A local couple is being honored by a national outdoor retail co-op for their contributions to the outdoors.

	Roy Weil and Mary Shaw have won one of seven Stewards for the Environment awards given by Recreational Equipment Inc. (Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette)

Seattle-based Recreational Equipment Inc., or REI, gave out seven Stewards for the Environment awards, including one to Squirrel Hill's Mary Shaw and Roy Weil. The cycling tandem, recipients of the local Venture Outdoors Recreation & Outdoor Community Steward award in 2003, were feted for the guidebooks they write (donating the proceeds to outdoors groups) and for volunteering with the Allegheny Trail Alliance and the Adventure Cycling Association.

REI is donating $20,000 to the latter group, which is based in Missoula, Mont., as part of the annual awards. It will make such a donation for each of the other winners, who are described on the REI Web site.

President and CEO Dennis Madsen said REI hopes the awards "will inspire others to become involved" in protecting outdoor places.

The co-op, which has more than 2 million active members and more than 70 stores, plans next year to open a store in the Southside Works, where a ceremony will be held honoring Shaw and Weil.

Like the other winners, they will get a commemorative award and a $500 gift card, which they won't have any trouble spending. "New tires for the bike," Shaw mused. "Finish outfitting the sea kayaks...."