Earth Day event at REI: Exploring Coastal Beaches & Marshes

Many of our Atlanta Outdoor Club members may be unaware that our four Metro Atlanta REI stores offer a wide variety of FREE classes, seminars and talks on topics including basic backpacking, camping, hiking, bicycling, paddling, skiing, climbing & mountaineering—also educational talks on the environment and first-hand accounts of exotic adventures and favorite wilderness destinations!  Each session is presented by an invited guest speaker who is an expert in their field or by an REI employee who is a specialist in the featured topic.

The REI Atlanta Store is celebrating Earth Day 2012 with a special Apr 17 evening program, including food and refreshments, featuring the award-winning GA writer and environmentalist Charles Seabrook on the subject of Southeastern Coastal Beaches and Marshes.  In the interest of our members who would like to honor Earth Day I've obtained confirmed reservations for a special "subgroup" of 10 AOC members to attend this exciting event.  The REI Atlanta Store is on the I-85 southbound Access Rd near Clairmont Rd—see detailed directions below.  

Our AOC subgroup will first gather at 5:40 PM just inside the store entrance where we'll introduce one another and "take roll."  Then a few minutes before 6:00 PM we'll find seating together in the presentation room where we'll meet Mr. Seabrook and other attendees from the public at large. The program (including food & refreshments!) will be in the large "gear room" behind the right side wall of the store after we enter. 

Here is the recent REI promotional material for this exciting evening program:

"Exploring SE Coastal Beaches and Marshes"
  Join the Georgia Conservancy at REI Atlanta Store for a special Earth Day presentation from award winning columnist and writer Charles Seabrook on April 17th from 6:00 to 8:30. The event will start with light fare and snacks at 6:00 p.m. At 6:30 Charles will begin a presentation on his new book "The World of the Salt Marsh: Appreciating and Protecting the Tidal Marshes of the SE Atlantic Coast".

WHY an AOC "SUBGROUP" for these free REI PRESENTATIONS?  Several good reasons:
- AOC members can conveniently register to attend via our website and may not be aware that the REI event is available without seeing the AtlantaOutdoorClub.com announcement.
- Upcoming AOC events and specialty gear that relate to the presentation topic can be discussed.
- The AOC subgroup can browse the store together before or after the presentation to discuss examples of the relevant gear.

BY THE WAY:  If you'd like to make PERSONAL RESERVATIONS for yourself and your friends or family at FUTURE FREE REI CLASSES and PRESENTATIONS:  You can check the offerings & availability at an REI store near you and reserve your spot(s) as follows:
1. Go to REI.com
2. Click on "Store Locator" in the upper right corner of the home page and choose your Store of interest from the pop-up menus that appear.
3. Click on the free Class or Presentation of interest. (Various fee-based classes are also available.)
4. Fill in the online Reservation form and submit (may require your REI member number—costs only $20 for a lifetime membership).
5. If you fail to make a formal reservation, keep in mind that walk-ins at these events are usually acceptable, but only on a space-available or standing-room-only basis.