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AF E-News #31
May 2003
The Access Fund
your climbing future
View online:
http://www.accessfund.org/virtual_times/e-news31.html
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Idaho's
Castle Rocks Opens to Climbing
2. Access Fund Moves Climbers For Political
Action Event To Capitol Hill
3. Delaware Water Gap, PA--Minsi Cliffs Closed to
Protect Nesting Peregrine Falcons
4. South Platte, CO--Partial Reopening of
Hayman Fire Burn Area
5. Golden Cliffs Preserve, CO--Gate Installed at Entrance
to Property and Recent Construction work
6. Mayford Peery Donates $10,000 to the
Access Fund for the Golden Cliffs Preserve, CO
7. Job Announcement- Access Fund
Development Assistant
8. Access Fund Planned Giving
9. 50th anniversary of the
first ascent of Mt. Everest
10. REI-Featured Corporate Partner
11. Vertical
Times Newsletter Online
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1. Idaho's Castle Rocks
Opens to Climbing
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After
years of anticipation, Castle Rocks State Park will open to climbing on Memorial
Day Weekend. These 400-foot cliffs of Castle Rock Ranch were privately owned
until recently. The Castle Rock Ranch Acquisition Act of 2000 authorized the
National Park Service to purchase the 1,240-acre ranch with funding provided by
the Access Fund and the Conservation Fund. The NPS then transferred the
property to the state of Idaho who then opened the area as a state park with
climbing acknowledged as a prominent use. The AF will publish a brochure for
the area in May and a complete report will follow in Vertical Times #53 (August
issue).
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2. Access Fund Moves
Climbers For Political Action Event To Capitol Hill
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The Access Fund has
decided to move our Climbers for Political Action event to Capitol Hill. We
initially planned to hold our event at Great Falls Park, but because May 15 is a
voting day, and it would be difficult for speakers to get out to Great Falls
Park, we moved the venue to Capitol Hill.
We will now be holding our event at the Holiday Inn on the Hill in the
Congressional Room on May 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Speakers will begin at 1:30
p.m. The Holiday Inn on the Hill is just a few blocks from the Capitol at 415
New Jersey Avenue NW. Their phone number is 202-638-1616.
WHO: The Access Fund, U.S. Congressional members and staff, federal land agency
officials and their staff, local climbing organizations, local climbers,
environmental groups, local and national media, support staff and volunteers
WHAT: Climbers for Political Action media event.
WHEN: Thursday May 15, 2003
from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: In the Congressional Room at The Holiday Inn on the Hill just a few
blocks from the Capitol at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW.
WHY: Climbers for Political Action is intended to improve the connections
between climbers and government, and galvanize climber activism in support of
legislation and regulatory initiatives that benefit climbing in the United
States. Climbers for Political Action will provide a forum for legislators and
agency officials to speak on public lands policy an opportunity to promote the
merits of their legislative and agenda before a diverse audience, provide a
forum for agency officials to illustrate their land management goals, and will
give climbers and environmentalists an opportunity to demonstrate their support
for these initiatives.
HOW: We are scheduling brief remarks by Congressional members and agency
officials between approximately 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Speakers will brief the
audience on their public land management policies. Because the Access Fund has
recently executed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Forest Service
concerning recreation management and are in the process of doing so with the
Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service as well an additional theme
of Climbers for Political Action will be the benefits of public/private
partnerships on public lands.
Representative Mark Udall (D-CO) will be our keynote speaker, and Mark Rey,
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and the
Environment, are scheduled to speak. Several additional Congressional members
and agency officials have also indicated that they will be available to present
remarks as well concerning their public lands management policies.
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3. Delaware Water Gap,
PA--Minsi Cliffs Closed to Protect Nesting Peregrine Falcons
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There is presently a
seasonal wildlife closure on a segment of the cliffs at Mount Minsi on the
southwest side of Delaware Water Gap. The closure will extend from the Point of
Gap to Arrow Island Overlooks on Route 611 south of the Borough of Delaware
Water Gap. Climbing on the NJ side of the river remains open.
The objective of the closure--which should be in effect until early August--is
to protect a pair of breeding peregrine falcons that are attempting to nest on
the cliff face. The species is a Pennsylvania designated endangered species, and
it's estimated there are only about a dozen nesting pairs statewide. The park's
cliffs within the Water Gap are historical nesting areas, dating back to the
1940s and 1950s; however, there have been no know nests since then. Peregrines
once nested at 44 sites in at least 21 counties within the state. By 1961, they
were no longer found anywhere after being extirpated by egg collecting,
shooting, and pesticides--particularly DDT.
Because this is the first time that raptors have returned to this area in many
years, the park is taking a conservative approach in establishing the spatial
extent of the closure. Park managers have indicated a willingness to modify the
closure in future years if raptors return to the site and will work with local
climbers and the Access Fund to implement a closure that is the minimum
necessary to protect the birds.
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4. South Platte,
CO--Partial Reopening of Hayman Fire Burn Area
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The Forest Service has
reopened the Hayman Fire burn area for limited public use. While the entire
137,000-acre area is now open for public access, only select roads and/or trails
are expected to be cleared for motorized vehicle access in the near future.
Also, there are no restrictions on hiking throughout the burn area, and only a
limited number of trails have been "cleared" for recreational use. The terrain
in the burn area continues to be fragile and safety hazards still exist
throughout much of the area. Please be aware that parking is ONLY allowed in
specifically designated areas. While outside the burn area, there is limited
off-road parking. No off-road parking is allowed within the burn area.
Presently, Sheep's Nose is the only area in the burn area with designated
parking.
Signs have been placed throughout the burn area to identify open roads, trails
and facilities and designate which types of uses are permitted. As additional
roads, trails and facilities are cleared for use, access to them will be phased
in over the next weeks and months when work has been completed and signing
installed.
Further information including maps of reopened areas can be found at
www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/hayres/Area_Opening.htm or by calling the Pike National
Forest at 303-275-5615.
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5. Golden Cliffs
Preserve, CO--Gate Installed at Entrance to Property and Recent Construction
work
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In response to
neighborhood concerns over unauthorized and late-night use of the parking areas
at North Table Mountain, the city of Golden recently installed an automatic gate
at the entrance to the open space property. The gate, located on city of Golden
property, will open at 6:00am and close at 9:00pm.
The Golden Cliffs Preserve is a popular climbing/hiking day use area that was
donated to the Access Fund by Mayford Peery in 1995. The property, which is
adjacent to a residential area, had uncontrolled access in the past. The Access
Fund Land Foundation and the Access Fund will work with the city to ensure
reasonable and appropriate public access to the open space property through an
easement agreement.
Notice: the city of Golden extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused by
the recent sewer line replacement work that prevented vehicle access to the open
space property during the past week. The Access Fund had no prior notification
from the city that this work was scheduled. The work should be completed by May
9.
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6. Mayford Peery Donates
$10,000 to the Access Fund for the Golden Cliffs Preserve, CO
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In March, long time Access
Fund supporter Mayford Peery of Golden, Colorado, forgave the final $10,000
payment due on a loan made to the Access Fund. In 1999 Peery loaned $75,000 to
the AF to expedite construction of the $110,000 trail head facilities at the
Golden Cliffs Preserve. Since then, the AF has paid $55,000 toward the principal
amount of the loan, and was prepared each of the past two years to make the
payments according to the loan agreement.
However, in 2002 and again in March of this year, Perry elected to forgive the
$10,000 payments due, essentially donating a total of $20,000 to the Access Fund
over the past two years. Mayford Peery has been the most prolific donor in the
Access Fund's 13-year history. In 1995, he donated the 28-acre Golden Cliffs
Preserve, which at that time was appraised at nearly $450,000. By extending the
$75,000 loan for construction of the trailhead facilities, he enabled the Access
Fund to "officially" open the area for public access.
The Golden Cliffs Preserve, according to Access Fund estimates, sees more than
30,000 climber visits annually, making it one of the most popular crags in
Colorado's Front Range. "Mayford Peery's philanthropy is one of the great
stories in the preservation of American climbing areas," said Rick Thompson,
president of the Access Fund Land Foundation. "We hope his remarkable generosity
will serve to inspire others, and we extend our deepest gratitude to Mayford for
all he has done for climbing. Bravo!"
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7. Job Announcement-
Access Fund Development Assistant
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The Access Fund has an
opening for a person with strong presentation and communication skills. This
position will support all aspects of fundraising and development through the
management of our events, community partnership program, Ambassador Team, and
various other tasks. The successful candidate will be: self-starting, adept at
multi tasking, enjoy challenges and an initiator of ideas. Candidates should be
energetic, well organized and able to work independently yet closely with fellow
staff and the community of Access Fund supporters.
This is a full-time position with good benefits and an exciting, supportive work
environment. Salary range $23,000-27,000, two weeks paid vacation, health and
retirement benefits. Position based in Boulder, Colorado, to be filled early
June 2003.
Deadline for applications: May 16, 2003.
Send query or resume with cover letter
to:
Heather Clark
Development Director
The Access Fund
PO Box 17010
Boulder CO 80308
303-545-6772 x 100
fax: 303-545-6774
email: heather@accessfund.org
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8. Access Fund Planned
Giving
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Your gift to the
Access Fund (AF) is more important now than ever. Non-profits are facing
challenging times in our current economy and organizations like the AF rely on
the steadfast support of our loyal membership to help us endure. The US Senate
acknowledged that charities are struggling and passed new legislation last month
granting new tax breaks to individuals donating to charities. Specifically, the
bill would give people who do not itemize on their taxes a break for annual
donations from $250 to $500. The bill also gives tax breaks for corporate
donations, allows tax-free donations from individual retirement accounts, and
encourages banks to offer individual development accounts, which match the
savings of low-income people.
The AF is making it even easier to give this year. The following is a brief
outline of how you can make your donation count this year.
Renewals: Renew your membership in the AF by phone, via our secure website, or
by mail. Be sure to check out our new membership benefits.
Join our 5.12 program: Our monthly giving program is growing to be the most
popular way to make your membership donation. The AF automatically draws at
least $10 per month from your credit card or bank account. You stay a current
member and the AF saves money by avoiding printing and mailing costs for monthly
contributors.
Special Appeal Donations: Presently, the AF is fundraising for our Climbing
Preservation Grants program. Your donation to this appeal is an above and beyond
gift that will sustain our grants program and will help the AF continue to give
15% of our budget in the form of grants to local climbing organizations for
stewardship, education and organizing.
Stock or Planned Gifts: Given the current economy, a long-term gift might be a
better choice for you right now. The AF has everything in place to help you make
a gift of stock or long term planned gifts.
Please call the AF at 888-8MEMBER if you are interested in any of these
programs. Your current gift is critical during these tough economic times.
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9. 50th anniversary of the
first ascent of Mt. Everest
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Celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest with Ed Hillary and 49 other
Everest summiters in San Francisco on June 10th. Contact the American Himalayan
Foundation for details: 415-288-7250 or on the web at
www.himalayan-foundation.org.
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10. REI-Featured Corporate
Partner
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"REI is a proud
and long-time supporter of the Access Fund because of the balanced, strategic
and collaborative approach they take," said Dennis Madsen, REI president and
chief executive officer. "Combining stewardship and conservation programs along
with their efforts to promote climbing prove beneficial for all of us who enjoy
outdoor recreation."
REI supports the work of the Access Fund in a tradition unparalleled in the
outdoor recreation community. REI demonstrates its long-standing history of
commitment, partnership and dedication to the Access Fund in countless ways. For
example, REI has assisted in the establishment of our National Network of
Regional Coordinators, has supported several constituency building and
technology projects, and has participated in the formation of climbing policy
and the defense of climbing freedoms at the national level. The Access Fund's
ongoing relationship with REI ensures the sustainability of our programs and
supports the Access Fund's policy and education programs. The Access Fund is
greatly appreciative and proud of REI's decade-long partnership. Visit them
online at http://www.rei.com/
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11. Vertical Times
Newsletter Online
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The Vertical Times
newsletter, the Access Fund's bimonthly publication, provides up-to-date news on
policy, area reports, events, action alerts, grants, and more. It is a benefit
to members and non-members alike (if you are not a member, please join at
https://www.accessfund.org/secure/joinnow/join_indiv.php). Indeed it is a
benefit to the entire climbing community. By offering this unique publication
electronically, the Access Fund will decrease printing and mailing costs and
allocate more funds to protect YOUR CLIMBING FUTURE. If you choose to take part
in this effort, and cease shipment of the Vertical Times to your home, please
email your name/address to cindy@accessfund.org with "Remove Vertical Times" as
the subject.
Presently, over 300 members have requested not to receive their print copy of
Vertical Times (a savings to the Access Fund of $900 per year to be utilized in
protecting YOUR CLIMBING FUTURE).
To view issues of Vertical Times, including the June volume #52, visit
http://www.accessfund.org/vertical_times/index.html
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