Outside in 5 with REI Co-op

Outside in 5 with REI Co-op

By REI Co-op

REI Co-op last month launched Outside in 5, a new commitment to get 100 million people outside in 5 minutes or less. In this blog, the co-op answers questions about the history and societal implications of the nature gap, and how Outside in 5 will help ensure equitable access to outdoor spaces for all.

Q: WHAT IS OUTSIDE IN 5?

In 2015, REI launched our #OptOutside campaign, encouraging the nation to get outside and enjoy family on Black Friday instead of filling the malls. But the reality is, #OptOutside isn’t as easy as it sounds. 

Data from the Trust for Public Land shows that over 100 million people in the United States – that’s nearly 1 in 3 of us – lack access to outside spaces close to home. Millions more face other barriers to connecting to nature and the many benefits it brings.

Outside in 5 is a community-focused initiative that supports local projects and national, state, and local legislation in pursuit of REI’s goal of getting 100 million people outside in five minutes or less, no matter where they live.

Q: WHAT IS THE NATURE GAP?

The Nature Gap – also known as the Green Gap or the Outdoor Equity Gap – refers to the disparities in access to nature and outdoor spaces that exist among different populations. The gap results from various factors including exclusionary public planning, economic barriers, physical isolation, lack of transportation, and more.

People who live in urban areas, low-income neighborhoods, isolated rural communities, communities of color, as well as other marginalized communities are most affected by this gap.

Q: WHY IS ACCESS TO NATURE AND OUTDOOR SPACES SO IMPORTANT?

At REI, we believe that time outside is fundamental to the well-being of all people. We know it from the outdoor experiences of members and in the excitement of our customers gearing up to enjoy their favorite activity. An increasing body of research demonstrates the many ways that time outside can improve physical, mental, and community well-being. 

Time outside is a necessity, not a luxury.

Q: HOW DOES OUTSIDE IN 5 AIM TO CLOSE THE NATURE GAP?

The Outside in 5 initiative is intended to spur awareness and mobilize societal action to help close the nature gap by elevating locally led efforts and rallying our community to take action, nationally and close to home. Additionally, the co-op is backing community-led organizations and amplifying policies, like the Outdoors for All Act, to ensure everyone has an outdoor experience within 5 minutes of home.

Advocates from these communities, organizational leaders, and forward-leaning policymakers have identified a range of tools that can be deployed to close these gaps. They generally fall into three categories in need of policy prioritization and investment outlined in our community playbook:

• Proximity: Close-to-home green spaces
• Connection: Safe sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use trails
• Equity: Enable belonging and access outside

We’re calling on our co-op community and everyone who believes in the power of life outside to join us. Let’s raise our outside voices to create more green spaces and attack the inequalities that stand in the way of everyone spending time outside.