accomplishments

Detailed Access Fund Accomplishments are archived on a yearly basis in PDF form:

Below is a list of current Access Fund accomplishments at a national level. Click a specific region on the map (to the left) for local accomplishments.

Hosted a National Climbnig management Summit in Golden Colorado which was attended by dozens of public land managers and climbers from across the country. The purpose of this Summit was to increase comunication between climbers and land managers -- as well as between different land managers -- to identify "climbing management practices that work" for climbing and fixed anchors, cultural resources, and protected species. (2007)
Participation in extensive strategy sessions and Washington, DC lobbying visits representing the Access Fund and the climbing community in the Outdoor Alliance, a new coalition with a mission to ensure the conservation and stewardship of our nation’s land and waters through the promotion of sustainable, human-powered recreation. (2007)
On going work in Washington, DC to secure a memorandum of undertanding between the National Park Service and the Access Fund to pursue cooperative management policies for climbing in national parks. (2007)
Participated in the American Alpine Club Conservation Summit II as a representative of the Access Fund to share insight regarding our conservation work and programs (2007)
Revised resources for Adopt-a-Crag 2007 program to more easily accommodate the needs of event organizers (2007)
Facilitated national letter writing campaign on behalf of Affiliates in opposition to the funding of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRSCSDA) through the sale of USFS lands. (2006)
Communications and relationship-building with members of the Subcommittee on Forestry regarding inconsistent raptor and endangered species buffer zones within the same forest region of the USFS and consulting the same "science" and looking to agreed upon guidelines nationally to develop and implement closure boundaries. (2006)
Updated seasonal closures/restrictions on webpage (2006)
Developed minimum impact guidebook insert (2006)
Developed and Implemented the transition of Adopt-a-Crag to a "year-round" event for 2006 (2006)
Continued development of Climbing Resource Database (CRD) (2006)
Wrote boulderProject "impact" piece for Urban Climber Magazine (2006)
developed revised boulderProject ‘bulletpoints’ for use in magazines, media, webpage, etc. (2006)
Lobbying the National Park Service in Washington, DC, and associated climber outreach and drafting adminnistrative comments, for upcoming revisions to the NPS management policies which could fundamentally alter how climbing environments are managed and maintained in national parks. (2006)
Public outreach and agency lobbying regarding a proposal to sell off massive quantities of US Forest Service lands, some of which contain climbing resources. (2006)
Lobbying the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and US Forest Service in Washington, DC regarding upcoming national policies to manage fixed anchors in wilderness that could authorize and/or restrict new bolts at areas such as Yosemite Valley (CA), the Black Canyon of the Gunnison (CO), the Sawtooth Mountains (ID), and Linville Gorge (NC). (2006)
Lobbying the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service for climber-friendly policies on upcoming national planning initiatives that will govern the use and placement of fixed anchors in designated wilderness areas. These new polcies could fundamentally alter climbing practices in wilderness areas across the country as places such as Red Rocks, NV; the Sawtooths, ID; Yosemite, CA; Black Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Parks, CO; and Granite Mountain, AZ. (2006)
Organizational work with federal land managers toward a Climbing Ranger Summit that will bring together policy makers, local land managers and selected local climbing organizations to discuss best climbing management practies and to ultimately bring more consistency in climbing management on federal public lands. (2006)
Drafted a bookmark with information about the new management guidelines at Indian Creek for printing and distribution by Sharp End Publishing in their Indian Creek guidebook (2006)
Revised the Adopt-a-Crag waiver system (that protects event organizers, affiliated organizations, sponsors, and the AF) to ease the process and increase the number of waivers completed and returned to the Access Fund (2006)
Commenced the Adopt-a-Congress 2006 program by aligning appropriate congressmen with events and organizers, requesting participation in the program from those organizers, and submitting invitations to those Congressman (2006)
Continued development of all boulderProject resources and webpage (2006)
Drafted 6 "Low Impact Teaching Activities" (for youth programs and summer camps) as part of the boulderProject resources (2006)
Drafted a "Discovering New Terrain" manual for the boulderProject resources (2006)
Discussions with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service regarding an Access Fund-hosted National Climbing Management Summit designed to bring consistency and reasonable policies for the management of climbing on federal public lands. This summit should help avoid inconsistent and uninformed climbing policies that unfairly and unreasonably limit climbing opportunities across the country. (2006)
Continued work on the public lands recreation fees issue where climbers have been unfairly targeted. In particular, AF’s policy work on the fee issue has focused on (1) new improper fees on Mt. St. Helens, WA which single out climbers/mountaineers, and (2) whether a USFS fee program in Arizona complies with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. (2006)
Began monitoring and implementing strategy of a secret US Forest Service program that has begun decommissioning developed recreation sites throughout the West, a fundamental change in the agencies’ obligations to provide recreation opportunities on public lands that could affect climbing access and the climbing experience (2006)
Tested low-impact teaching activities with select gyms and outdoor programs (2006)
Finalized “bouldering white paper” and made available on web (2006)
Launched the new boulderProject webpage (2006)
Hosted a national conference for over 25 climber-activists from across the country on September 23rd and 24th focusing on preservation of access to private lands. The event united the organization’s national network of regional coordinators and leaders of affiliated local climbing organizations for a day and a half of discussion, presentation, and debate to discuss strategies for preserving access, conserving the climbing environment and promoting effective outreach and advocacy at the grassroots level. (2006)
Toured America’s southeast states (GA, NC, TN, AL) over 10 days in October/November ’06 to engage and inform climbers regarding strategies for improving local access and to reaffirm relationships between local climbers, climbing organizations, and land managers. (2006)
Meeting with the Bureau of Land Management's newly-appointed national climbing liaison regarding various climbing management concerns across the country on BLM land. This relationship will build on the memorandum of understanding between the Access Fund and BLM and better enable the BLM to accommodate the needs of the climbing community while also helping the BLM to effectively fulfill their multiple-use mandate. (2006)
Consulted with land managers and climbing advocates regarding potential climbing restictions and concerns in public land management plans in southern California national forests, the Obed Wild and Scenic River (TN) and Shenandoah National Park (VA). (2006)
Represented climber interests at the Federal Recreation Director Summit in Washington, DC attended by high level land management agency officials from the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers. At issue were national recreation policies affecting human powered recreation. (2006)
Attended strategy sessions in Washington, DC as a member of the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of human-powered recreation advocacy groups (climbers, mountain bikers, boaters, hikers) who seek federal polcies that accommodate low-impact recreation while conserving these unique and valued environments. (2006)
Coordinated 121 Adopt-a-Crag registered events, 5,500 volunteers and 30,000+ volunteer hrs. (2006)
Authored boulderProject “Frontcountry” piece for Urban Climber Magazine (issue #15) (2006)
Created and distributed boulderProject messaging packets, which included a boulderProject low-impact poster series, and low-impact teaching activities to 40 indoor climbing gyms (2006)
Participated in one of three national “Listening Sessions” and provided written administrative comments to the United States Forest Service on the how the USFS can best address of one of Chief Bosworth’s 4 threats: Loss of Open Space. Stressed that the addition of strategies and priorities without a systematic evaluation of the existing efficiency and workload at the USFS will cause further delays in the completion of existing conservation priorities; focused on a reprioritization of USFS goals that are accepted and implemented by all levels of USFS staff from the Chief Forester to the on-the-ground ranger; and challenged the culture of “paralysis by analysis” that can even the most enthusiastic stewardship volunteer. We encouraged an assessment of the barriers to conserving the resources currently under USFS jurisdiction prior to a progressive vision of addressing loss of open space and the USFS to adopt a solution-oriented approach to on-the-ground conservation opportunities and make it easier for partner organizations to assist the USFS in mutually-beneficial projects. (2006)
Participated in a 3-day “Grassroots Tools” National Conference Training hosted by Patagonia that focused on organizing skills, publicity, and fundraising. (2006)
Co-authored UCMag piece that focused on sustainably developing new climbing areas (2006)
Developed Strategic Resources for Local Climbing Organizations and Activists, including How to Start an Affiliate Organization, Approaching and Working with Private Land Owners, Pro-Climbing Letters to the Editor (2005)
Working with intern from San Luis Obispo and Leave No Trace to develop a land agency approved minimum impact piece for climbers who develop bouldering areas (2005)
Coordinating educational message with climbing gear/wear manufacturers and retailers (2005)
Survey gym owners to develop gym specific boulderProject material (2005)
Coordinating Adopt-a-Crag 2005 registration process (2005)
Performing preliminary research to target Congressional members to involve in Adopt-a-Crags in their district (2005)
Created Youth-Specific Adopt-a-Crag material (2005)
Advocacy work concerning the Queen Creek/Oak Flat area of Arizona that is threatened by a massive copper mine proposal. (2005)
Brought on new product sponsor for Adopt-a-Crag, BioBags (2005)
Circulating questionnaire for gym owners in order to develop gym specific boulderProject material (2005)
Continued work with intern from San Luis Obispo and Leave No Trace to develop a land agency approved minimum impact piece for climbers who develop bouldering areas (2005)
Created a Youth Project Organizers’ Manual for coaches of youth teams for Adopt-a-Crag (2005)
Developed How To Approach a Private Landowner Manual (2005)
Developing boulderProject specific low-impact practices (2005)
Enhancement, continued preparation, and promotion for Adopt-a-Crag 2005 (2005)
Targeting Congressional members to involve in Adopt-a-Crags in their district (2005)
Web-based organizing: Registration, Post-Event Evaluation, Organizer's Toolkit for Adopt-a-Crag. (2005)
Continued monitoring of draft proposals affecting the placement of new fixed anchors in federally-designated wilderness. (2005)
Negotiation and execution of a nation-wide Access Fund Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management. (2005)
The 6th Annual Adopt-a-Crag hosted 111 scheduled events in 37 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. All told, over 3,800 individuals contributed an estimated 20,000 volunteer hours to conserve our climbing environment (2005)
Finalized an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which joins an existing MOU between the Access Fund and the USFS, to formalize a cooperative agreement and work at the national, regional and local levels on mutually beneficial programs, projects, training and other recreational activities. The five-year agreement will see the BLM and Access Fund working together on programs, projects and activities that leverage both of their charters and are in the best interests of the public (2005)
Ongoing lobbying work with federal land management agencies in Washington, DC regarding draft proposals affecting the placement of new fixed anchors in wilderness to ensure that land managers preserve reasonable climbing opportunities in designated wilderness areas (2005)
Coordinating educational message with climbing gear/wear manufacturers and retailers. (2005)
Performing preliminary research to target Congressional members to involve in Adopt-a-Crags in their district. (2005)
Work towards Access Fund Memoranda of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service. (2005)
Partnering with Climbing Wall Association to circulate questionnaire for gym owners in order to develop gym specific boulderProject material. (2005)
Updated and enhanced the Adopt-a-Crag Organizers’ Manual. (2005)
Brought on new product sponsor, BioBags. (2005)
Negotiation and execution of a nation-wide Access Fund Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management. (2005)
Created and facilitate an Action Network online forum that provides a platform for climbing activists from around the country to tap into the knowledge and experience of other activists. (2005)
Networking with the American Alpine Club and American Mountain Guides Association concerning joint work commenting on climbing management plans (2005)
In late November and December Congress added mining reform provisions to the Budget Reconciliation bill that could have resulted in a massive sell-off of climbing resources located on public lands across the country. The Access Fund policy program spearheaded outreach efforts to the climbing community, other recreation groups and the environmental community that generated a large letter writing response that contributed to the defeat of these mining provisions and saved climbing access to crags located on or next to countless mining claims (2005)
Began developing a long range lobbying plan that will benefit climbers by focusing our advocacy efforts on our core strengths and areas where we can make significant impact in support of our mission to keep climbing areas open and preserve climbing environments. This plan will develop a legislative and regulatory agenda to enhance climbing opportunities, and look strengthen existing and foster new relationships in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill and with agency officials (2005)
Work with the Bureau of Land Management and regional National Park Service to implement a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing the relationship between them and the Access Fund/climbing community concerning land management planning and access issues. (2004)
Continued work with the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and National Park Service towards the establishment of a favorable policy/regulation regarding fixed anchors in wilderness. (2004)
Work with congressional offices in Washington, DC to get members of Congress to attend Access Fund Adopt-A-Crag trail days in North Carolina, Colorado, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and New Mexico. (2004)
Produced a Bouldering Whitepaper to provided guidance on bouldering management issues; distributed copies to RCs, LCOs and land managers. Paper is also available as a pdf on the AF website. (2004)
Revising the Access Fund Raptor Recommendations paper. This paper will be used by regional coordinators, local climber organization representatives and other climbing advocates in meetings with resource managers to produce balanced raptor restrictions. (2004)
Provided guidance to climbers from: Southeastern Climbers Coalition to market themselves and strategically plan for the growth of their organization (2004)
Development of the Boulder Project; The Boulder Project is the Access Fund's flagship educational program. The program utilizes a variety of activities and materials, including videos, printed units, and hands-on projects for climbing instructors, guides, community partners, retailers, educators, and Access Fund ambassadors, and educational information for manufacturers and gym owners to educate new and established climbers and community groups on issues surrounding bouldering environments and to foster a sense of stewardship. (2004)
Coordinated the 5th Annual Adopt-a-Crag, including coordinating Congressional members visits to Adopt-a-Crag event; We sponsored 100 events, surpassing our internal goal of 85 Adopt-a-Crags events - all told, those events involved more 3,300 volunteers who contributed almost 18,700 volunteer hours in 32 states, and British Columbia. (2004)
Advocacy work concerning the Queen Creek/Oak Flat area of Arizona that is threatened by a massive copper mine proposal. (2004)

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accomplishments