For the third straight year, the Seattle-based retailer invests to ‘reverse the trend’ of living indoors.

You might not think of Los Angeles, Chicago, or Washington, D.C., as outdoors destinations. But that may change soon thanks to the continued financial support and nonprofit partnership spearheaded by REI.
Now in their third year, REI’s “rewilding projects” aim to improve outdoor recreation infrastructure and access within five urban centers: San Francisco; Los Angeles; Chicago; Washington, D.C; and Seattle. And with a donation of more than $600,000 this year, the effort has now generated $1.6 million to add and maintain trails, improve public transit routes, publicize outdoor recreation options, and more.
REI ‘Rewilding’ US Cities

“With almost 80 percent of the United States population living in urban areas — and the fact that the average American spends 95 percent of their life indoors — we decided it was the time to rewild cities,” said Kristen Ragain, REI’s philanthropy and community partnership manager.
This year’s investment backs up a report REI published last year analyzing the effects of an indoor vs. outdoor lifestyle. Titled “The Path Ahead,” REI’s report aimed to demonstrate the benefits of spending more time outside.
With the help of local nonprofit partners in each of the five target cities, REI’s rewilding efforts add more outdoor recreation opportunities in areas dominated by indoor lifestyles.

San Francisco: Bay Area Ridge Trail
Los Angeles: San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
Chicago: Big Marsh
