The American Alpine Club, which was founded in 1902 and run for many years as an organization catering mostly to alpinists, has been making a lot of changes lately in an attempt to broaden their appeal to the greater climbing community. To aid in achieving that goal they’ve come up with what they’re calling the AAC Five Year Strategic Plan with a stated mission of providing, “knowledge and inspiration, conservation and advocacy, and logistical support for the climbing community”.
The AAC’s Five Year Strategic Plan In Pictures & Video
The AAC put together this series of slides to help outline the plan:
And here AAC Executive Phil Powers, who was badly injured last month in a fall in Colorado’s Clear Creek Canyon, explains more about their mission:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/v/klkduuguvbs?hl=en&fs=1&w=540]
New $25k Cornerstone Conservation Grant Program
One of the key items listed in the above slides was the Cornerstone Conservation Grant program which the AAC has just launched. The program will be giving out $25,000 in grants this year (in amounts ranging from $1k to $15k) to be put toward local projects like fixed anchor maintenance, trail projects and other human impact issues like waste management and parking. More information can be found in the below press release as well as on the AAC’s website. Applications are due by August 15th.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
—American Alpine Club Launches New Conservation Grant Program—
GOLDEN, CO—The American Alpine Club is now accepting applications for the new Cornerstone Conservation Grant. The program provides $25,000 to individuals and communities that need essential infrastructure to improve, conserve, and protect their climbing resources for years to come.
The Cornerstone Conservation Grant has grown out of a decade of American Alpine Club underwriting and volunteerism. The AAC has established new trails and human-waste management policies at Utah’s Castleton Tower and Indian Creek climbing areas, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park’s Lumpy Ridge, and Alaska’s Denali National Park.
This year, $25,000 will go toward multiple local projects that can include, but are not limited to: fixed anchor improvement, new trails, human-waste management solutions, parking and signage. As part of the infrastructure, funds may also be used to teach crag conservation and sustainability techniques. Applicants may be individual climbers on behalf of a local climbing organization, regional club, public agency, AAC Section, climbing group, or not-for-profit (501 (C)(3)) organization. Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the size and scope of project.
The most successful proposals will have substantial support from their local climbing community, show use of best practices, demonstrate a sustainability plan, and have measurable and achievable goals. Projects require a landowner partner and must show completion within 18 months. This grant does not fund expedition travel, project overhead, salaries, land purchase, general maintenance, or research. Only projects in the United States will be considered. All proposals must be endorsed by a local AAC Section.
Proposals must be submitted by August 15, 2011. Applicants will be advised on or before September 15, 2011. Submission instructions are available at: http://www.americanalpineclub.org/cornerstone
About the AAC:
The American Alpine Club is a 501-c(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting American endeavors in mountain environments around the world. The AAC supports alpinists, rock climbers, ice climbers, boulderers, and mountaineers who are passionate about climbing, its community, its history, and conservation of the places we climb.
Together, through this collective passion and the AAC’s programs, we inspire, create, partner, steward, and unite to have a stronger voice and lasting impact for future generations of climbers.
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