REI Awards Appalachian Trail Conservancy $20,000 Grant to Support Volunteer Leadership Development
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has received a $20,000 grant from REI to support the ATC's Volunteer Leadership Meeting held this August.
- (1888PressRelease) June 19, 2012 - Harpers Ferry, WV - The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce it has received a $20,000 grant from REI, a national outdoor retailer committed to connecting people with nature, to support the ATC's Volunteer Leadership Meeting held this August.
Ninety leaders from the ATC's 31 Trail Club affiliates will attend the two day meeting to focus on volunteer leadership development. Participants will learn about volunteer recruitment and retention, Trail history and culture, and the role of technology and social medial. The event will take place from August 10 to 12 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
REI has provided support to the ATC for nearly a decade. Annually, REI dedicates a portion of its operating profits to support and participate in outdoor volunteerism-working with hundreds of nonprofit organizations in communities across the country.
"The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to have supporters like REI to help further train and develop the future leaders and stewards of the Appalachian Trail," said Mark Wenger, executive director of the ATC.
REI stores in Georgia and Virginia have conducted many Leave No Trace workshops for volunteers. Last year the Asheville REI store hosted the Radical Reels Tour, donating all proceeds to the ATC. REI staff has also assisted several times with the ATC's Trail to Every Classroom program training.
"At REI we are committed to living active lives in the outdoors and caring for the places where we recreate," said Ray Dinterman, REI retail director. "In partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, we bring our stewardship ethic to life by working side-by-side with our members, employees and entire communities maintaining one of our country's most treasured resources, the Appalachian Trail."
About REI
REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions. For more information, please visit www.rei.com/stewardship.
Contact: Kristen Ragain
Giving Coordinator/Public Affairs
REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc)
Tel: 253-437-8485
Email: kragain ( @ ) rei dot com
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail - ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information visit www.appalachiantrail.org.
Contact: Javier Folgar
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel: 304.535.2200 x117
Fax: 304.535.2267
Email: jfolgar ( @ ) appalachiantrail dot org
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org
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