Join us to #RecreateResponsibly // New coalition and toolkit launching Wednesday // Amplification starting 5/21

#RecreateResponsibly coalition

As you know, the public health crisis is demonstrating just how profoundly helpful outdoor experiences can be for many Americans. At the same time, whether you’re a seasoned outdoorist or a family heading to a local park for the first time, people could use easy-to-follow, consistent guidance about how to stay safe outdoors. Guidance is rolling out from different quarters, but it could benefit from simplification and amplification. The #RecreateResponsibly Coalition is coming together quickly to offer that simplification and amplification of what could become new norms for responsible recreation.

By Wednesday, (today) there will be a soft launch of the web site http://www.RecreateResponsibly.org.** We are asking organizations from the private and public sectors to use tools available at that site and, on May 21st, join REI and dozens of partners in beginning a norm-setting movement. The goal is to help all of us return to our public lands and waters in a responsible manner, to help keep ourselves and others healthy, and to keep our public spaces open. Simplicity and consistency are key.

The tips are:

• Know Before you Go - Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it is closed, don’t go. If it’s crowded, have a plan B.
• Plan Ahead - Prepare for facilities to be closed, pack lunch and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a mask.
• Stay Close to Home - This is not the time to travel long distances to recreate. Most places are only open for day use.
• Practice Physical Distancing - Adventure only with your immediate household. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth and give others space. If you are sick, stay home.
• Play It Safe - Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue operations and health care resources are both strained.
• Leave No Trace - Respect public lands and communities and take your garbage with you, including disposable gloves, masks, and toilet paper

If you’d like to join the movement,

Please download all assets (graphics, social content in English/Spanish) starting Wednesday. A sample is below.
Feel free to adopt, integrate and promote this content in any way you wish starting at 8am EDT Thursday, May 21.
If you’d like your organization’s logo included on the Coalition website, please upload a jpeg here.

The Coalition’s initial cohort has come together in just the past 3-4 weeks. It started in Washington state but now includes a dozen+ national orgs. We know that the situation is evolving and differs from place to place, so this near-term amplification should be seen as a major first step. The tips could very well require an update. Also, we expect this conversation to continue for the next 6+ months. In particular, we hope to do our next big pushes around the Fourth of July and Labor Day. (**And we are in dialogue with members of the #ResponsibleRecreation effort about aligning the work**)

Thank you for considering this and for your longer-term partnership in the fight for life outdoors. Your friends at REI Co-op.

Marc Berejka
Director | Government & Community Affairs
Recreational Equipment, Inc. | 253.437.7991
-we believe an outdoor life is a life well-lived-