Outstanding Partnerships: REIs commitment to the American River Conservancy goes above and beyond the traditional grantor – grantee relationship.

For more than 20 years, the American River Conservancy (ARC) has been working to permanently protect rivers and wildlands in the central Sierra Nevada foothills. REI has consistently provided support for the American River Conservancy's conservation, stewardship, and education programs.

In addition to funding several years' worth of stewardship and education projects, REI's commitment to the organization has gone above and beyond the traditional grantor – grantee relationship.

The staff at the REI retail store in Folsom, CA does a terrific job of keeping the REI community & membership engaged and involved in all that the American River Conservancy has to offer their community. Whether it's sharing upcoming events and programs thought various media outlets, sponsoring stewardship and restoration events, including National Trails Day, or providing much-needed in-kind support (equipment, materials, and staff support), REI continues to be a leader in philanthropic support of conservation in the central Sierra Nevada foothills.

An example of the multi-faceted partnership between ARC and REI is REI's support of the South Fork American River Trail Project. REI provided a grant to support trail property acquisition and development while also sponsoring a local National Trails Day event in partnership with the BLM, American River Conservancy and the National Hiking Society. This local event brings over 100 volunteers annually to complete trail maintenance and restoration work along the South Fork American River near Coloma, CA.

American River Conservancy is a grassroots organization.  Their partnership with REI allows them to educate and inspire their local community and bring awareness to the benefits of protecting lands and rivers for future generations to enjoy.  Without REI's ongoing support, ARC will not be able to provide the number of education and outdoor recreation programs, or continue the habitat restoration, trail building and maintenance projects necessary to preserve our wild spaces.