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May 17, 2002, 2:31 PM
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VIRTUAL TIMES #19
May 2002
www.accessfund.org/
To view this issue on our website click: www.accessfund.org/virtual_times/e-news19.html
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. The Access Fund Presents Third Annual Adopt-a-Crag Day: Sponsored by REI (Title), W.L. Gore (Presenting) and CLIF Bar (Supporting)
2. Report from the Policy Guy – by Jason Keith, Access Fund Policy Analyst
3. Access Fund Executive Director to step down
4. “Bliss-ful” experience in Washington
5. Thanks-We’re Cranking!
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1. The Access Fund Presents Third Annual Adopt-a-Crag Day: Sponsored by REI (Title), W.L. Gore (Presenting) and CLIF Bar (Supporting)
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The Access Fund is proud to present the third annual Adopt-a-Crag Day on September 7, 2002. Adopt-a-Crag Day is the Access Fund’s signature event, a national commitment by the climbing community to natural resource stewardship and volunteerism. This year, the Access Fund expects Adopt-a-Crag Day will produce trail restoration projects and crag clean-ups at nearly 100 climbing areas around the country.
Title Sponsor Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), Presenting Sponsor W.L. Gore, and Supporting Sponsor Clif Bar are the Access Fund’s partners in presenting this event. “Adopt-a-Crag would not be possible without the generous financial support of outdoor industry leaders REI, Gore, and Clif Bar,” said Adopt-a-Crag Coordinator Kate Cavicchio. “The commitment of these three companies to supporting grassroots activism to protect our climbing resources and climbers’ access is outstanding.”
Since its inception, Adopt-a-Crag Day has drawn together thousands of volunteers for 131 events in 27 states. Through Adopt-a-Crag events, climbers have built and restored hundreds of miles of trails, hauled thousands of bags of trash, and completed multiple conservation initiatives.
Adopt-a-Crag Day is the most wide-ranging initiative organized by the climbing community. Adopt-a-Crag Day activities often include litter clean-ups, visual impact mitigation, trail construction and restoration, erosion control, and wildlife monitoring.
“Adopt-a-Crag Day is about giving back a little, so I try not to think about the good PR I’m doing with the rangers or the improved trail I’ll get to use next time I have to hike out in the dark,” says author, long-time climber and Adopt-a-Crag organizer Jeff Achey. “I hope for a perfect climbing day so I can feel like I’m making a sacrifice. No use. There’s always a chance to climb a bit, watch the cliff birds fly, and have a great party with friends.”
For more information or to register an event visit http://www.accessfund.org/events/events_events.html
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2. Report from the Policy Guy – by Jason Keith, Access Fund Policy Analyst
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The Access Fund Policy Program is presently focusing on the following issues:
-Continuing work towards the establishment of policy/regulation authorizing (but limiting) fixed anchors in wilderness.
-Working with Congress and federal land management agencies on recreation fees to make sure climbers are not targeted unfairly and that use fees do not apply to all areas.
-Presentation for federal Wilderness officials at the prestigious Arthur Carhart Wilderness Training Center.
-Development of a Hill Climber’s Network in Washington to build congressional contacts for the climbing community.
-Producing an educational brochure for Indian Creek Corridor Recreation Plan for the Indian Creek Corridor (slated for public review in October, 2002).
Management planning update: The Access Fund is working closely with local climbers and land managers on plans for the New River Gorge (WV), Obed River (TN), Devils Tower (WY), Cave Rock (CA), the Flatirons, boulder Mountain Parks/Open Space (CO), Castle Rock Ranch (ID), and Hueco Tanks (TX). The Access Fund recently met with New River Gorge National River (NRGNR) Superintendent Cal Hite regarding a proposed closure of the Endless Wall to establish habitat for peregrine falcons. The Access Fund is urging the New to test other strategies before resorting to a closure of the Gorge’s centerpiece climbing area.
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3. Access Fund Executive Director to step down
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In early May the Access Fund announced that Sam Davidson, its Executive Director, will return to California, where his family lives. Davidson will remain in the position until a new Executive Director has been appointed and will work closely with his successor to ensure a smooth transition and sustain the strong momentum of the organization.
Davidson emphasized that he departs the Access Fund on excellent terms, and that his resignation is entirely for personal reasons. “It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve the climbing community as Executive Director of the Access Fund, but it’s time for me to read more bedtime stories to my kids.” Davidson will stay involved with the Access Fund in some capacity.
Davidson has been with the Access Fund since its inception in 1990. Formerly the Senior Policy Analyst, he was promoted to Executive Director in April 2001. During Davidson’s tenure as leader of the Access Fund, the organization awarded more than $200,000 in grants to support local climber activism, acquisitions, protection of private lands and conservation projects; improved its membership program; launched a campaign to promote stewardship and preserve access to bouldering areas; and continued to advocate powerfully for climbers on land management planning and policy issues, including the issue of fixed anchor use in designated wilderness areas.
Becky Hall, President of the Access Fund board of directors, thanked Davidson for his long-time service on the Access Fund staff, and for his productive efforts as Executive Director. The board of directors has formed a Search Committee, and is already conducting interviews with candidates for the position.
Davidson commented, Climbers face more threats to access than ever before, and frequently it is the work of the Access Fund that prevents climbing areas from being completely closed, as we did at Hueco Tanks. If you are a climber, membership in the Access Fund is mandatory!”
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4. “Bliss-ful” experience in Washington
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Since the Fall of 2001, the Access Fund has retained an experienced Washington, DC lobbyist to support our public policy agenda. John Bliss has logged over twenty years of work on Capitol Hill, both as a Congressional staffer and as a lobbyist representing individuals, corporations and trade associations.
Bliss is a partner in the law firm of Higgins, McGovern & Smith, LLC, which specializes in representation before international, federal, state, local regulatory, and legislative bodies. Bliss’s first job in Washington was as a staffer for Senator Arlen Specter; he has since served as chief counsel to the US Senate Judiciary Committee. Bliss also was the president of a 180-plus-member trade association, and CEO for a strategic consulting firm that focuses on brand equity and corporate liability.
Bliss’s work for the Fund focuses on limiting or eliminating the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program and establishing management authority for the use and placement of fixed anchors in Wilderness.
Bliss is a dedicated climber and longtime Access Fund member who makes the trip to the New River Gorge nearly every weekend. The Access Fund is fortunate to have the committed services of such an experienced Washington insider to aid us in defending climbers’ freedoms.
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5. Thanks-We’re Cranking!
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The Access Fund is proud to report the initial results of our most recent appeal, which focuses on preserving access and protecting the climbing experience in southern Utah.
Nearly 180 members have contributed to this initiative so far, and the Fund has already raised over $10,000. Donations made to this initiative will go directly to critical projects such as:
-Preserving the climbers’ campground/access to Castleton Tower.
-Fighting to ensure that a new management plan for Indian Creek is “climber friendly.”
-Protecting the unique climbing experience in this region.
Access Fund members continue to make a real difference in representing climbers’ interests. The Fund recently awarded a $20,000 grant – one of our largest grants ever – to Utah Open Lands to complete the Castleton Tower purchase.
If you would like to help save climbing in the desert spaces of Southern Utah contact Aimee Baker to make a contribution at 888.863.6237 x107 or aimee@accessfund.org.
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Virtual Times Policies:
1. The Access Fund office in Boulder is the only source of
outgoing messages to the lists.
2. The AF will not sell or give away email addresses for the V-Times.
3. V-Times is an announcement-only e-mail list; therefore, you cannot reply to any of the list members.
4. All e-mail addresses will remain confidential with every mail sent.
[ This Message was edited by: rrradam on 2002-05-17 07:32 ]
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