Access Fund is a non-partisan organization with a mission to protect climbing access and conserve the climbing environment. Nearly 60% of America’s climbing areas are located on federal lands so changes to the federal government can have profound impacts on America’s climbing landscape as well as Access Fund’s strategy and tactics to accomplish our mission. The recent changes to the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government will impact how climbers experience America’s public lands as well as the integrity of the climbing environment. 

The evolving changes to the executive branch in particular, including federal land management agencies, will have profound effects on climbing, so it is Access Fund’s responsibility to inform climbers of how these changes will affect America’s climbing areas, legacy and community. We expect many more changes to roll out in the upcoming months, but the following list of some of the recent executive orders paints a picture of the general spirit of these changes and provides insights into a likely future.

Environmental Protections

The new administration issued a series of executive orders that fastrack energy development on, but not limited to, federal lands by circumventing environmental standards and consideration of collateral damages to the environment, people and public land values. President Trump also rescinded executive orders by former presidents that require environmental protections, including ensuring access to clean air and water, curbing pollution and chemical exposure and limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Access Fund does not oppose appropriate energy development, but we support due diligence that integrates stakeholder input and democratic processes that protect Americans from unintended harm to local communities, economies, ecosystems and climbing areas.

Public Lands

Stewarding and protecting the integrity of public lands is a major focus of the Access Fund. High quality climbing experiences rely on conserved landscapes, clean air and water, protected cultural resources, sustainable access, as well as well managed climbing infrastructure. 

Because of this, Access Fund invests significant resources into our Stewardship and Education programs. The Trump administration ordered a pause to the release of funding appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The order terminates the American Climate Corps, a program that supports Access Fund’s Conservation Teams in combating erosion, mitigating wildfire damage, and strengthening recreation infrastructure at America’s climbing areas. The administration also froze grant programs that Access Fund depends on to support our successful Climber Stewards program (the administration rescinded the memo on 1/29/25 but the future of funding is uncertain). The Climber Stewards increase the capabilities of our federal land agency partners by engaging thousands of climbers and public land visitors to educate them on best practices and low impact behavior. Given the continued growth of climbing in America, our behavior is directly correlated to future access, so this program is central to our mission of protecting sustainable access.  Access Fund was looking forward to expanding the Climber Steward program in 2025 and is pursuing alternative funding sources to grow the program despite the obstacles placed by the current administration.

On a related note, the House of Representatives majority voted to enact rules that regard public lands sell offs or transfers as revenue neutral, meaning that efforts to sell off America’s public lands, such as the recent attempt by the state of Utah, would be easier to execute. The new rules align with the stated goals of the current administration. We have seen these efforts in the past and will push back on large scale public land sell off initiatives.

A new executive order directs the Interior secretary to revert Denali mountain back to the name “Mount McKinley.” Senator Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska said, “You can’t improve upon the name that Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans bestowed on North America’s tallest peak, Denali – the Great One. For years, I advocated in Congress to restore the rightful name for this majestic mountain to respect Alaska’s first people who have lived on these lands for thousands of years. This is an issue that should not be relitigated.” Access Fund agrees with the Alaskan Senator and respects indigenous tribes and sovereign rights. 

Land Management Agencies

Federal agencies such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service manage our climbing areas and partner with Access Fund on stewardship, education and policy initiatives that shape America’s climbing resources. Public land visitors depend on these agencies to conserve and protect our parks, forests and deserts, but all Americans depend on the agencies to fight wildfires and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. 

The current administration instituted a hiring freeze that blocks hiring staff such as climbing rangers, avalanche forecasters, and trail builders. In addition, and despite previous promises, seasonal employees who were already hired were fired before their first day of employment. Federal land agency budgets have been tight for many years, so the impacts of the dramatic staff reductions will be profound. Public land visitors will feel the resource deficiencies this summer when over 100 million Americans and international tourists flood our national parks and forests. Climbers will notice the lack of search and rescue resources, trail improvements and recreation infrastructure maintenance. All Americans will notice the lack of resources available during increasingly frequent natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.

While this is an uncertain time for public lands, conservation and climbing access, Access Fund’s commitment to supporting America’s climbing community remains steadfast. For over 30 years, we have fought to protect public lands, safeguard climbing access, and advocate for responsible stewardship of the places we love. The challenges ahead are significant, but we will continue to stand strong—working alongside our partners, land managers, and you—the climbing community—to ensure that future generations can experience the lasting legacy of climbing on our nation’s public lands. Now, more than ever, we need climbers to stay informed, engaged, and ready to take action to defend the places that inspire and energize our community.