Buying a Climbing Area
Many great climbing areas are located on private land or require access across private land. There is always a risk that these lands could be closed to public access, put up for sale, or threatened by residential development. When risk management tools and access agreements don’t work, the only way to save a threatened climbing area may be to buy it.
We encourage local advocates to work with the Access Fund to determine the best conservation strategy, which could include land acquisitions, conservation easements, access easements, hold and transfers to climber-friendly public agencies, subdivisions, and/or option agreements.
Access Fund can also help you determine if your project is a good fit for the Climbing Conservation Loan Program, which provides local climbing organizations and land trusts with bridge financing and transaction expertise for time-sensitive projects.
Use our Resource Center below to learn more. The Risk Management Strategies and Working with Private Landowner sections also provide helpful information. Contact us at [email protected] or call 303.545.6772 to explore conservation tools.
Resource Center
There are many conservation strategies for obtaining climbing access on private land. The chart and definitions of conservation strategies will help get you pointed in the right direction.
The Access Fund’s Climbing Conservation Loan Program provides local climbing organizations and land trusts with bridge financing and transaction expertise for time-sensitive projects.
A grant from the Climbing Conservation Grant Program can kick start acquisition, stewardship, policy, research, local support, and education projects.
Land Trust Standards and Practices are guidelines set by the Land Trust Alliance for responsible operation, sound land transactions, and long-term stewardship. All local climbing organizations that own climbing areas are encouraged to adopt these standards.
This chart will help you navigate the lengthy process of a land acquisition project.
Access Fund is a nationally accredited land trust. While it is our first priority to support local organizations to protect their climbing areas, Access Fund currently holds land and conservation easements across the nation. Learn more about these areas and view sample easements, land management plans, and policies here.
