Access Fund, the national non-profit advocacy organization that protects America’s outdoor climbing areas, is pleased to welcome Gareth Martins as its new Marketing & Communications Director.

A seasoned marketing and communications professional, Martins has worked in the outdoor industry for nearly two decades, earning a reputation for creative brand stewardship, marketing and communications savvy, and organizational leadership. Most recently, Martins served nearly five years as Director of Marketing for Outdoor Industry Association, and prior to that led marketing for Osprey Packs where he helped grow the brand to market dominance over the course of fourteen years. Martins brings a long history of public lands advocacy to the role, including extensive citizen lobbying in Washington, DC. He has also served on the board of The Conservation Alliance and is currently serving on the Alaska Wilderness League board.

“As purveyors of the outdoor experience, we have the power and the obligation to protect and care for the outdoor places that are essential to our relationship with nature—and to grow an outdoors for all,” says Martins. “I am honored and very excited to join the Access Fund team because I care deeply about protecting our public lands, as well as thoughtful work that holistically incorporates climate action and creates a welcoming climbing experience built on JEDI principles. I’m proud to join an organization that has consistently demonstrated clear purpose to its constituency for so long.”

Access Fund is also pleased to announce that Holly Smolenski, who has led marketing and communication for Access Fund for the last eleven years, will be staying on in the new role of Senior Content Strategist to help shape the organization’s message of access, stewardship, and conservation into the future.

“We are thrilled to add Gareth to our growing team of passionate advocates at Access Fund,” says Chris Winter, Executive Director. “He cares deeply about our climbing landscapes, is an avid enthusiast for climbing and many other outdoor pursuits, and has the talent and experience to inspire our community.”

“Holly has made a lasting impact on Access Fund and our mission to protect America’s climbing, and we’re so thankful that she will continue to share her vision and talents with the climbing community,” says Winter. “With the growth in climbing, our work is critical and we’re preparing for the future.”