REI COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR APRIL

SANDY CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Sandy City REI store. REI is located at 10600 South & 230 West in the northwest corner of the South Towne Mall property. For more information, please call (801) 501-0850 or visit our website at www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link. Attendance is limited to fifty participants on a first- come first- served basis.

PARAGLIDING
Thursday, April 5th, 7pm
Interested in catching a bird’s eye view of the world below? Want to breathe the air at 18,000 feet without climbing a mountain? Come learn about the increasingly popular sport of paragliding. Ken Hudon Jorgenson, this year’s host of the U.S. Paragliding Nationals, presents this evening’s clinic on soaring the skies without mechanized aid. Tonight’s show will include a video presentation that includes footage and discussion of aerobatics and competitions. Ken will also provide the answer to the following questions; what is Sky Camping? How is it possible to reach 18,000 feet and travel 50 to 200 miles? How does one get started? And how does a paraglider pilot become more of a three-dimensional being.

MOUNTAIN BIKING FOR WOMEN
Thursday, April 12th, 7pm
Did you spend the winter dreaming of charging up and down the Wasatch Front trails on two wheels? Join Kari Gillette, local mountain bike enthusiast and racer, to discuss the basics of mountain biking and how much fun you can have in your back yard! This clinic is geared toward women specific mountain biking and will be covering: the basics of the bike, maintenance, clothing, nutrition and local trails and events

THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM
Thursday, April 19th, 7pm
There have been numerous success stories in the conservation of wildlife populations in the Greater Yellowstone Region. Recovery of grizzly bears, wolves, elk, trumpeter swans, bison and other species stand out as examples of the results of diligent conservation efforts. Join Doug Wachob, Director of the Conservation Research Center of Teton Science Schools in Jackson Wyoming, this evening as he recounts the details of these conservation successes and the challenges that lie ahead via images of the animals in their habitat and information about the status of their populations.

GPS 101
Thursday, April 26th, 7pm
A Global Positioning System is a fun and accurate tool that can help you navigate through backcountry terrain or even down city streets. Join REI navigation expert Craig Whetman as he unveils the mysteries of this fun and fascinating piece of technology. This presentation will cover basic GPS functions such as determining latitude and longitude, programming routes, and recording travel.


SALT LAKE CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Salt Lake City REI store. REI is located at 3285 East & 3300 South. For more information, please call 486-2100 or visit our website at www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link and select Salt Lake City.

LEAVE NO TRACE: EDUCATION IN MOTION
Monday, April 2nd, 7pm
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, a non-profit organization dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and above all, respect for public recreation areas, is partnering with REI to promote responsible recreation and environmental stewardship. Come join Traveling Trainers, Team West, North Moench and Ella Goodbrod, for a fun and educational experience. The evening will include a slideshow of their travels across the US in 2006 and 2007. You will learn more about the history, skills and ethics and how to teach others about the Leave No Trace program.

COTTONWOOD, ASPEN, & BUTTERFLIES: ADDICTED TO LARGE PREDATORS?
Tuesday, April 3rd, 7pm
Surprising things happen when wolves or cougars disappear from a landscape. Dr. Robert Beschta, Oregon State University Emeritus Professor of Forest Hydrology, will present outcomes from his current field research in Yellowstone and Zion National Parks, which is revealing how loss of large predators is linked to loss of riparian and stream functioning in the West. Dr. Beschta will speak at 7 p.m. on April 2 in Moab (Moab Information Center; Center and Main) and April 3 in Salt Lake City (REI at 3285 E and 3300 S).

BACKPACKING SKILLS FOR YOUTH
Thursday, April 5th, 7pm
How do you prevent your hiking boots from causing blisters? What is the best way to load up your pack? What do you do if you encounter a moose on the trail? For answers to these questions and more, join the experts from REI tonight for some fun and useful tips on backpacking and camping. This evening’s presentation, designed for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, will cover the ins and outs of gear essentials such as packs, tents, sleeping bags, stoves, footwear, and clothing layers. A special section titled “Respect It!” will highlight the seven principles of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Families, youth groups and scout troops are encouraged to attend!

PARAGLIDING
Tuesday, April 10th, 7pm
Interested in catching a bird’s eye view of the world below? Want to breathe the air at 18,000 feet without climbing a mountain? Come learn about the increasingly popular sport of paragliding. Ken Hudon Jorgenson, this year’s host of the U.S. Paragliding Nationals, presents this evening’s clinic on soaring the skies without mechanized aid. Tonight’s show will include a video presentation that includes footage and discussion of aerobatics and competitions. Ken will also provide the answer to the following questions; what is Sky Camping? How is it possible to reach 18,000 feet and travel 50 to 200 miles? How does one get started? And how does a paraglider pilot become more of a three-dimensional being.


REI SPECIAL EVENTS:

BIKE BONANZA AT REI SANDY
Saturday, April 14th, 11am-3pm
Get ready to roll into spring two wheeled style! On Saturday, April 14th, REI Sandy will feature free presentations by cycling experts on topics such as do-it-yourself bicycle maintenance, ride preparation, Fix–a–flat and more. Bike rodeo for kids, test rides and raffle prizes. Whether you’re an advanced rider looking to take your game to the next level, or just enjoy taking the kids out for rides on weekend through the neighborhood, the REI Bike Bonanza has something for you! Visit www.rei.com and click on the stores & events tab for a complete schedule.

REI ADULT CLIMBING NIGHT
Thursday, April 19th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
We would like to invite you to attend Adults-only (16 & up) climbing night at the Salt Lake City REI store. This is a perfect opportunity for beginners as well as experienced climbers to climb our one-of-a-kind wall on routes ranging from 5.5 to 5.13 in difficulty. You are welcome to invite your friends & family to attend. Please RSVP via email to espreng@rei.com so that as many of our REI certified belayers are available as necessary. Climbing harnesses of all sizes will be available at no charge, and climbing shoes can be rented for the evening at the low cost of only $2.00. Whether you are looking to start climbing, train for next summer, or meet people with similar interests come enjoy an evening of climbing & camaraderie with your friends at the Salt Lake City REI.


COMMUNITY EVENTS:

4TH STREET CLINIC TRIATHLON & 5K
Saturday, April 14th, 8am
Ride, Run & Swim at the U of U Campus, all for a good cause! Events include Individual Triathlon (300 yard swim, 8 mile MOUNTAIN bike, 5K run), Team Triathlon (teams of 2-3 people, same course & distances as individual triathlon) and 5K Run/Walk (strollers permitted). All proceeds benefit the 4th Street Clinic, providing health care for the homeless. Please visit http://umed.med.utah.edu/get%5Finvolved/clubs/homelessclinic/triathlon/index.html for more information and registration.

PURGE YOUR SPURGE! MYRTLE SPURGE/NATIVE PLANT EXCHANGE
April 14th & 21st, 10am-3pm
This April, don’t miss out on a great opportunity to purge your spurge and rid your garden of myrtle spurge (or as some call it donkey tail spurge) and receive free Utah native plants in exchange! Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) is a non-native, highly invasive, garden plant that is rapidly spreading in our foothills and canyons, crowding out the native vegetation. Join the Bonneville CWMA, the Great Salt Lake RC&D, and the Salt Lake Soil Conservation District, along with volunteers from the Intermountain Native Plant Growers Association and the Utah Native Plant Society, at REI in Salt Lake City as we work to protect our canyons by preventing the spread of myrtle spurge in our foothills. On April 14 & 21, 2007 bring your bagged myrtle spurge to REI at 3200 East 3300 South, where volunteers will be on hand to take your plants and give you up to five potted Utah native plants in exchange. In addition, receive a planting guide and learn about noxious and invasive species in Salt Lake and what you can do to help prevent their spread. For more information contact Salt Lake County Weed Program staff at 801-468-2861 or on the web at www.weeds.slco.org.

BEND-IN-THE-RIVER EARTH DAY PLANTING AND CELEBRATION
Saturday, April 21st, 8:30am
Plant trees, restore wetlands, welcome back native wildlife…celebrate the Earth and the Bend’s 10th year with people from throughout the community. Start the morning with a light breakfast, followed by planting, a tasty lunch, and the presentation of our community partner awards. REI will be leading children’s activities, and a variety of restoration opportunities will be available. Bend-In-The-River is located at 1030 West Fremont Avenue (1100 South). For more information please contact Tara Poelzing, Bend-in-the-River coordinator, at tpoelzing@sa.utah.edu or 801-587-9027 or visit www.bend-in-the-river.org

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER
Saturday, April 21st, Noon to 4pm
Come celebrate Earth Day at Ogden Nature Center! Expect earth-friendly vendors, exhibitors, entertainment, food and activities. Explore the trails and visit the Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Picnic Grove and Treehouse, enjoy the view from the Willard L. Eccles Observation Tower at Avocet Pond, or just kick back and make new friends. Donations will be gratefully accepted. All proceeds will benefit the mission of Ogden Nature Center: to unite people with nature and nurture appreciation and stewardship of the environment. The event is $1 per person or FREE if you ride the bus or bike! The Ogden Nature Center is located at 966 West 12th Street, Ogden. Call Sabrina Foster at 801-621-7595 or visit www.ogdennaturecenter.org for more information.


CLASSES:

REI GPS NAVIGATION DAY
Saturday, April 17th, 9am-3pm
Spend a day with REI GPS experts in the classroom and in Parley’s Park to learn how to use your GPS unit in the field. Participants should have some familiarity with GPS and/or have attended REI’s GPS 101 evening clinic. You’ll practice finding your way from point A to point B, first establishing where you are, and then where you want to go. Learn route-finding skills, such as: how to transfer waypoints from your PC to your GPS unit, how to use the U.T.M. grid system vs. latitude and longitude coordinates, and how to create your own custom maps. Tuition is $15 for REI members, $30 for non-members, please sign up in person or by phone at our REI SLC location, 801-486-2100.


COMMUNITY GROUP MEETINGS & PRESENTATIONS

UTAH NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
Wednesday, April 4th, 7pm
Amber Richman, USDA-APHIS-PPQ Biological Control will discuss various bio controls used on several invasive species in the state of Utah. She will talk about how bio controls are tested before being released and the impacts that they have on the environment. This talk is free and open to the public. The Utah Native Plant Society is dedicated to the appreciation, preservation, conservation and responsible use of the native plant and plant communities found in the state of Utah and the Intermountain West. Visit www.unps.org.

UTAH STATEWIDE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Wednesday, April 11th, 7pm
The Utah Statewide Archaeological Society (USAS) is an organization conceived for the individual who is curious about or wants to learn more about archaeology and the state’s prehistoric cultures. Meetings and presentations are free of charge and open to the public. Visit www.utaharchaeology.org.