REI celebrates new public lands rule elevating conservation and recreation

SEATTLE - REI applauds the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for finalizing its Public Lands Rule designed to ensure healthy landscapes across the 245 million acres under its management.  

BLM lands include some of our most treasured recreation spots, critical habitats, and places sacred to Tribal Nations and communities. With 10% of U.S. land in BLM care and an astounding 85% of those lands open for oil and gas leasing, this rule represents an approach to managing our public lands that meets today’s challenges and opportunities.  

"The entire co-op community applauds the BLM for seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the way we manage our public lands” said Eric Artz, President and CEO of REI Co-op. "This rule empowers the country's largest land manager to prioritize the health and vitality of our most treasured landscapes. Solving the climate crisis requires large-scale cooperation and new ways of thinking. We're thrilled to see BLM embracing its role in ensuring the transformative power of the outdoors for future generations." 

While this rule makes clear that BLM lands will continue to support multiple uses—including grazing, mining and drilling—it establishes conservation as a “use” on equal footing with the rest. This clarification is essential to unlocking sustainable stewardship of our public lands. We’re pleased to see BLM embracing its role in ensuring the transformative power of the outdoors for future generations. 

We invite our community to thank the BLM for their notable effort and encourage their ongoing prioritization of conservation and recreation via the REI Cooperative Action Network.  

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