Ep. 183: The Access Fund / Climbing Access and Stewardship

This week Clint and Dawson sit down with Zach Lesch-Hule and Danial Dunn. Zach is the Vice President of Programs & Acquisitions and Danial is the Southeast Regional Manager for the Access Fund. Zach oversees the strategic direction, leadership, and management of Access Fund’s programs, including the Climbing Conservation Loan Program and land trust operations, stewardship and conservation programs, local affiliate program, risk management and landowner support, and our network of regional directors. Zach is based in Chattanooga, TN and Danial works with local climbing organizations, advocates, land managers, and community partners to protect and expand climbing opportunities across the Southeast. He leads and supports stewardship, education, policy, land acquisition, and local support programs in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

We take a look at 2022 accomplishments for the Access Fund and talk about the recent National Climbing Advocacy Conference in Chattanooga and the Petzl Rebolt Trip that was also in Chattanooga on Nov 13-18, The project was a Weeklong event focused on replacing old, bad, unsafe bolts. 

We close out the show with information on the Access Fund end of year fundraising campaign with: Black Diamond who is matching donations to the Access Fund right now up to $80k. https://www.accessfund.org