Erik Murdock, VP of Policy and Government Affairs, Named Interim Executive Director
Access Fund announced today that Executive Director Chris Winter will step down after five successful years of leadership. Winter will return to his legal roots leading the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment at the University of Colorado Law School. Erik Murdock, Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs, will take on the role of Interim Executive Director to lead the organization while the board of directors runs a national search to permanently fill the position.
“Access Fund’s work to protect and conserve the land, fight for sustainable access, and build a community of inspired advocates continues uninterrupted,” says Access Fund board president Hilary Harris. “We have a strong leadership team in place with many years of experience at Access Fund working alongside a talented and energized staff with an amazing track record of success.”
During Winter’s tenure, climbers helped pass the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which designated nearly 2 million acres of new recreation, conservation, and Wilderness areas and followed the lead of Tribes to restore and defend Bears Ears National Monument. Access Fund also launched and grew the Climber Stewards program, which educates and inspires climbers at popular areas to care for and appreciate the places we enjoy. Internally, Winter led an unprecedented effort to strengthen Access Fund’s operational foundation and infrastructure for future success.
“Access Fund is powered by climbers all across the country, and I was inspired every day by the incredible people involved in this organization,” says Winter. “Leading the team was truly an honor as we worked to protect climbing and the places we love.”
Winter’s last full day as executive director is June 7, after which he will continue in a part-time advisory role.
“I’m honored and humbled to take on this role at a critical moment in our climbing community’s history,” says Murdock. “The climbing landscapes and opportunities we love face unprecedented challenges from climate change and shifting strategies for public lands management. It is more important than ever to rally climbers to the causes of conservation and sustainable, equitable climbing access.”
America’s 8 million climbers are a powerful climbing advocacy movement. Access Fund works to empower climbers with the tools they need to be effective advocates for the lands and sport they love—whether that’s elevating their voices to lawmakers, connecting them to volunteer opportunities, providing training and grants for local access and conservation projects, or helping them minimize their environmental impacts.