Public Lands Archives | REI Co-op Journal

Raymond David Vela, the new acting director of the National Park Service

Vela To Serve As Acting Director of the NPS, Effective Immediately

Jenni Gritters//October 1, 2019

Raymond David Vela will lead the Park Service effective October 1, 2019, Interior Department Secretary Bernhardt announced with the signing of Order 3345. Read More...

Cyclists ride trails in Bellingham, Washington.

Can You Ride Electric Bikes On Public Lands?

Julie Brown//September 23, 2019

A new order from the Secretary of the Interior directs the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and two more federal agencies to expand electric bike access to the places traditional bikes can ride. Implementing the order could be more complicated that it seems. Read More...

City Parks 2.0

Leslie Nemo//September 12, 2019

The next generation of urban green space is connecting neighborhoods and nature. Read More...

A U.S. Park Ranger gets back into his vehicle after opening a side road within Joshua Tree National Park Thursday. Despite the partial federal shutdown Joshua Tree National Park remained open Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Debate Continues on Funding Parks During Government Shutdowns

Mike Faulk//September 12, 2019

Federal watchdog finds Trump administration broke the law when it diverted recreation funds. Read More...

Young women gather around a worksite with shovels in their hands

In Tennessee, Teenagers Are Taking On Trail Maintenance

Jenni Gritters//September 11, 2019

The story behind how four high schoolers formed a first-ever work crew comprised entirely of women to tackle backlogged projects in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park this summer. Read More...

Are Green Spaces in Cities as Good for Us as Green Spaces in Mountains?

Jenni Gritters//August 30, 2019

Research conducted in the last 10 years reveals that that urban and rural green spaces offer benefits like reduced anxiety and increased happiness. Read More...

Overhead shot of highways surrounded by city forests.

What is Rewilding?

Aer Parris//August 28, 2019

We believe that the outdoors is integral to a life well lived. That’s why we’re dedicated to protecting and advocating for the lands we love... Read More...

Conservationists seek to ‘unlock’ 16 million acres of inaccessible public lands

Mike Faulk//August 21, 2019

More than one in 10 acres of Western state-owned land is inaccessible for recreationists, according to a new study released Monday. Read More...

These Trail Runners Are Changing The World

Clare Gallagher//August 19, 2019

Ultrarunner and activist Clare Gallagher profiles four other runners making a difference in the world and suggests ways that you can make an impact, too. Read More...

a double rainbow over Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah

Bears Ears National Monument Management Draws Criticism As Court Battles Continue

Mike Faulk//August 6, 2019

Concerned parties say the proposed land management plan delays or ignores aspects of conservation planning in favor of development, while proponents say it does plenty to conserve the reduced monument. Here's what you need to know. Read More...

A woman takes a selfie surrounded by a beautiful landscape

Geotagging and Social Media in Our Modern Age of Conservation

Katie Boué//August 2, 2019

We take a look at the debate around the use of geotags on social media, a practice some recreationists say is contributing to the overuse of wild places. Read More...

A rock climber makes a careful move on a large boulder while three people look on, spotting. A snowy mountain and a line of parked cars appear in the background.

The Future Of Climbing Areas

Julie Ellison//July 30, 2019

Here are five popular destinations where climbers and land managers are taking action to mitigate impacts on their local crags. Read More...