California State Parks Foundation, a statewide member-supported nonprofit, and REI Co-op, the specialty outdoor retailer with 29 locations in California, have announced the launch of virtual Earth Day Climate Action, a month long activation to inspire California residents to complete a do-it-yourself clean-up at their local state parks, playgrounds, neighborhood parks, or even just their own backyards.

More than 5,000 volunteers across the state will clean up their communities to bolster climate resiliency by participating in Earth Day Climate Action month.

“Fighting climate change starts at our own front doors,” said Rachel Norton, executive director of California State Parks Foundation. “We are calling on our community of park supporters across the state to steward our natural spaces – while continuing to stay safe through the pandemic.”

California State Parks Foundation has annually mobilized park champions to complete critical projects in state parks in celebration of Earth Day for more than 20 years.

With the pandemic, massive budget cuts, and rampant wildfires in California this past year, California state parks face intensifying threats due to climate change.

It’s more important than ever for Californians to come together to take action for the planet and parks this Earth Day.

When Californians help clean their neighborhoods, local open spaces, streets, and storm drains, they help protect our state beaches and state parks.

To continue to inspire the community, California State Parks Foundation is teaming up with REI, and other event sponsors, to invite Californians to become DIY stewards to protect our earth through a statewide virtual Earth Day Climate Action clean-up throughout April.

California residents can register online to participate in the virtual Earth Day Climate Action month and receive a free Earth Day kit. Earth Day kits are available for pick up with proof of registration at any REI store in California while supplies last starting on Friday, April 9.

Each Earth Day kit includes a face mask, trash bags, REI coupon, stickers, and more. Participants are encouraged to use their Earth Day kit at their local state parks, playgrounds, neighborhood parks, or even just their own backyards to pick-up trash.

After cleaning up, participants have the opportunity to win a special prize by reporting their impact by Saturday, May 1 using this online form.

"We are thrilled to partner with California State Parks Foundation to inspire thousands of California residents and REI members to become DIY stewards for the month of April,” said Haley Caruso, REI’s local brand engagement and impact manager. “Local greenspaces and parks have been an important outlet for many of us during this past year and we are proud to collaborate on this first ever statewide program with California State Parks Foundation in all REI 29 stores in the Golden State.”

According to EarthDay.org, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than one billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national, and local policy changes.

While Californians continue to spend more time at home and in their immediate communities due to the pandemic, virtual Earth Day Climate Action month is an opportunity to connect to a global movement and positively impact our state parks.

To learn more about virtual Earth Day Climate Action month with California State Parks Foundation and REI, visit www.calparks.org/earthday.