Sponsors of the Access Fund Jeep® Climbing Conservation Team

Access Fund Contact:
Brady Robinson
Executive Director, Access Fund
303-545-6772 x101
brady@accessfund.org

REI Contact:
Bethany Hawley
Senior Public Affairs Associate, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)
253-395-8252
mbhawley@rei.com

Outdoor Research Contact:
Outdoor Research
Dave Simpson, Verde PR
dave@verdepr.com
970.259.3555

CLIF BAR and Company Contact:
Lauren Kanouse
Clif Bar & Company
510-596-6433
lkanouse@clifbar.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REI, Outdoor Research, and CLIF® BAR to be Supporting Sponsors of the Access Fund – Jeep® Climbing Conservation Team

Boulder, CO. July 27, 2011 – The Access Fund, the national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment, is excited to announce the Jeep® brand as the title sponsor of the Access Fund’s new traveling Conservation Team, with REI, Outdoor Research, and CLIF BAR as the supporting sponsors of the program.

The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team will employ two, full-time conservation/trail building experts who will travel the country in a new 2011 Jeep Patriot to help maintain climbing areas throughout the United States. The team will work with local climbers to address conservation needs and will provide training on planning and stewardship best practices. Look for the team to hit the road later this summer.

This new program will extend the success of the Access Fund’s existing Adopt a Crag and TeamWorks stewardship programs that help local climbers around the country take care of the places they play. The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team will provide climbing communities and volunteers with the training and resources they need to address conservation issues before they become dire.

The Access Fund is proud to have additional support from REI, Outdoor Research, and CLIF BAR on this important conservation initiative that will result in healthier climbing areas for everyone to enjoy. REI, Outdoor Research, and CLIF BAR are leaders in the outdoor industry dedicated to protecting the places we play outdoors through stewardship, volunteerism, and education.

Look for the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team at a climbing area or climbing event near you. Stay tuned to www.accessfund.org for upcoming details about this new program, or to schedule a visit in your area.


About Access Fund
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. The Access Fund supports and represents over 2.3 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.

About REI
REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.

About Outdoor Research
Based in Seattle, Wash., Outdoor Research designs and manufactures functional solutions for human-powered adventure. Outdoor Research offers technically innovative and superior apparel, headwear, handwear, gaiters, storage and shelter systems. Product testing and high-quality construction is backed up with OR’s Infinite Guarantee®. Outdoor Research enthusiastically supports the outstanding conservation, access, and educational efforts of a variety of organizations and encourages our customers to do the same. Outdoor Research – Designed by Adventure®.

About Clif Bar & Company
Clif Bar & Company is a leading maker of nutritious and organic foods and drinks, including CLIF® BAR energy bar, LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women®; and CLIF Kid®, Nourishing Kids in Motion®. Focused on sports nutrition and healthy snacks, the employee and family-owned company is committed to sustaining its people, brands, business, community and planet. For more information on Clif Bar & Company, please visit www.clifbar.com, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/clifbar and follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/clifbar.
Recently Clif Bar & Company was ranked the No. 1 brand in the Forbes Breakaway Brands survey, conducted by Landor Associates using Young & Rubicam’s BrandAsset Valuator database measuring brand momentum from 2006 to 2009. (Forbes.com)