We Will Never Stop Defending Our Public Lands

To our community -  

REI exists to connect people to the outdoors and believes that it is our place and purpose to advocate for policies that protect the outdoors, for everyone. 

That’s why we’re calling on Secretary Burgum to rescind the sweeping orders undermining the public lands enjoyed by millions of Americans each year, and encourage you to do the same via the Cooperative Action Network.  

Over the past week, we have listened to your feedback and heard your questions regarding our decision to sign an industry-led letter supporting Secretary Burgum’s nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Interior.  

We believe progress requires dialogue and engagement, no matter who is in power. And we will never stop defending our public lands. 

While he received strong bipartisan support, based on Secretary Burgum’s track record we expected to agree with some actions and disagree with others. As we have through many administrations, we will speak up when we disagree—and we’ll invite you to join us when we do. We signed onto the industry letter supporting his nomination in acknowledgement of his work to champion outdoor recreation, the link between health and nature, and establish the Office of Outdoor Recreation in North Dakota. At the same time, we will not stand by as the Secretary considers redrawing the boundaries of all public lands currently protected from fossil fuel and mining development—including 160 national monuments. 

 Over the past few years, more than 100,000 members of our co-op community have raised their collective voice to advocate for the protection of more than a million acres of public lands through the designation of national monuments like Chuckwalla and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footsteps of the Grand Canyon National Monuments, and the expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain and San Gabriel Mountains National Monuments. 

 We will never shy away from speaking out with the outdoor community. Our mission remains clear: To connect every person to the power of the outdoors and engage them in the fight to protect it.  

About the REI Co-op