07/15/2009

Access Fund Announces Second Round Grant Recipients for 2009

Date: 7/16/2009

In the second round of the Climbing Preservation Grant Program for 2009, the Access Fund awarded over $12,000 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 second round of grants, the Access Fund is supporting five proposals, representing a wide array of projects from grassroots start-up, to trail work, climber education, and sanitation.

The following grants were awarded this round:

Friends of Indian Creek – Bridger Jack Toilet
A grant was awarded to the Friends of Indian Creek (FOIC) to help fund the construction and installation of a composting toilet at the Bridger Jack Campground. The campground is used primarily by climbers and current bathroom facilities in the area are over capacity. The Bureau of Land Management, FOIC, and other supporters are providing matching funds to complete the installation, and its maintenance will be a joint partnership led by FOIC and supported by the BLM.

Denver Climbers Coalition (DCC) – Organizational Start-Up
A grant was awarded to Denver Climbers Coalition (DCC) for start-up costs associated with obtaining their 501(c)(3) non-profit status, securing general liability insurance to support Adopt a Crag events, and website hosting. The Access Fund is excited to have the DCC as an affiliate and looks forward to their continued contributions to furthering the climbing access mission.

Arizona Mountaineering Club (AMC) – North McDowells Climber Path Signage
A grant was awarded to the Arizona Mountaineering Club to produce approximately 40 climbing access signs to be installed at the North Access Area of McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a 36,000 acre nature preserve in north Scottsdale. The signs will help keep climbers on official access paths to climbing areas. The City of Scottsdale is also creating a new trailhead and is purchasing the posts for each sign.

Wilmington State Parks – Alapocas Run Kiosk
A grant was awarded to Wilmington State Parks for the construction of an educational kiosk at the Alapocas Run Climbing area in Delaware, which features around two dozen sport and top rope routes. The kiosk will provide information to educate climbers about climbing opportunities, access information, and the free permitting process.

Utah Open Lands – Castleton Tower Adopt a Crag
A grant was awarded to Utah Open Lands, who will provide matching funds to conduct ongoing maintenance of the Castle Tower access trail, and construct four tent platforms and fire rings for campsite improvements. The money will also help fund a Castleton Tower web site to communicate current access and camping information to climbers. The trail work and campsite construction will take place as part of an Adopt a Crag event with local volunteer climbers this October.