Climbing Advocacy Conference 2025

Light breakfast and coffee provided.

Speakers:
1. Heather Thorne, Executive Director, Access Fund
2. Nicki Manzanares, President, Climbing Association of Southern Arizona

Description: Step up to the mic and share your story—introduce yourself, your organization, and the triumphs or hurdles you’ve faced in climbing advocacy. Let’s launch the conference by celebrating the successes and challenges that resonate with us all.

Moderator: Daniel Dunn, Eastern Regional Access Director & Policy Analyst, Access Fund

Session 1: Working With Private Buyers: Achieving a Conservation Outcome and Avoiding Private Inurement

Description: When purchasing a crag, local climbing organizations (LCOs) are not always able to work directly with the seller. In certain cases, it makes sense to work with a private buyer who can step in, purchase the crag temporarily, and transfer ownership to an LCO. This session focuses on best practices when working with private buyers that will help all parties achieve a conservation outcome while avoiding any private inurement.

Moderator: Brian Tickle, National Acquisitions & Texas Regional Director

Speaker: Jereme Ransick, Access & Acquisitions Chair, Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition

Session 2: Stewarding Indigenous Lands 

Description: Gain insights from experts on planning stewardship initiatives that center Indigenous perspectives. Across the country, local tribes and trail builders are collaborating to establish access that is both sustainable and respectful. This session will explore case studies and best practices for building stewardship projects that protect cultural resources and foster meaningful partnerships with tribal communities.

Moderator: Andrea Hassler, Stewardship & Education Director, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. Matthew Nelson, Executive Director, Arizona Trail Association

2. Aeon Albert, Hopi Program Manager, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

3. Gabriel Cisneros, Board Member, Washington Climbers Coalition

Session 3 - Keep it Local: Climbing Management on Municipal Lands

Description: The approach to managing climbing varies based on the type of resource and the land managers involved. This session will highlight case studies from counties, cities, and municipalities, demonstrating how local climbers build strong relationships to secure reliable access to climbing areas. Topics will include initiating conversations, examples of successful agreements, and ways climbers and local land managers can work together to support shared goals.

Moderator: Daniel Dunn, Eastern Regional Access Director & Policy Analyst, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. Donna Tannehill, Representative, Arizona Mountaineering Club

Session 4 - Breaking Barriers & Enhancing Accessibility

Description: Our community is made stronger when we work together to ensure climbing is accessible for everyone. Our speakers for this session represent the deaf climbing community with years of experience working and advocating in the climbing industry and conservation field. They will discuss ways to reimagine events and programs, such as stewardship projects and climbing festivals, that will enable inclusivity for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. 

Moderator: Andrea Hassler, Stewardship & Education Director, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. Sam (Marlo) Bragg, Field and Logistics Director, CorpsTHAT
2. Sonya Wilson, Founder, ASL Climbing Network & ASL Educator

Session 5 - Roy New Mexico Case Study

Description: The Access Fund's stewardship team will discuss their collaboration with the New Mexico Climbers’ Resource & Advocacy Group and US Forest Service & Grasslands to develop Roy, New Mexico, a renowned - and up and coming - bouldering destination. The speakers will share insights into working with the Forest Service and local developers to identify impact “zones” for managing existing and future trails in this boulderfield. They will also cover efforts to map bouldering areas and address key infrastructure needs, including roads, parking lots, and campsites.

Moderator:
Loryn Posladek, Field Coordinator, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. William Penner, Board Member, New Mexico Climbers’ Resource & Advocacy Group

Session 6 - The Impact of Volunteer Raptor Monitoring Programs 

Description: Local climbing organizations are partnering with land managers to use citizen science in tracking and conserving raptor populations while balancing access to climbing. In this session, we'll cover how the Boulder Climbing Community set up their volunteer raptor monitoring program with local climber-biologist, Rob Ramey. This case study will show how successful volunteer programs can be and the impact it's had on land manager relationships.

Moderator: Katie Goodwin, Western Regional Director & Policy Analyst, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. Kate Beezley, Executive Director, Boulder Climbing Community
2. Rob Roy Ramey, Ph.D, Owner, Wildlife Science International, Inc & Raptor/Climbing Volunteer for Boulder Climbing Community, Rocky Mountain National Park

Session 7 - LCO Development: Nonprofit Compliance 

Description: To advocate effectively for local climbing access, many local climbing organizations (LCOs) choose to establish themselves as nonprofits. However, this status comes with important requirements and best practices, including maintaining tax exemption, meeting fundraising standards, managing a board, and more. This session will cover the key elements of compliance to help you ensure your LCO can continue its vital advocacy work.

Moderator:
Jose Rodriguez, Finance & Operations Director, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. Ben Townsend, Attorney, Kozak & Gayer, P.A. & Pro Bono Counsel, Access Fund
2. Nicki Manzanares, President, Climbing Association of Southern Arizona (CASA)

Session 8 - Engaging on Federal Management Plans and Policies 

Description: Throughout the history of climbing advocacy, local climbing communities have played a significant role in shaping federal planning efforts. Input from local climbers is essential for assisting public land managers and agencies in effectively managing climbing areas across the United States. In this session, we will explore climbing management success stories and strategies for engaging your climbing community and examples of climbing management plans.

Moderator: Erik Murdock, Deputy Director, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. Adam Milnor, Heritage and Lands Staff Officer, Coronado National Forest
2. Katie Goodwin, Western Regional Director & Policy Analyst, Access Fund

Help us celebrate the 2023 and 2024 Climbing Advocate Awardees as we raise a glass to climbing advocacy! Mingle with fellow advocates, make new connections, and maybe even win some big swag. Drinks will be available for purchase.

Session 9 - Climbing Area Pilot Program

Description: Learn how the first climbing infrastructure project on the Coronado National Forest was spearheaded by the Climbing Association of Southern Arizona (CASA). The Crags Against Humanity climbing area will showcase the work of CASA's long-term partnership with the Forest Service, and will serve as a model for sustainable development for other climbing areas. Discussion will include the scope of tasks CASA will perform for the Forest Service at this climbing area, as well as the planning process for the initiative and how it will be funded.

Moderator: Andrea Hassler, Stewardship & Education Director

Speakers:
1. Eric Ruljancich, Stewardship Coordinator, Climbing Association of Southern Arizona (CASA)

Session 10 - Stewardship Infrastructure Planning

Description: If your local climbing organization is interested in pursuing technical trailwork, this session is a must-attend. CASA recently completed several advanced stewardship projects, including constructing a staircase at Windy Point. Discover the planning process, the tools required, and how volunteers played a vital role in bringing this vision to life for this popular climbing area.

Moderator: Loryn Posladek, Field Coordinator, Access Fund

Speakers:
1. Andy Bennett, Director & Assistant Stewardship Coordinator, Climbing Association of Southern Arizona (CASA)

Session 11 - Rebolting Workshop

Description: As climbing hardware ages across the country, many local climbing organizations (LCOs) are adding bolt replacement to their list of programs. In this session, you'll learn the basics of managing a rebolting team from experienced LCOs who have been running these programs for years. We'll demonstrate the latest tools and techniques, and attendees will have the opportunity to try removing a bolt themselves. No prior experience is needed.

Moderator: Daniel Dunn, Eastern Regional Access Director & Policy Analyst, Access Fund

Speakers:
Climbing Association of Southern Arizona’s Anchor Team

Let’s end the conference by celebrating with a climb. Bring along your own lunch or grab it on the way. Please note that Access Fund is not providing climbing gear, guiding, or instruction for the session.