Access Fund Announces Third Round Grant Recipients for 2009

www.accessfund.org

Boulder, CO, October 5, 2009 — In the third round of the Climbing Preservation Grant Program for 2009, the Access Fund awarded over $11,500 to support local climbing activism and conservation of the climbing environment. Presented three times annually, the Climbing Preservation Grants program provides financial assistance for local climber activism and protection of the climbing environment in the United States. During this third round of grants, the Access Fund is supporting three proposals. The following grants were awarded this round:

National Park Service – Exit Strategies Conference A grant was awarded to the National Park Service for a 2010 conference on exit strategies of human waste. This conference will include land managers and representatives from major climbing areas facing waste management crises due to high recreational use, such as Denali, Mt. Whitney, Mt Fuji, Rocky Mountain, Tetons, Indian Creek, and Mt. Rainier. Matching funds are being provided by the NPS, BLM, USFS, and American Alpine Club.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forest – Sam’s Throne Pit Toilet Ozark-St. Francis National Forest was awarded a grant for partial funding of a pit toilet at Sam’s Throne in Arkansas. The Forest Service and local climbing community have partnered to improve access and camping opportunities, yet the lack of toilet facilities has led to growing environmental damage at the site. The grant is awarded with support of the Arkansas Climbing Coalition, Boy Scouts local climbing committee, Arkansas Parks and Tourism, and Ozark Outdoor Supply.

Dishman Hills Natural Area Association (DHNAA) – Big Rock Road Improvement and Parking A grant was awarded to Dishman Hills Natural Area Association (DHNAA) to help fund road improvement and parking construction needed to access the newly acquired 80-acre Big Rock parcel, near Spokane, WA. Public access is currently closed until the unmaintained county road is improved and a small parking area is constructed. Access to the area was closed due to climbers and other users blocking driveways of adjacent neighbors in an attempt to park.

About the Access Fund Since 1991, the Access Fund has been the only national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. The Access Fund supports and represents over 1.6 million climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing: rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and bouldering. Five core programs support the mission on national and local levels: climbing management policy, stewardship and conservation, local support and mobilization, land acquisition and protection, and education. For more information visit www.accessfund.org.