We’re thrilled to celebrate 10 years of climbing stewardship through the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team program. Access Fund launched this innovative program in 2011, with title sponsor Jeep, to bring professional trail-building and conservation expertise to local climbing communities across the nation, many of which were struggling to keep up with the impacts of our growing sport.

Since the program’s inception, Conservation Team crews have stewarded and restored more than 200 climbing areas in nearly every state, mobilizing and training several thousand volunteers and climbing advocates. The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team is the leader in climbing conservation, offering the only program solely dedicated to conserving America’s climbing areas and proving to land managers that climbers are committed to caring for the places they recreate.

This year’s Conservation Team crews are already on the road, creating sustainable climbing areas and inspiring climbing communities across the country toward stewardship and advocacy.

Meet the Crews

Loryn Posladek & Kyle Leihsing - Conservation Team National Crew

We’re thrilled to have Loryn Posladek and Kyle Leihsing return for another season as our Conservation Team National crew. Undaunted by the challenges of 2020, including losing all of their volunteers to social distancing requirements, Loryn and Kyle are back and hoping to work alongside psyched volunteers from the climbing community (with masks and 6 feet of distance, of course). Prior to joining Access Fund, Loryn and Kyle gained their passion for conservation while working for the Idaho Conservation Corps. They are spending their first several weeks at the Homestead in Arizona, improving the access road and campsites, before heading to Mount Lemmon to help the Climbing Association of Southern Arizona with erosion control measures. From there, they will head to Indian Creek in Utah to build out the approach trail to Bridger Jack, then move on to Joe’s Valley to conduct a climbing stewardship workshop and training for local volunteers and advocates.

Jake Groth & Sam Richards - Conservation Team West Crew

We’re also excited to welcome back Jake Groth. For 2021, he is joined by his longtime friend and colleague Sam Richards from the American Conservation Experience Conservation Corp program, where Jake and Sam led complex stone stabilization projects. The dynamic team will play a critical role in Access Fund’s work to restore climbing areas west of the Mississippi. Jake and Sam join Loryn and Kyle for road and campsite improvements at the Homestead in Arizona, and the two teams will continue together to Mount Lemmon and Indian Creek. Jake and Sam will stay on at Indian Creek through the end of March, continuing critical stabilization work.

Conservation Team East Crew - We’re Hiring!

Access Fund is still on the hunt for a committed duo to help with several critical conservation projects at climbing areas east of the Mississippi. Do you dream of life on the road, climbing, and conserving outdoor landscapes? Learn more about the position, and join our team!

If you see any of these hardworking crews at your local crag, be sure to say hello, share a belay, or lend a hand carrying rocks. The teams love talking to climbers about Access Fund and the projects they’re working on. Follow the Conservation Teams and their work on their Facebook page.