to celebrate. Read More...

Life on the Road, Kids in Tow

Shanti Hodges//March 20, 2019

Many of us dream of selling our home and hitting the road. Meet five families who have done just that. Read More...

The Story Behind Indiana’s First National Park

Cassidy Randall//March 13, 2019

Indiana Dunes recently became the country's newest national park—a conservation effort more than 100 years in the making. Read More...

Landmark Public Lands Package Becomes Law

REI Staff//March 12, 2019

The president signed into law a bill that secures protections for more than 2.5 million acres of public lands and more than 500 hundred miles of river. Read More...