Access Fund Climber Stewards in Red River Gorge, Kentucky.
BOULDER, Colo. January 22, 2026 – Access Fund, the national advocacy organization for sustainable access and conservation of climbing landscapes, is expanding its Climber Steward Program to Washington’s Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Two seasonal field staff (April through October) will help address growing recreation pressures at some of the state’s most popular climbing hubs, Methow Valley and Wenatchee River Ranger Districts, by offering in-person climber education to support responsible recreation and resource management.
This program represents a strategic partnership between Access Fund, the U.S. Forest Service, and local climbing and conservation organizations dedicated to the long-term health of Washington’s most visited climbing destinations—including Mazama, Washington Pass, Enchantments and Icicle Creek. As visitation to these iconic areas continues to increase, the Washington Program helps bridge the gap left by Forest Service funding and staffing reductions.
“We could not be more excited about this partnership,” said Matt Perkins, President of the Washington Climbers Coalition. “I first climbed in Leavenworth in 1973 and at Washington Pass in 1981, so I know firsthand how special these areas are. This partnership couldn’t come at a better time. It is an important step for climbers, land managers, and everyone who cares about the future of our public lands.”
Throughout the climbing season, Climber Stewards will be stationed at key locations to host Climber Coffee and Crag Chats while educating climbers on best practices for responsible recreation, and local resources like botany, geology, and wildlife. The stewards will also conduct visitor and resource monitoring to inform current and future land management decisions.
“The Climber Steward Program is one of Access Fund’s most effective tools for protecting climbing areas while improving the visitor experience,” said Heather Thorne, Executive Director of Access Fund. “Since its launch, the program has engaged more than 50,000 climbers nationwide, helping to reduce impacts and strengthen relationships between climbers and land managers. Expanding to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is a natural next step for us. This iconic area deserves the same support and climber education that has proven successful in other high-use climbing destinations.”
The Washington Program joins four other Access Fund Climber Steward Programs across the country—Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Bears Ears National Monument, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and Red River Gorge. Last year, 10 Climber Stewards engaged with more than 16,500 climbers nationwide. Applications for the Washington positions will open early February, with hiring scheduled for mid-March. The program will launch mid-April with a collaborative program orientation with Forest Service staff.
For more information about Access Fund and Climber Steward Program, visit www.accessfund.org.
About Access Fund
Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Access Fund represents more than 8 million climbers nationwide in its work to protect and conserve the land, fight for sustainable access, and build a community of inspired advocates. Access Fund staff have more than 100 years of public policy and advocacy experience and have permanently protected nearly 4 million acres of public land across the country, establishing climbers as a powerful voice in the fight to protect public lands. For more information, visit accessfund.org.