The rangers at Mission Trails have gone high tech. Thanks to a $5,000 grant from Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI), the MTRP Foundation was able to deliver a holiday surprise. A present for each ranger included an iPad Air with a keyboard and protective case. Rangers now have a mobile office at their fingertips no matter where they are in the park. On Jan. 7, Alyson Wright, market outreach specialist, and Jose Gonzalez, manager of outdoor programs with REI, visited Mission Trails to meet some of the rangers. At the same time they said, \u201cWe have a surprise for you.\u201d On Dec. 19, Alyson contacted me indicating that REI corporate was asking for projects they might help with. Because the MTRP Foundation was a potential recipient, we were asked to submit a request for funds that would help with the restoration of the 95 acres burned in last summer\u2019s fire on Kwaay Paay. The park\u2019s Senior Ranger, Andy Quinn, submitted a request for funds to help with cost of materials. REI responded and on Jan. 7, Alyson and Jose presented the MTRP Foundation with a check for $20,000 to help with restoration materials.<\/p>\n On Jan. 15, the second group of AmeriCorps youth will arrive for a 10-week stay at MTRP. AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. They will be \u201croughing it\u201d in that they will be camping at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground. The AmeriCorps members will be working under the supervision of ranger Levi Dean to continue the restoration of much of the area that burned on Kwaay Paay. They will be working with materials purchased with funds from the REI grant.<\/p>\n![\"i-Pad](\"https:\/\/missiontimescourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/i-Pad-Air-Tablets-and-Ragers-REI-010715webtop.jpg\")
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