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There are dedicated and inspired local climbing organizations and volunteers all around the country who need funding for critical projects that preserve or enhance climbing access and opportunities for all of us. The Access Fund created the Climbing Preservation Grants Program in 1991 to assist in the fruition of these important projects. Each year, the Access Fund awards up to $40,000 to local climbing communities with worthy projects that preserve or enhance climbing access. Now, for the first time, you have the opportunity to rate grant projects before they are awarded, and help the Access Fund decide which projects to fund.

Twice a year, the Access Fund will send out an email notification with a summary of each grant project and ask members to rate the proposals. The ratings will help the Access Fund determine which projects the climbing community considers most important and necessary to fund.

Below is a description of each grant proposal received for the 2nd round of 2011 grants.

1. Boulder Climbing Community — Startup and Structuring
The Boulder Climbing Community (BCC) kicked off in 2010 to connect and support the many climbers and local climbing organizations in the Boulder area. The BCC is working closely with land managers to steward local climbing areas such as Boulder Canyon and place wag bag dispensers at popular crags. This grant request will: assist the BCC in the process of becoming a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization; establish a more formal structure that transcends any one individual and maximizes involvement from community members; and improve BCC’s branding through the development of a new logo and other visible materials such as banners and signs.

2. CRAG-Vermont — Bolton Quarry Access Road Repair
CRAG-Vermont is currently fundraising to cover the cost of repairing the access road on their Bolton Quarry property after an unprecedented flood washed out the road in April and blocked off climbing access to the area. To prevent further damage to neighboring lands, CRAG-Vermont took immediate action in June to restore the road. CRAG-Vermont has successfully protected climbing access to six different crags in the Bolton area and this road provides access to three of these crags. Access Fund provided a small loan to cover the initial cost and jumpstart local fundraising efforts to rebuild their financial reserves for ongoing land management and stewardship. This grant request will go towards part of this fundraising goal.

3. Friends of Muir Valley — Muir Valley Parking Improvements/ Expansion
Friends of Muir Valley, an Access Fund LCO, is submitting this application to solve a serious climbing access challenge by improving and expanding parking at Muir Valley, which hosts over 20,000 visitor days each year and growing. Muir has had as many as 111 vehicles on busy days, and has had to turn away climbers, many of whom have come a great distance, and/or have been volunteers and supporters of Muir Valley. This project will expand and improve the current parking lot from 38 to 42 vehicles and will build an auxiliary parking lot for an additional 27 vehicles, accommodating oversized vehicles such as buses, RVs, etc. Much of the design and labor will be donated.

4. New Mexico CRAG — Diablo Canyon Restoration and Recreational Enhancement
New Mexico CRAG (NM-CRAG) and local climbers are assisting the BLM to enhance the recreational potential of the Buckman Area, including Diablo Canyon, a basalt climbing area outside Sante Fe, NM. In addition to restoring riparian and other important hydro-ecologic functions of the area, the BLM proposes to install parking, camping, trail infrastructure, and informative signage about climbing opportunities in Diablo Canyon. As climbing activity grows rapidly at Diablo Canyon, this is a great opportunity to show land managers that climbers are committed to the sustainable future of the climbing resource in Diablo Canyon.

5. Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition — Graining Fork Nature Preserve (Roadside) Restoration
Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition is working with the private owners of Graining Fork Nature Preserve near Torrent, KY to restore the property and address climber impacts. The owners temporarily closed the highly popular climbing area known as Roadside Crag located on the Preserve due to climber impacts and disrespect for rules. As a significant step towards the re-opening of this area, the Access Fund and the RRGCC will work together using volunteer labor to: implement trail improvements; stabilize base areas to address severe erosion; and install an informational kiosk at the trailhead and other trail signage.

6. Utah Open Lands — Castleton Tower Toilet Installation
Utah Open Lands (UOL) has been committed to the protection of the baselands at Castleton Tower since 1998 when the organization began its campaign to purchase the 221 acres from the threat of development. Since then, the climbing community has supported the acquisition and improvements required to protect this national climbing destination. Recognizing the increased use that open land necessarily receives as other favorite destinations are developed or closed off, the organization is searching for a solution to current waste management issues at the Castleton Tower Preserve Area. UOL hopes that continued stewardship will keep this area fee free and protected for future generations.

7.Yosemite Climbing Association — 2011 Yosemite Facelift
The Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA) plans to clean up as much trash as possible during the 5-day, 8th annual Yosemite Facelift. This will include trails, roadways, river corridors, campgrounds, lodging areas, and climbing areas. Last year alone, volunteers dedicated 17,000 hours to remove 172,000 lbs of trash. The 2011 Facelift will also feature special projects such as removal of abandoned infrastructure, non-native species removal, old dump site removal, and, new this year, climbing trail restoration. Education on Leave No Trace ethics and archaeology is an important component of the Facelift. This grant request will help YCA fund outreach and volunteer appreciation materials to encourage participants to come back next year and steward Yosemite Valley for years to come.