Salt Lake City, UT – The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center last week announced that it has received a $5,000 grant from Recreational Equipment, Inc., a national outdoor retail co-op better known as REI, to support the organization’s Know Before You Go (KBYG) avalanche awareness program.nThe KBYG program, designed especially for young adults and presented most frequently at middle and high schools, provides the basics of avalanche awareness. The funds from REI will go directly to teaching avalanche safety in Utah.

Avalanches kill more Utahns than any other natural hazard. “You can prevent most accidents by knowing a few simple rules,” said Bruce Tremper, Director of the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center. “This program has saved many lives.”

The grant from REI is the result of a nomination made by employees at the Salt Lake City store, a long-time supporter of the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, a non-profit organization that partners with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center to provide avalanche forecasting, education, and awareness in Utah. Funding for avalanche forecasting and education in Utah is provided by a combination of Federal, State, Salt Lake County, private, and business contributions.