REI joins national parks campaign

REI is looking to increase sales to its stores by joining the National Park Service on a campaign to lure more visitors to America's national parks.

In its role as "Official Outdoor Retailer" of the National Park Centennial celebration, the co-op aims to inspire, guide and outfit people with a passion to explore these national treasures more deeply.

"REI began in the national parks. Seventy-six years ago our founders and their friends searched for an ice axe to climb Mount Rainier, and the co-op was born," said Jerry Stritzke, REI president and CEO. "Spending time in these treasured places often creates a deep and lasting connection with the outdoors. We're incredibly lucky to have access to them, and part of REI's job is to invest our resources into the places that inspire our members, and people everywhere, to enjoy their lives outside."

REI’s Find Your Park initiative encourages people to find their own personal connections within the network of national parks and public lands. Through 2017, REI plans to offer expanded gear and programs tailored for national parks through 140 stores and REI.com.

To kick off Find Your Park, REI will also launch five new REI Adventures trips at national parks. In honor of the National Park Service Centennial, REI Adventures will donate 10 percent of the retail price for each of its national park destinations to the National Park Foundation through 2016.

Stritzke continued, "REI is aiming to connect people everywhere, including our community of 5.5 million members, with America's greatest natural spaces – in particular the hidden gems. We're channeling a good portion of our support for the centennial into stewarding these places so that their beauty can be enjoyed for generations."

Additional information about REI's partnership is available at rei.com/nationalparks. More announcements will be shared in the coming months, including how REI will extend its support of more than 300 non-profits who create access to more than 600 inspiring outdoor spaces.

REI has 140 stores in 33 states.