09/21/2011
Date: 9/22/2011
The Access Fund is excited to announce that the Access Fund’s new traveling Conservation Team, sponsored by Jeep® brand, is ready to hit the road—first stop the Rocktoberfest climbing festival in the Red River Gorge of Kentucky. After the festival, the crew will take on their first stewardship project in collaboration with the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition.
After interviewing many great candidates, the Access Fund is pleased to welcome Dave Montgomery and Jeff Young as the Conservation Team crew. The duo met during their days working for Jefferson County Open Space in Colorado as trail technicians, and applied for the crew together. Both are avid climbers and come to the Access Fund with extensive trail building, stewardship, and conservation expertise.
Dave, a native to Colorado, is a dedicated volunteer and has worked to coordinate numerous stewardship events at climbing areas in the South Platte. He has also worked extensively with kids, teaching Leave No Trace clinics and coaching a youth climbing team for a recreational center. Jeff, an Illinois native, is also an avid volunteer, lending his time and trail building skills to numerous Adopt a Crag events across the Colorado front range. The Access Fund is thrilled to have Dave and Jeff leading the Conservation Team.
The Conservation Team will be leaving the Access Fund office in a new 2011 Jeep Patriot on October 4 and will make their way to Kentucky by October 7. “We’re excited to work with the Red River Gorge climbers to help address their conservation needs,” says Dave. The team will work with locals to provide training on planning and stewardship best practices.
“We are honored and excited that the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team is kicking off their tour at the Red River Gorge,” says Rick Bost of the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition. “This program is going to have a huge positive impact on the climbing areas throughout the US as well as promote more cooperation between the local climbing organizations and the Access Fund.”
The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team mission is to address conservation issues at climbing areas around the country before they become dire. To make a donation to support this critical work, visit www.accessfund.org/CTdonate.
The Conservation Team is made possible by Title Sponsor, Jeep, and Supporting Sponsors, CLIF Bar, Outdoor Research and REI.