Access Fund is pleased to announce $32,000 in new climbing conservation grants. These awardees will advance eleven exciting local projects that include invasive species management, cliff ecology, trail work, educational signage, human waste solutions, and a land acquisition.
“As our climbing community continues to grow, local support for boots-on-the-ground projects is more vital than ever before,” says Jenna Winkler, Access Fund’s national affiliate director. “These projects will educate climbers, build sustainable infrastructure, cut down on human waste, remove invasive species, and more—all working toward the goal of keeping climbing areas open and conserved.”
Since 1991, Access Fund has awarded more than $1.5 million in Climbing Conservation Grants to support 466 projects in land conservation and climbing access. This year’s grantees include:
1. North Carolina - Carolina Climbers Coalition: Raven Rock and Hickory Creek Kudzu Removal
In the winter of 2023, the Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) worked with private landowners to open climbing at Raven Rock and Hickory Creek Boulders—two distinct areas located on the same 160-acre parcel. The CCC’s agreement with the land owners details how climbers will use stewardship, including kudzu removal, as an incentive to gain access to these privately owned areas. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. Kudzu is an extremely fast-growing invasive species that impacts 6 acres of land, swallowing the Hickory Creek Boulders. The CCC’s kudzu removal project is directly tied to climbers’ access to the land, and is a key reason why the landowners allowed the public to climb at these incredible destinations in the first place. One phase of removal has been completed by a professional invasive species removal company. Grant funding was awarded to cover one of the remaining phases of kudzu removal and the CCC will cover the other.
Hickory Boulders, North Carolina. © Carolina Climbers Coalition.
2. Colorado - Climbers for Bat Conservation, Colorado State University: The 1st Cliff Ecology Conference - Understanding the Biology and Ecology of Cliff-Dwelling Organisms
New research suggests that cliff landscapes may be conservation “islands” for select species—a different understanding than some early seminal works speculated that recreational climbing is having detrimental effects on cliff landscapes. With this in mind, Climbers for Bat Conservation recognizes that climbers can contribute to understanding and studying these species. To better understand the costs and benefits of climbing on the natural, vertical landscapes, Climbers for Bat Conservation (CBC) will host a first-ever Cliff Ecology Conference. This conference will bring together researchers and biologists from around the world to discuss the methods and results of their research, and to present conservation solutions and management strategies. Grant funding will be used to help cover costs for hosting the event.
Black Mountain, Vermont. © CRAG-VT.
3. Vermont - Climbing Resource Access Group of Vermont (CRAG-VT): Black Mountain Climbing Development Phase One
Black Mountain has rapidly increased in popularity ever since 2014. The pure granite cracks presented by the unique geology offer climbing not found elsewhere in Vermont. As climber traffic has increased, so too has the need for erosion control and mitigation in the area’s trail network. CRAG-VT created a cooperative agreement with the landowners and is working to develop a full stewardship plan detailing work to sustain current and future use by climbers. Grant funding will support the purchase and installation of a kiosk, map, and signage at the parking area to help visitors access the cliff via official trails. The remainder of the grant would be used to complete work at the “Black Plague” area, including 200’ of benching where cross-slopes are steepest, as well as the installation of 16 stones steps.
4. Colorado - Eagle County Climbers Coalition: Lime Park Improvements
The Eagle County Climbers Coalition (ECCC) will work with the U.S. Forest Service to combat the adverse effects of dispersed camping and address the critical issue of human waste management at this popular area. Beyond issues of soil compaction, vegetation damage, and litter, the lack of adequate facilities for human waste disposal in Lime Park has also become an environmental and public health concern. This issue contributes to water pollution, disrupts wildlife, and detracts from the climbing experience. ECCC will install educational signage to inform climbers about LNT practices, including how to minimize camping impacts and responsibly dispose of waste. ECCC will also install wag bag stations to serve as a practical resource and a constant reminder of climbers’ role in protecting Lime Park. Grant funding will support sign design and manufacturing, wag bag dispenser installation, and an initial round of wag bag supply.
5. Pennsylvania - Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers: Southeastern PA Stewardship Initiative
Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers (EPAC) will use their grant funding to steward three popular areas—High Rocks, Wissahickon Valley Park, and Birdsboro Quarry. The High Rocks Improvement Project was started in 2021 and will continue with a Conservation Team visit in October 2024. Grant funding will support trail counters, volunteer support, benches, signage, fence repair, invasive species removal, and native vegetation plantings. At the Wissahickon Bouldering, volunteers will remove trees felled during a storm that block climbing access to the Egg Boulder. And finally, the Birdsboro Trail Access project will use grant funds for materials to construct a new access to climbing in the quarry after the main access trail was washed away.
High Rocks, Pennsylvania. © Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers.
6. Virginia - Friends of the James River Park: Belle Isle Climbing Area Improvement Project
The existing Belle Isle Climbing Wall is part of an abandoned quarry with a pond at the bottom and a path around the interior perimeter of the quarry that allows climbers access to several routes up its walls. The area is used by climbers throughout the year, and there is an active youth program that uses the wall throughout the summer. Access for anchoring is provided by a narrow trail up the side of the hill that is protected by an aging split-rail fence. By replacing the failing safety railing, Friends of James River Park can reduce accidents when climbers are scouting the area, using the anchors, or performing other climbing-related activities. Grant funding will be used to purchase materials to rebuild the fence and develop signage to identify the site, direct people to the access trail, and provide basic climber information. Funds will also be used to rent tools for a volunteer project, led by the Friend’s of the James River Park’s expert trail-building team, to improve the trail.
7. Utah - Salt Lake Climbers Alliance: Preserving Little Cottonwood’s Climbing Legacy: Interactive Hikes along the Little Cottonwood Climbing Area Historic Site
The Salt Lake Climbers Alliance (SLCA) has undertaken a significant initiative to preserve Utah's climbing heritage by seeking National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) recognition for the Alpenbock Loop climbing area in lower Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC). Despite ongoing development threats, including from a proposed Utah Department of Transportation gondola project, thousands of climbers continue to enjoy the classic climbs of the Alpenbock Club. To ensure ongoing access and appreciation for these routes, the SLCA proposes to offer free, interactive historical hikes and informational kiosks along the USFS-designated Alpenbock Loop trail to educate the public on the significance of this resource. Grant funding will cover costs for the tour consultant, booklets, and kiosks.
Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. © Jon Vickers.
8. Connecticut - Technical Climbing Subcommittee, Narragansett Chapter, Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC): Ross Pond Access Improvement Project
After many years of coordination with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Narragansett chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Technical Climbing Subcommittee began a cooperative stewardship project to improve access to the climbing at the Ross Pond cliff and prevent erosion of the existing terrain. In 2022, AMC’s Pro Trail Crew was hired to build log stairs on the steep embankment connecting the belay area of the “Party Wall” to the cliff top. AMC worked for two weeks to create and install 37-steps worth of log ladders. Access Fund Conservation Teams spent two full days training and working with approximately 15 volunteers to create the trail. The log ladders installed by AMC in 2022 are only half the number needed to complete the project. Grant funding will support two weeks of the AMC Pro Trail Crew—the time needed to create 35 more steps at a 60% grade.
9. Oregon - Smith Rock Group: Smith Rock - Monument Stewardship Project and Wag Bag Implementation
Smith Rock Group (SMG) received grant funding to remediate impacts at the Monument Area of Smith Rock State Park, build signage, and distribute wag bags. The trail work portion of this project focuses on building 10-14 climbing platforms at the Monument Area and updating and formalizing approximately 2 miles of trail to the Monument Area. SMG will also replenish wag bags throughout Smith Rock State Park to reduce human waste impact. The project includes education efforts through trail and closure signage to raise awareness about climber responsibility and conservation principles. Three signs will be installed: one to denote the climbers trail, a second to inform visitors why these trails close for a portion of the year for golden eagle nesting habitat, and a third to close the trail during nesting times. Funding was awarded for materials, event hosting, and trail signage.
Spring Thing 2024 at Smith Rock State Park, Oregon. © Jack Rosell.
10. Utah - Utah Open Lands: Castleton Tower Campground: Ensuring Equitable Access and Preserving Biodiversity
Profiled in the book Fifty Classic Climbs of North America, Castleton Tower is arguably one of the most famous desert formations in the world. Utah Open Lands (UOL) has witnessed a concerning trend of campers driving through the protected hillside to park in unauthorized spots as well as improperly disposing of human waste. The improved parking lot will also facilitate waste management operations, helping maintain the cleanliness of the site. Furthermore, the installation of boulders to delineate parking lot boundaries will serve to protect both natural and cultural resources within the climbing environment. These barriers will help protect the sensitive ecological features present in this area, such as the cryptobiotic soil, which is critical to the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem. Grant funding was awarded for the boulders, road grading materials, skid steer, and staff time.
11. Ohio - Western Reserve Land Conservancy: Kerestes Cliffs Acquisition
Western Reserve Land Conservancy received funding to acquire and permanently protect the 29-acre Kerestes Cliffs property. The Land Conservancy will partner with the Columbiana County Park District (CCPD) to protect the property’s natural resources and ensure continued public access to this regionally significant climbing area. The Kerestes Cliffs property is a well-known climbing location currently owned by a private landowner, but that could be closed if sold to a non-climber friendly buyer. The Land Conservancy plans to purchase the property, and ownership will be transferred to CCPD with deed restrictions to permanently protect it. The property is part of a popular climbing area known in and around eastern Ohio as “Logtown.” It contains high-quality young forest habitat adjacent to and along the top of sandstone cliffs. After successful acquisition, CCPD will manage the property for public access to existing hiking trails connected to the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail and for access to rock climbing of the high walls on the property and adjacent property.