Access Fund is pleased to announce that we have put three (3) full time traveling Conservation Teams on the road this year to steward climbing areas across the country.

Now in its sixth year, the Access-Fund Jeep Conservation Team is one of Access Fund’s signature climbing area stewardship programs. Access Fund sent three two-person teams of conservation specialists out on the road last week to help local climbing communities address climber impacts and climbing area conservation needs. The teams will also provide training on stewardship planning and best practices for keeping their climbing areas healthy.

Access Fund will dedicate one team to the eastern half of the country, one team to the western half of the country, and one team with a community outreach and education focus that will tackle shorter-term projects across the entire country.

“We’re thrilled to add another full-time Conservation Team to the fleet,” says Access Fund Stewardship Director, Ty Tyler. “With this added program depth, the east and west teams can focus on more intensive, longer-term stewardship work.”

The National Team will continue the tradition of outreach, training, and Adopt a Crag support. They will begin their tour in the Southwest and chase the good weather clockwise around the US into the late fall. The East Team will take advantage of project-specific funding and AmeriCorp support for lengthy stays at Foster Falls, Moss Rock Preserve, Steele, St Elmo, the Red River Gorge, and Denny Cove. The West Team will take advantage of project-specific funding and AmeriCorp support for extensive improvements in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Index, Tieton, Washington Pass, Devils Tower, and Joe's Valley.

As climbing continues to grow in popularity, it is Access Fund’s goal to create sustainable climbing environments that can withstand the increase in use. Over the past five years, the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team has set a new standard of climbing area stewardship thanks to the generous support of title sponsor Jeep brand and long time supporting sponsors REI, CLIF Bar, and Therm-a-Rest. This year we are pleased to welcome supporting sponsors La Sportiva and Yakima to the program. Together we can cover more ground, do more work, and touch even more communities.