We're pleased to announce that Access Fund is seeking renewal of its national land trust accreditation. Access Fund was first awarded the distinctive seal of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2015, confirming that we meet a rigorous standard of excellence for land conservation.

Access Fund purchased and still holds a critical parcel of land at The Homestead in Arizona, ancestral lands of Hohokam.

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for permanently protecting important outdoor places for conservation and recreation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. As of February 2020, only 443 entities have obtained this distinguished seal of land trust accreditation, recognized for upholding the public trust and ensuring that conservation efforts are permanent.

Accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance must be renewed every five years to ensure that organizations are still upholding the standard of excellence. Access Fund initiated the renewal process earlier this year and expects renewal by early next year.

“Land trust accreditation demonstrates that Access Fund leads by example and serves as an expert in land conservation when working with local climbing organizations, land trusts, and other conservation partners,” says Joe Sambataro, Access Fund’s access director. “We look forward to working with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission on renewing our commitment to excellence in conserving climbing areas across the country.”

Since 1991, Access Fund has supported 77 land acquisitions in partnership with land trusts, public entities, and local climbing organizations, totaling 17,338 acres across 27 states. Today, Access Fund directly holds three parcels of land critical to climbing—the Homestead in Arizona, Dogwood Boulders in Tennessee, and Pinnacle Boulders in New York—as well as nine conservation and recreation easements to ensure permanent conservation and public climbing access. Both Dogwood and Pinnacle Boulders are short-term holdings that will soon be transferred for permanent, climbing-friendly management.