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ACCESS FUND E-NEWS #31 IN THIS ISSUE: 1. Idaho's Castle Rocks Opens to Climbing 2. Access Fund Moves Climbers For Political Action Event To Capitol Hill 3. Delaware Water Gap, PA--Minsi Cliffs Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrine Falcons 4. South Platte, CO--Partial Reopening of Hayman Fire Burn Area 5. Golden Cliffs Preserve, CO--Gate Installed at Entrance to Property and Recent Construction work 6. Mayford Peery Donates $10,000 to the Access Fund for the Golden Cliffs Preserve, CO 7. Job Announcement- Access Fund Development Assistant 8. Access Fund Planned Giving 9. 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest 10. REI-Featured Corporate Partner 11. Vertical Times Newsletter Online 1. Idaho's Castle Rocks Opens to Climbing After years of anticipation, Castle Rocks State Park will open to climbing on Memorial Day Weekend. These 400-foot cliffs of Castle Rock Ranch were privately owned until recently. The Castle Rock Ranch Acquisition Act of 2000 authorized the National Park Service to purchase the 1,240-acre ranch with funding provided by the Access Fund and the Conservation Fund. The NPS then transferred the property to the state of Idaho who then opened the area as a state park with climbing acknowledged as a prominent use. The AF will publish a brochure for the area in May and a complete report will follow in Vertical Times #53 (August issue). 2. Access Fund Moves Climbers For Political Action Event To Capitol Hill The Access Fund has decided to move our Climbers for Political Action event to Capitol Hill. We initially planned to hold our event at Great Falls Park, but because May 15 is a voting day, and it would be difficult for speakers to get out to Great Falls Park, we moved the venue to Capitol Hill. We will now be holding our event at the Holiday Inn on the Hill in the Congressional Room on May 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Speakers will begin at 1:30 p.m. The Holiday Inn on the Hill is just a few blocks from the Capitol at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW. Their phone number is 202-638-1616. WHO: The Access Fund, U.S. Congressional members and staff, federal land agency officials and their staff, local climbing organizations, local climbers, environmental groups, local and national media, support staff and volunteers WHAT: Climbers for Political Action media event. WHEN: Thursday May 15, 2003 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. WHERE: In the Congressional Room at The Holiday Inn on the Hill just a few blocks from the Capitol at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW. WHY: Climbers for Political Action is intended to improve the connections between climbers and government, and galvanize climber activism in support of legislation and regulatory initiatives that benefit climbing in the United States. Climbers for Political Action will provide a forum for legislators and agency officials to speak on public lands policy an opportunity to promote the merits of their legislative and agenda before a diverse audience, provide a forum for agency officials to illustrate their land management goals, and will give climbers and environmentalists an opportunity to demonstrate their support for these initiatives. HOW: We are scheduling brief remarks by Congressional members and agency officials between approximately 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Speakers will brief the audience on their public land management policies. Because the Access Fund has recently executed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Forest Service concerning recreation management and are in the process of doing so with the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service as well an additional theme of Climbers for Political Action will be the benefits of public/private partnerships on public lands. Representative Mark Udall (D-CO) will be our keynote speaker, and Mark Rey, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, are scheduled to speak. Several additional Congressional members and agency officials have also indicated that they will be available to present remarks as well concerning their public lands management policies. 3. Delaware Water Gap, PA--Minsi Cliffs Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrine Falcons There is presently a seasonal wildlife closure on a segment of the cliffs at Mount Minsi on the southwest side of Delaware Water Gap. The closure will extend from the Point of Gap to Arrow Island Overlooks on Route 611 south of the Borough of Delaware Water Gap. Climbing on the NJ side of the river remains open. The objective of the closure--which should be in effect until early August--is to protect a pair of breeding peregrine falcons that are attempting to nest on the cliff face. The species is a Pennsylvania designated endangered species, and it's estimated there are only about a dozen nesting pairs statewide. The park's cliffs within the Water Gap are historical nesting areas, dating back to the 1940s and 1950s; however, there have been no know nests since then. Peregrines once nested at 44 sites in at least 21 counties within the state. By 1961, they were no longer found anywhere after being extirpated by egg collecting, shooting, and pesticides--particularly DDT. Because this is the first time that raptors have returned to this area in many years, the park is taking a conservative approach in establishing the spatial extent of the closure. Park managers have indicated a willingness to modify the closure in future years if raptors return to the site and will work with local climbers and the Access Fund to implement a closure that is the minimum necessary to protect the birds. 4. South Platte, CO--Partial Reopening of Hayman Fire Burn Area The Forest Service has reopened the Hayman Fire burn area for limited public use. While the entire 137,000-acre area is now open for public access, only select roads and/or trails are expected to be cleared for motorized vehicle access in the near future. Also, there are no restrictions on hiking throughout the burn area, and only a limited number of trails have been "cleared" for recreational use. The terrain in the burn area continues to be fragile and safety hazards still exist throughout much of the area. Please be aware that parking is ONLY allowed in specifically designated areas. While outside the burn area, there is limited off-road parking. No off-road parking is allowed within the burn area. Presently, Sheep's Nose is the only area in the burn area with designated parking. Signs have been placed throughout the burn area to identify open roads, trails/facilities, and designate which types of uses are permitted. As additional roads, trails and facilities are cleared for use, access to them will be phased in over the next weeks and months when work has been completed and signing installed. Further information including maps of reopened areas can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/hayres/Area_Opening.htm or by calling the Pike National Forest at 303-275-5615. 5. Golden Cliffs Preserve, CO--Gate Installed at Entrance to Property and Recent Construction work In response to neighborhood concerns over unauthorized and late-night use of the parking areas at North Table Mountain, the city of Golden recently installed an automatic gate at the entrance to the open space property. The gate, located on city of Golden property, will open at 6:00am and close at 9:00pm. The Golden Cliffs Preserve is a popular climbing/hiking day use area that was donated to the Access Fund by Mayford Peery in 1995. The property, which is adjacent to a residential area, had uncontrolled access in the past. The Access Fund Land Foundation and the Access Fund will work with the city to ensure reasonable and appropriate public access to the open space property through an easement agreement. Notice: the city of Golden extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused by the recent sewer line replacement work that prevented vehicle access to the open space property during the past week. The Access Fund had no prior notification from the city that this work was scheduled. The work should be completed by May 9. 6. Mayford Peery Donates $10,000 to the Access Fund for the Golden Cliffs Preserve, CO In March, long time Access Fund supporter Mayford Peery of Golden, Colorado, forgave the final $10,000 payment due on a loan made to the Access Fund. In 1999, Peery loaned $75,000 to the AF to expedite construction of the $110,000 trail head facilities at the Golden Cliffs Preserve. Since then, the AF has paid $55,000 toward the principal amount of the loan and was prepared during the past two years to fulfill the loan agreement. However, in 2002 and again in March of this year, Perry elected to forgive the $10,000 payments due--essentially donating a total of $20,000 to the Access Fund over the past two years. Mayford Peery has been the most prolific donor in the Access Fund's 13-year history. In 1995, he donated the 28-acre Golden Cliffs Preserve, which at that time was appraised at nearly $450,000. By extending the $75,000 loan for construction of the trailhead facilities, he enabled the Access Fund to "officially" open the area for public access. The Golden Cliffs Preserve, according to Access Fund estimates, sees more than 30,000 climber visits annually, which makes it one of the most popular crags in Colorado's Front Range. "Mayford Peery's philanthropy is one of the great stories in the preservation of American climbing areas," said Rick Thompson, president of the Access Fund Land Foundation. "We hope his remarkable generosity will serve to inspire others, and we extend our deepest gratitude to Mayford for all he has done for climbing. Bravo!" 7. Job Announcement- Access Fund Development Assistant The Access Fund has an opening for a person with strong presentation and communication skills. This position will support all aspects of fundraising and development through the management of our events, community partnership program, Ambassador Team, and various other tasks. The successful candidate will be: self-starting, adept at multi tasking, enjoy challenges and an initiator of ideas. Candidates should be energetic, well organized and able to work independently yet closely with fellow staff and the community of Access Fund supporters. This is a full-time position with good benefits and an exciting, supportive work environment. Salary range $23,000-27,000, two weeks paid vacation, health and retirement benefits. Position based in Boulder, Colorado, to be filled early June 2003. Deadline for applications: May 16, 2003. Send query or resume with cover letter to: Heather Clark Development Director The Access Fund PO Box 17010 Boulder CO 80308 303-545-6772 x 100 fax: 303-545-6774 email: heather@accessfund.org 8. Access Fund Planned Giving Your gift to the Access Fund (AF) is more important now than ever. Non-profits are facing challenging times in our current economy and organizations like the AF rely on the steadfast support of our loyal membership to help us endure. The US Senate acknowledged that charities are struggling and passed new legislation last month granting new tax breaks to individuals donating to charities. Specifically, the bill would give people who do not itemize on their taxes a break for annual donations from $250 to $500. The bill also gives tax breaks for corporate donations, allows tax-free donations from individual retirement accounts, and encourages banks to offer individual development accounts, which match the savings of low-income people. The AF is making it even easier to give this year. The following is a brief outline of how you can make your donation count this year: Renewals: Renew your membership by phone, via our secure website, or by mail. Also, check out our new membership incentive program. Join our 5.12 program: Our monthly giving program is growing to be the most popular way to make your membership donation. The AF automatically draws at least $10 per month from your credit card or bank account. You stay a current member and the AF saves money by avoiding printing and mailing costs for monthly contributors. Special Appeal Donations: Presently, the AF is fundraising for our Climbing Preservation Grants program. Your donation to this appeal is an above and beyond gift that will sustain our grants program and help the AF continue to give 15% of our budget in the form of grants to local climbing organizations for stewardship, education, and organizing. Stock or Planned Gifts: Given the current economy, a long-term gift might be a better choice for you right now. The AF has everything in place to help you make a gift of stock or long term planned gifts. Please call the AF at 888-8MEMBER if you are interested in any of these programs. 9. 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest with Ed Hillary and 49 other Everest summiters in San Francisco on June 10th. Contact the American Himalayan Foundation for details: 415-288-7250 or on the web at www.himalayan-foundation.org. 10. REI-Featured Corporate Partner "REI is a proud and long-time supporter of the Access Fund because of the balanced, strategic and collaborative approach they take," said Dennis Madsen, REI president and chief executive officer. "Combining stewardship and conservation programs along with their efforts to promote climbing prove beneficial for all of us who enjoy outdoor recreation." REI supports the work of the Access Fund in a tradition unparalleled in the outdoor recreation community. REI demonstrates its long-standing history of commitment, partnership and dedication to the Access Fund in countless ways. For example, REI has assisted in the establishment of our National Network of Regional Coordinators, has supported several constituency building and technology projects, and has participated in the formation of climbing policy and the defense of climbing freedoms at the national level. The Access Fund's ongoing relationship with REI ensures the sustainability of our programs and supports the Access Fund's policy and education programs. The Access Fund is greatly appreciative and proud of REI's decade-long partnership. Visit them online at http://www.rei.com/ 11. Vertical Times Newsletter Online The Vertical Times newsletter, the Access Fund's bimonthly publication, provides up-to-date news on policy, area reports, events, action alerts, grants, and more. It is a benefit to members and non-members alike (if you are not a member, please join at https://www.accessfund.org/secure/joinnow/join_indiv.php). Indeed it is a benefit to the entire climbing community. By offering this unique publication electronically, the Access Fund will decrease printing and mailing costs and allocate more funds to protect YOUR CLIMBING FUTURE. If you choose to take part in this effort, and cease shipment of the Vertical Times to your home, please email your name/address to cindy@accessfund.org with "Remove Vertical Times" as the subject. Presently, over 300 members have requested not to receive their print copy of Vertical Times (a savings to the Access Fund of $900 per year to be utilized in protecting YOUR CLIMBING FUTURE). To view issues of Vertical Times, including the June volume #52, visit http://www.accessfund.org/vertical_times/index.html AF E-NEWS POLICIES: 1. The Access Fund office in Boulder is the only source of outgoing messages to the lists. 2. The AF will not sell or give away email addresses of AF E-News subscribers. 3. AF E-News is an announcement-only e-mail list; therefore, you cannot reply to any of the list members. 4. All e-mail addresses will remain confidential with every mail sent. |
