Access Fund Announces 2008’s First Round Grant Recipients

The Access Fund continues its support of grassroots climbing advocacy and conservation projects by awarding four grants totaling $11,750 in 2008’s first round of Climbing Preservation Grants. Presented three times annually, these grants provide financial assistance for local climber activism and protection of the climbing environment in the United States.

The Access Fund awarded grants to the Mid-Atlantic Climbers, Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition, The Mohonk Preserve, NY, and Carolina Climbers Coalition.

Mid-Atlantic Climbers (MAC) will use its grant award to help offset the cost of graffiti removal equipment needed for its Adopt-a-Crag at the Northwest Branch climbing area. While the Northwest Branch is a smaller climbing area, it provides quality climbing convenient to the DC Metro area. MAC will remove graffiti (not climber related) that covers boulders and the base of climbs at the Northwest Branch. For more information about MAC or the Northwest Branch Adopt-a-Crag, visit www.dcmetroclimbing.org.

Northern Colorado Climbers Coalition’s (NCCC) grant award will help this new Local Climbing Organization with formation and start-up costs, including its 501(C)(3) filing fee and web-hosting costs. NCCC is one of the Access Fund’s newest affiliates and is off to a great start. For more information about NCCC contact, Cameron Cross at horsetoothhang@yahoo.com.

Grant funds awarded to the Mohonk Preserve, NY will help fund a two-seat, solar-vented toilet at the Preserve’s West Trapps trailhead. The Preserve is home to the world famous “Gunks” climbing area, and the West Trapps trailhead provides access to many of the area’s finest climbs.

The Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) will use its grant award to pay off remaining bridge loans and interest for its Laurel Knob, NC acquisition. In 2006, the CCC purchased the 50 acre tract that included Laurel Knob, one of the tallest cliffs in the East.

June 15, 2008 is the second-round grants deadline. Please review the grants requirements at www.accessfund.org/cons/guidelines.php and send your completed application to Ellen@accessfund.org.

About the Access Fund
The Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. Founded in 1991, 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: public policy, stewardship & conservation (including grants), grassroots activism, climber education, and land acquisition.