February 7, 2024 – Sarasota
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was recently awarded a $20,000 grant from the REI Cooperative Action Fund. The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a community-supported public charity – founded by outdoor retailer REI Co-op – that brings together the collective strength of the community to support organizations improving the well-being of all people through time outside. Distributed in two $10,000 increments over two years, the grant supports Conservation Foundation’s ongoing work to create meaningful opportunities for individuals from all walks of life to engage and connect with the natural world.
The $20,000 grant is part of the REI Fund’s Creating Space Outside initiative, which aims to increase equitable access to outdoor spaces and recreation opportunities (parks, trails, open space, waterways) by prioritizing community-led solutions that bring nature’s individual and environmental benefits closer to home for marginalized communities.
“At Conservation Foundation, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We believe all people should be able to equitably experience the benefits of spending time in nature,” comments Christine P. Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation. “We are grateful to the REI Cooperative Action Fund for generously supporting our work and increasing equitable access to nature, not just in our community, but across the United States.”
Conservation Foundation provides numerous free community education outings and events, including their annual Wild About Nature Festival, guided outdoor experiences such as hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching, natural art exhibits, and various outdoor performance events in collaboration with local arts organizations. Through their youth education program, they provide hands-on outdoor experiences and environmental education to thousands of primarily underserved children. Learn more about their programs and outreach at conservationfoundation.com.
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