In its latest campaign to protect climbing areas, Access Fund is urging climbers to donate money for sustainable access to crags.
If you donate to support climbing access right now, Black Diamond will make sure your money goes twice as far.
This week, the iconic climbing company pledged to match up to $80,000 in donations to Access Fund. For those unfamiliar with the nonprofit, Access Fund exists to ensure climbing areas stay open and available.
Black Diamond will match gifts made at the Access Fund website from Dec. 5 to 19. In a news release, a senior manager at the Utah-based gear manufacturer said the nonprofit’s work is “essential” to American climbing.
“Black Diamond is a proud supporter of this work, and we will happily match the funds donated by our climbing community toward this effort,” Equipment Partnership & Event Manager Jess Powell said.
“We are confident that if we work together, we can help sustain our climbing resources, and access to them, for future generations.”
An Ongoing Fight for Access
So why does Access Fund matter? Because public lands in America can be taken back as easily as they were given.
That became clear during the fight over Bears Ears National Monument. In 2017, former President Donald Trump’s administration tried to eliminate the area’s protections almost entirely. Access Fund joined Patagonia and other groups to sue the administration over that decision. President Joe Biden ultimately restored the park’s boundaries.
It’s just one example of how “public lands are under constant threat,” Access Fund wrote in a release, leaving climbing areas caught “in the crossfire.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Black Diamond to invite more climbers into the fight to protect and conserve climbing areas and ensure sustainable and equitable access for generations to come,” Access Fund Executive Director Chris Winter said.
“Stepping up to big challenges is what climbers do, and what we must do if we’re going to protect the outdoor climbing experience and the lands we love.”
Donations made during Black Diamond’s matching campaign will go toward the following efforts:
- Buying threatened climbing areas to protect them from development
- Passing new laws that protect sustainable and equitable climbing access
- Working with lawmakers to protect public lands and advance climate action
- Putting Conservation Teams in the field to restore more climbing areas
- Rallying America’s 8 million climbers to join the fight
Learn more about Access Fund’s mission on the group’s website.
