The Access Fund recently announced the recipients of its Climbing Preservation Grants cycles for 2000. Climbing Preservation Grants provide financial assistance for projects that preserve or enhance climbing opportunities and conserve the climbing environment. Nearly $150,000 will be distributed to public agencies, climber organizations and institutions this year to fund 32 separate projects and initiatives throughout the United States.

"We are proud to support these important projects which will have a direct impact upon access and protecting the natural environment at climbing areas throughout the US," said Conservation Director Kath Pyke. "This program continues to grow thanks to the generosity of our members and corporate partners and the valuable work completed by past grant recipients."

The following grants were awarded this year:

$56,500 for the Access Fund National Trails Initiative 2000. Ten trail building projects were carried out in five states. Over 8,000 linear feet of trail were designed and built with assistance from local volunteers. Sites include: Tieton River, WA; Sinks Canyon, WY; Horsetooth Reservoir, CO; Wichita Mountains, OK; Summerville Lake WV.

$28,450 towards the acquisition and transfer of 120 acres at Quartz Mountain to Quartz Mountain State Park in partnership with Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition.

$10,000 to Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition and Daniel Boone National Forest for Level II archaeological survey and climbing management recommendations for Military Wall, KY.

$10,000 to the Southern Sierra Climbers Association for installation of a vault toilet at The Needles, in partnership with Sequoia National Forest, CA.

$7,500 to Rocky Mountain Field Institute for trail design, maintenance, inventory and restoration projects at Indian Creek, UT; Shelf Road, CO; El Rito, NM, and Mt Humboldt, CO.

$5,500 to Northern Arizona State University Masters Program student for work on the Values and Management Preferences of climbers at eight climbing sites, in partnership with Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, AZ.

$5,000 to the Nature Conservancy (which is coordinating funds) as a contribution to the BLM Indian Creek Corridor Recreation Plan due to be started in Fall 2000.

$5,000 to the Friends of Joshua Tree to assist the climbing organization's work on conservation and education projects with Joshua Tree National Park, CA.

$3,396 to the University of New Hampshire Outdoor Education Program for trails and impact mitigation efforts at Pawtuckaway State Park, NH.

$3,000 to Pinnacles National Monument for raptor monitoring at 17 sites in partnership with Friends of Pinnacle climbers organization.

$2,750 to Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition for a temporary toilet and trailhead education kiosk at Jacks Canyon, AZ, in partnership with Coconino National Forest.

$2,500 for vegetation surveys and management recommendations for climbing areas at the Black Hills Needles in Custer State Park and in partnership with Black Hills Climbers Coalition.

$2,200 to BLM Bishop Field Office and local Eastern Sierra climbing group, CRAG, for simple campground and temporary toilet facilities to serve climbing visitors to the Happy and Sad Boulders at the Volcanic Tablelands area, CA.

$2,000 to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for peregrine falcon monitoring program to gather information on nesting sites at Linville Gorge and three other sites in NC.

$1,855 to Boise Climbers Alliance for education outreach program to highlight seasonal climbing restrictions at Black Cliff, near Boise, ID, in partnership with Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

$1,650 to Northeast Charter School for signs and trail work at Main Wall, Macamaqua, PA, in partnership with the Earth Conservancy.

$1,632 to Northern California Access Fund Regional Coordinator for regional newsletter covering climbing access and education issues.

$800 to City of Boulder Mountain Parks and City of Boulder Open Space, CO, for education signs on seasonal wildlife closures to protect cliff-nesting raptors.