Climbing Advocacy Conference 2022
Every year, Access Fund brings together luminaries from the climbing advocacy community to lead workshops, sit on panels, and conduct field visits in an educational, inclusive, and laid-back learning environment. This year, we teamed up with the Southeastern Climbers Coalition to put together a program focused on the future of conserving and protecting our climbing areas.
120+
50+
10
Friday, November 11
1) Protecting Cultural Resources: This session focused on educating our communities to recognize and protect cultural resources at climbing areas.
Moderator:
Aaron Mike, Native Lands Regional Coordinator, Access Fund
Speakers:
-Morgan Smith PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology Department of Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Morgan's slides linked here.
-Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Access Fund & Founder, Indigenous Field Guide
-Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds, Co-Founder, Kānaka Climbers & Founder, Indigenous Field Guide & Council Woman, O’ahu Nā Ala Hele Trails Council
Find out more on the Indigenous Field Guide here.
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2) LCO Development: Updating How You Engage Your Community: Speakers presented new tools that LCOs can add to their marketing strategies to educate local climbers and rally support.
Moderator:
Andrea Hassler, Field Manager, Access Fund
Speakers:
-Caleb Timmerman, Marketing Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-Emily Hernandez & Karson Leonard, Community Connections Conservation Team, Access Fund
Emily and Karson's slides linked here.
-Lauren Greco, Executive Director, CRAG-Vermont
Lauren's slides linked here.
Moderator:
Speakers:
3) Economic Impact of Climbing: Attendees learned about the economic impact that visiting climbers can have in the region surrounding popular climbing areas.
Moderator:
Zachary Lesch-Huie, Vice President of Programs and Acquisitions, Access Fund
Speakers:
-Andrew Bailey Ph.D., UF Foundation Associate Professor, University of Tennessee
-Tom Lamb, Director, Hamilton County Parks
-James Maples Ph.D., Associate Professor, Eastern Kentucky University
James's slides linked here.
-Billy Simek, Executive Director, Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition
Billy's slides linked here.
Speakers:
4) The State of Climbing on State Lands: Speakers covered the potential challenges and unique opportunities advocates encounter when working with state land managers.
Moderator:
Daniel Dunn, Southeast Regional Manager, Access Fund
Speakers:
-Kyle King, President, Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition
Kyle's slides linked here.
-Dana Caracciolo, Treasurer, Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers
Dana's slides linked here.
-Mike Reardon, Executive Director, Carolina Climbers Coalition
Mike's slides linked here.
Moderator:
Speakers:
5) Exploring Land Manager Motivations: This session was a deep dive discussion on patterns of land management decisions highlighted with specific examples of recent policy from across the country.
Moderator & Speaker:
Erik Murdock, Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs, Access Fund
Erik's slides linked here.
6) Starting and Supporting Affinity Groups: Community leaders explained how to start or grow an affinity group as well as the best ways to support these community leaders.
Moderator:
Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Access Fund
Speakers:
-Brittany Leavitt, CEO, Brown Girls Climb
-Kendall Martin, Founder, WeClimb
Kendall's slides linked here.
-Tiffany Blount, Founder, Black Girls Boulder
Tiffany's slides linked here.
Speakers:
Saturday, November 12
Attendees chose between four different crags, each with their own unique challenges and success stories, to hear from the advocates who were directly involved with the work.
Walden's Ridge Park:
The advocacy work at Walden’s Ridge showcases successful partnerships with other user groups and the importance of building durable and sustainable infrastructure when given the opportunity. Topics included stewardship, managing multi-user recreation, working with land trusts, partnering with local municipalities, and establishing new climbing.
Speakers:
-Daniel Dunn, Southeast Regional Manager, Access Fund
-Kate Hanes, Stewardship Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-Tom Lamb, Director, Hamilton County Parks
-Les Warnock, President, Southern Offroad Bicycle Association - Chattanooga
-Tim Laramore, Executive Director, North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy
-Gaston Farmer, Conservation Project Manager, The Land Trust for Tennessee
Wauhatchie Boulders:
By working with the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, Access Fund was able to open up access to these downtown-adjacent boulders and build sustainable landing zones and trails in partnership with SCC. Topics included working with land trusts, stewardship, grant writing, urban accessibility, and establishing new climbing.
Speakers:
-Ty Tyler, Stewardship Director, Access Fund
-Meagan Evans, Executive Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-Holly Odell, Community Outreach Coordinator, Lookout Mountain Conservancy
Castle Rock:
Castle Rock proves the power of relationship building with private landowners. Attendees heard more about how climbers engaged with the private landowner to secure access at Castle Rock. Topics included acquisitions, leases, and raptor management.
Speakers:
-Andrea Hassler, Stewardship Manager, Access Fund
-Caleb Timmerman, Marketing & Outreach Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-Rick Huffines, Executive Director, Tennessee River Gorge Trust
-Eliot Berz, Director of Conservation and Access, Tennessee River Gorge Trust
Denny Cove:Access Fund and SCC partnered with state-level agencies and land trusts to protect Denny Cove, purchasing the property and then transferring it to Cumberland State Park for permanent ownership and management. Topics included acquisition, stewardship/buildout, partnerships, state level policy, establishing new climbing, working with land trusts, and data collection/GIS.
Speakers:
-Zachary Lesch-Huie, Vice President of Programs and Acquisitions, Access Fund
-Matthew Gant, Co-Chair of Fixed Anchor Committee, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-George Shinn, Park Manager 2, South Cumberland State Park
Walden's Ridge Park:
The advocacy work at Walden’s Ridge showcases successful partnerships with other user groups and the importance of building durable and sustainable infrastructure when given the opportunity. Topics included stewardship, managing multi-user recreation, working with land trusts, partnering with local municipalities, and establishing new climbing.
Speakers:
-Daniel Dunn, Southeast Regional Manager, Access Fund
-Kate Hanes, Stewardship Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-Tom Lamb, Director, Hamilton County Parks
-Les Warnock, President, Southern Offroad Bicycle Association - Chattanooga
-Tim Laramore, Executive Director, North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy
-Gaston Farmer, Conservation Project Manager, The Land Trust for Tennessee
Wauhatchie Boulders:
By working with the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, Access Fund was able to open up access to these downtown-adjacent boulders and build sustainable landing zones and trails in partnership with SCC. Topics included working with land trusts, stewardship, grant writing, urban accessibility, and establishing new climbing.
Speakers:
-Ty Tyler, Stewardship Director, Access Fund
-Meagan Evans, Executive Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-Holly Odell, Community Outreach Coordinator, Lookout Mountain Conservancy
Castle Rock:
Castle Rock proves the power of relationship building with private landowners. Attendees heard more about how climbers engaged with the private landowner to secure access at Castle Rock. Topics included acquisitions, leases, and raptor management.
Speakers:
-Andrea Hassler, Stewardship Manager, Access Fund
-Caleb Timmerman, Marketing & Outreach Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-Rick Huffines, Executive Director, Tennessee River Gorge Trust
-Eliot Berz, Director of Conservation and Access, Tennessee River Gorge Trust
Denny Cove:
Denny Cove:
Access Fund and SCC partnered with state-level agencies and land trusts to protect Denny Cove, purchasing the property and then transferring it to Cumberland State Park for permanent ownership and management. Topics included acquisition, stewardship/buildout, partnerships, state level policy, establishing new climbing, working with land trusts, and data collection/GIS.
Speakers:
-Zachary Lesch-Huie, Vice President of Programs and Acquisitions, Access Fund
-Matthew Gant, Co-Chair of Fixed Anchor Committee, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
-George Shinn, Park Manager 2, South Cumberland State Park
This event was proudly planned in
partnership with:
Access Fund is a nonprofit advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment.