Access Fund E-News #42
April 2004
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The Access Fund's April E-News is sponsored by Alpinist Magazine.
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. "The Boulder Project World Premiere"
2. Access Fund Awards $19,500 in Climbing Preservation Grants
3. The Access Fund's Most Endangered Climbing Area Program Request for Help
4. Adopt-a-Crag 2004
5. Smith Rock 12th Annual "Spring Thing" Volunteer Day
6. The Access Fund launches the Affiliate Program
7. Have a Say in How You'll Play: Colorado State Parks Long Range Master Plan
8. New River Gorge Climbers' Rendezvous
9. Climb up to the next level with your support-join the Access Fund 5.12 Club!
10. Save a Tree - receive your VT online
11. Special offer -- Access Fund member rate to Alpinist Magazine
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1. "The Boulder Project World Premiere"
The Access Fund presented the "Boulder Project" on April 23rd at the Phoenix Bouldering Blast in Arizona.
"Next season," we tell ourselves as we sip our last cup of joe at the Kava Coffeehouse before heading down Highway 395 out of Bishop. But, what if "next season" our boulder project is inaccessible, not open, closed due to impacts? The Boulder Project, a national initiative driven by local activists, climbers, the climbing industry, and land managers, is working to ensure bouldering projects remain open and accessible not only until we've sent our projects, but for future boulderers, as well. Ultimately the Boulder Project is a way of life, a way of thinking, making choices, building relationships, and taking action that stretches well beyond bouldering. For more information about the Boulder Project, visit: https://www.accessfund.org/programs/boulderproject.html
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2. Access Fund Awards $19,500 in Climbing Preservation Grants to Support Climber Activism, Conservation and Education
The Access Fund has awarded $19,500 in its first round of grant funding for 2004. Awarded three times annually, Climbing Preservation Grants provide financial assistance for local climber activism and protection of the climbing environment. The grants will be distributed for trail improvements, education and start-up assistance for newly formed local climber organizations.
"The Access Fund is committed to preserving the climbing experience for present and future generations," said Shawn Tierney, Access and Acquisitions Director. "We're proud to fund these important initiatives on behalf of our members and the entire climbing community."
The AF awarded the following grants:
Rocky Mountain Field Institute Trail Projects, Utah
$5,000 to the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) for trail projects at Indian Creek Canyon, UT. Projects will include construction of climbing access trails to the Way Rambo and Cat Walls, campground maintenance and restoration for the Bridger Jack camping site, and maintenance of existing trails. The mitigation of impacts to the fragile desert landscape continues to be a critical need in Indian Creek Canyon. RMFI has received Access Fund support for Indian Creek projects for the past 6 years.
Southeastern Climbers Coalition, Georgia
$3,000 to the Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) for the Boat Rock Preserve. SCC purchased the 7-acres Boat Rock property with assistance from the Access Fund in 2002, and has held periodic fundraisers over the past two years to pay for the purchase. This grant is part of the Access Fund's ongoing commitment to the SCC for Boat Rock. By purchasing Boat Rock the SCC has managed to preserve a small slice of a magnificent boulder field and its unique environment for climbers as well as the surrounding community to enjoy.
Eastern Sierra Climbers Coalition, California
$2,500 to the ESCC to help pay for organizational and start-up expenses for the newly formed grassroots climber's advocacy group. ESCC will focus on proactive resolution of climbing management issues, dialogue with land managers, education and outreach to local and visiting climbers, stewardship of the area's resources, and representing climbers in the eastern Sierra.
Black Cliffs Trail Project, Idaho
$3,000 to the Boise Climbers Alliance to improve climbing access to the Black Cliffs, a local cragging area 15 minutes from downtown Boise. Climbing use has increased over the years, resulting in the proliferation of social trails and serious erosion problems. The BCA will also install several kiosks at key trailheads to inform climbers about the BCA, supporting organizations, the raptor protection plan, and the area's natural and historic value.
Friends of Joshua Tree / Boulder Clean, California
$1,500 to the Friends of Joshua Tree (FOJT) for their "Boulder Clean" project. Boulder Clean is an educational campaign focusing on building awareness of local bouldering access issues, bouldering ethics, stewardship, and conservation of climbing resources. FOJT is currently working in partnership with industry partners, JTNP officials, local guidebook authors, boulderers, and local retailers.
Rock Canyon Protection Project, Utah
$2,000 to the Rock Canyon Alliance (RCA) for the Rock Canyon Preservation Project. The grant will support the ongoing efforts of the RCA to preserve climbing access in Uinta National forest and on 80-acres of private land within Rock Canyon. Quarrying has recently been initiated on the private land, and much of the quartzite boulders and cliffs have been removed. In response to the quarrying activity, climbers in Utah have organized to support the RCA to preserve access and limit the effects of the mining operation.
Natural Bridge, California
$1,000 was awarded to help pay for interpretive signage at a culturally significant climbing site in northern California. The signs will also ask visitors not to climb at Natural Bridge. Natural Bridge is a sacred site to the local Nor-Rel-Muk tribe because the meadow behind it was the location of an Indian massacre in 1852. The voluntary closure is fully supported by the local climbing community and the Access Fund.
Pete's Rock Conservation Project, Utah
$1,250 to the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance (SLCA) for the Pete's Rock Conservation and Restoration Initiative. Last year, the SLCA committed to permanently removing large white painted numbers from Pete's Rock, a beginner top-rope crag located near Mt. Olympus in the Wasatch Range. The numbers had been re-painted year after year as a tradition to mark the routes and designate their difficulty. The public is overwhelming in support of permanently removing the paint as most recreationists felt it was a practice no longer acceptable.
Auburn Ice Access Project, Massachusetts
$250 to the Friends of Auburn Ice Canyon. Access to one of the only ice climbing venues in eastern MA is threatened by conflicts with adjacent private landowner. Funds will help defray the cost of producing informational signs and brochures directing climbers to parking and access routes.
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3. The Access Fund's Most Endangered Climbing Area Program Request for Help
We need your help to identify the most endangered climbing area in your region.
Please respond to this request no later than May 14, 2004. Send your response to Shawn Tierney at: shawn@accessfund.org.
What we need:
The name and location of the most endangered climbing area;
The reason(s) that the area is endangered, based on one or more of the following criteria:
An area that is facing unreasonable restrictions or closures due to:
Land use planning and policy changes
Presence of cultural/historic resources and/or endangered species
Overuse and impacts to natural resources
Development pressure
Land use planning and policy changes: An area where chronic under funding and staffing shortages by land management agencies result in unnecessary restrictions or closures due to an inability to provide the appropriate level of service (or infrastructure such as designated trials) necessary for accommodating recreational use.
Presence of cultural/historic resources and/or endangered species: An area where land use policies are overly restrictive due to potential conflicts with cultural, historic, or natural resources.
Overuse and impacts to natural resources: An area where resource impacts have become exacerbated by overuse and the lack of active management and stewardship.
Development pressure: An area where encroachment from commercial or residential development poses a threat to the natural, scenic and aesthetic qualities of the area.
The Access Fund launched the endangered climbing area campaign with the support of Mountain Gear in 2003 (www.mgear.com) The campaign was designed to illuminate the issues and problems facing these special places, and to highlight significant areas around the country most in need of immediate attention. We identified the areas in an "endangered" format to elevate the sense of urgency and commitment among climbers to protect our climbing opportunities at these areas, and to rally climbers to action. Each area that was profiled faced access restrictions or closures due to land use planning and policy changes, conflicts with cultural or historic resource values, or threats from private development.
Unfortunately, many of the serious issues and problems that provided the basis for the "threatened" status still remain; therefore the Access Fund will continue to devote time, resources, and energy to these areas in the years ahead.
For more information on the 2003 program, please visit:
http://www.accessfund.org/endangered/index.html
What Will Happen
The Access Fund will compile the complete list of endangered areas, and identify from that list the top 3-4 issues that led to the endangered status.
The Access Fund will identify and initiate actions that can be taken to address the top 3-4 issues.
The Access Fund will work with our network of over 100 regional coordinators and local climber organizations (representing every geographic region of the country) to identify and initiate actions that can be taken at the specific endangered climbing area in their region.
The Access Fund will publicize the list of areas and issues on our website, the Vertical Times newsletter, E-news, and member appeal letters. In doing so, we hope to raise awareness of the areas and issues, and rally climbers to action.
The Access Fund will publicize the list of actions that were taken on the issues and at the endangered climbing areas in a summary report at the end of 2004.
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4. Adopt-a-Crag 2004
It is time again to start thinking about an Adopt-a-Crag stewardship project for your favorite climbing area. This year we have expanded Adopt-a-Crag to encompass the entire month of September. We made this change to encourage organizers to schedule their Adopt-a-Crag event on a day that works best for their community.
Adopt-a-Crag is a national commitment by the climbing community to natural resource stewardship and volunteerism, and would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors. Title Sponsor Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Presenting Sponsor W.L. Gore, and Supporting Sponsor Clif Bar provided key financial backing, allowing the Access Fund to provide each Adopt-a-Crag event with volunteer incentives and clean-up materials. For more information or to register your event, please click on Adopt-a-Crag on our homepage (www.accessfund.org).
To register and receive support for your Adopt-a-Crag event, log onto www.accessfund.org or contact Deanne Buck at deanne@accessfund.org.
Beginning May 1, Access Fund members can visit www.clifbar.com/partneroffer and receive ONE FREE BOX of 12 Clif Bars when they purchase one box of 12 at the regular price. This offer is intended for Access Fund members only. Clif Bar would like to thank you for your support and passion for the sport of climbing.
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5. Smith Rock 12th Annual "Spring Thing" Volunteer Day
Give back to your favorite climbing area. Join the Smith Rock Group on Saturday, May 8th for a full day of fun, work, and food (did we mention fun). The event begins at 8am with registration at Smith Rock Park and concludes with a dinner, auction, and raffle. Parking passes, breakfast snack, water, sunscreen, work gloves, direction, tools, supplies, and dinner are provided for all volunteers. All money raised goes directly to fund future events, purchase project supplies, and preserve your climbing future. For more information: bandc@teleport.com
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6. The Access Fund launches the Affiliate Program
An Access Fund Affiliate is a climbing organization, association, or access committee working primarily or exclusively to keep climbing areas open, conserve the climbing environment, and promote responsible climbing at the local or regional level. Affiliates are grassroots, volunteer-based organizations that act as the liaison between the climbing community and the land managers and owners for the crags within their region, and represent the Access Fund at the local level.
If you are a climbing organization and are interested in joining the Affiliate Program, please contact Deanne Buck, grassroots coordinator, at 303.545.6772 x112 or email deanne@accessfund.org.
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7. Have a Say in How You'll Play: Colorado State Parks Long Range Master Plan
Colorado State Parks announced the kick-off of a statewide town meeting series entitled "Have a Say in How You'll Play." (http://parks.state.co.us/open_house/index.asp). The series of 18 meetings is focused on gathering public input from all regions of Colorado, and funneling that input into a long-range master plan. The ideas generated from the meetings will be used to determine Colorado State Parks? future priorities and objectives in areas such as facilities, services, special features and funding. The long-range master plan will be finalized by early 2005.
Remaining Meetings
April 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. Shaw Heights Middle School, 8780 Circle Dr., Westminster 80030
April 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. Boulder Outlook Hotel, 800 28th Street, Boulder 80303
April 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Euclid Middle School, 777 W. Euclid, Littleton 80120
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8. New River Gorge Climbers' Rendezvous
5/14 - 5/16 2nd Annual Eastern Climbers Rendezvous. New River Gorge, West Virginia.
The Rendezvous is a fun, friendly, down-home three day celebration of climbers, climbing and the New River Gorge. We are presenting a full three-day program that includes comps, clinics, gatherings, dinner, parties, breakfast, contests and more. Enjoy free camping on the rim of the Gorge courtesy of the National Park Service. Gather with friends, relax, compete, play, laugh and climb here in the laid back atmosphere of southern West Virginia-America's best kept secret! For more information visit www.waterstoneoutdoors.com or call (304) 574-2425.
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9. Climb up to the next level with your support-join the Access Fund 5.12 Club!
The 5.12 Club is a special segment of Access Fund members who provide continuous year-round membership support through automatic monthly deductions from their checking or credit card accounts. The 5.12 Club is a secure, easy and convenient way of maintaining your Access Fund member status.
As a member of the 5.12 Club, you'll help the Access Fund increase advocacy on behalf of climbers, AND you'll spread out your annual contribution over 12 months. For as little as $10 per month, you can join the 5.12 Club and help make the Access Fund more effective and efficient in defending climbers' freedoms.
Joining the 5.12 Club can save the Access Fund time, money, and resources, which will go towards our crucial work at climbing areas around the country. For more information on the 5.12 Club, contact Membership Director Kerry Cowan at kerry@accessfund.org.
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10. Save a Tree - receive your VT online
The Access Fund is still giving members the option of viewing Vertical Times online instead of receiving the paper version. This decreases printing and mailing costs, thus allocating more funds to protect YOUR CLIMBING FUTURE. To take part in this effort, and cease shipment of the Vertical Times to your home, e-mail your name and address to memberservices@accessfund.org with "Remove Vertical Times" as the subject.
Presently, 1500 members have chosen our online option - a savings of $7500 per year to be utilized towards the Access Fund's Mission to preserve and conserve the climbing environment. You can download a PDF version of the current Vertical Times at www.accessfund.org/vertical_times/index.html
(Adobe Acrobat is required)
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11. Special offer -- Access Fund member rate to Alpinist Magazine
To thank climbers for supporting the Access Fund, Alpinist, a reader-supported
Publication, is offering a special subscription rate to Access Fund members.
Visit the URL below for your special member rate (18 percent off the regular rate of
$46)
https://subscribe.pcspublink.com/subscribeFormGeneric.asp?track=JAAF04&pub=ALPS&term=4
For more information about Alpinist, visit http://www.alpinist.com/
(To sponsor the Access Fund E-News please contact Heather Clark, Access Fund development director, at heather@accessfund.org or 303.545.6772 x.100.)
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AF E-NEWS POLICIES:
1. The Access Fund office in Boulder, CO 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.
AF E-NEWS POLICIES:
1. The Access Fund office in Boulder, CO 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.