While the rest of us were hibernating for the winter, thinking about our unsent projects from last season, LCOs around the country have been doing the opposite and pushing harder than ever to reach their advocacy goals. I’ve been reading annual reports and attending public annual meetings from across the LCO network, as well as sharing them out with my colleagues, and we continue to be amazed by land acquisitions, fresh trails, impact mitigation, and crushed fundraising goals. It’s inspiring to watch and gets us psyched for the year ahead. Right now, we’re pulling together some new resources to keep up with new advocacy tactics, provide more nonprofit development, and support your ongoing programming efforts. Check out a couple new ideas below, and keep an eye out for more in the near future.
As always, keep me posted on what you need from Access Fund in 2022. Happy spring and happy sending!
Jenna Winkler
National Affiliate Director
Photo © Irene Yee
New Funding Opportunity: Access Fund JEDI Grant Program
You spoke, and we listened—every grant cycle, we receive more and more grant applications for projects focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in climbing. We’re thrilled to announce a new grant program focused specifically on projects that work to dismantle barriers to climbing through programmatic work, training for your organization, hosting events with JEDI components, and other similar projects. Check out all the details, and if you have a project that fits the bill, get your applications in before the April 30 deadline.
2022 Webinar Schedule
We’re looking forward to hosting at least three more webinars specifically for LCOs this year. The next three topics are:
May: Digital Marketing—an overview of social media and marketing tools, lead generation, and how to write emails that activate and engage the community.
August: Finance & Budgeting—tips for tracking expenses, managing cash flow, and keeping up with nonprofit filings.
September: Climbing Management Plans 101—what they are, how they affect your climbing areas, and why LCOs need to be involved.
More details and registration available soon at accessfund.org/webinars.
Photo © Michael Allen
Help Us Understand Your LCO’s Gym Relationship
The Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers is partnering with the Climbing Wall Association and several other LCOs to gain a better understanding of the relationship between local advocates and climbing gyms. Please take a few minutes to complete this quick survey on how your organization works with the gyms in your area. The results will be used in a panel discussion at the Climbing Wall Association’s next conference to show how gyms can work alongside LCOs to support conservation, stewardship, and climber education.
Photo © Boulder Climbing Community
Resources for Bolt Replacement
Access Fund produces a small quantity of bolt removal devices—dubbed Hurley Juniors—to help LCOs hit the ground running on bolt replacement efforts. Designed to pull common ⅜" diameter wedge and split shaft bolts, the bolt removal device can also be modified to remove sleeve style anchors. In addition, a spinner tool comes in the kit to compromise the clip mechanism on a wedge bolt that serves as the anchor’s expansion sleeve and prevents it from pulling out of the rock. For more info and to request one of these devices for your LCO, fill out this form.
Movers & Shakers
Teton Climbers’ Coalition
Congrats to The Teton Climbers’ Coalition for successfully completing its filing and achieving 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status!
New River Alliance of Climbers (NRAC)
Thank you to NRAC for helping Access Fund expand the Climber Stewards program in the New River Gorge through fundraising and organizing the launch.
Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition (CACC)
Shout-out to CACC for a widely successful Spring Breaks Work Day! The Access Fund Conservation Team partnered with CACC to build 400 feet of new trail, including eight newly constructed switchbacks, plus the construction of a large stone retaining wall.
Resource Center
Dive into the history of advocacy and the economic development of the Red River Gorge through James Maples’ new book: Rock Climbing in Kentucky's Red River Gorge.
Many LCOs are currently at work on their annual 501(c)(3) filings—review this resource to see what goes into protecting your tax-exempt status.
Take a trip with our podcast host, Peter Horgan, as we hear from the Climber Stewards in Indian Creek, Valdez Adventure Alliance in Alaska, and Chris Kalman in Cochamó in our most recent episodes of The Climbing Advocate Podcast.