The Access Fund, the national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment, is excited to announce that Backcountry.com is supporting the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team in 2012. The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team employs two, full-time conservation/trail building experts who travel the country in a new 2011 Jeep Patriot to help maintain climbing areas throughout the United States. The team works with local climbers to address conservation needs and provides training on planning and stewardship best practices. This year, the team will visit over 50 crags across the U.S.

“We’re honored to support the important work of the Access Fund,” said Jill Layfield, CEO of Backcountry.com. “We understand our obligation as an outdoor retailer to protect the places where our customers and employees play. The Access Fund does an exceptional job of engaging the public and building community support through their work. We’re proud to partner with them on this conservation initiative that will lead to healthier climbing areas for everyone.” The majority of Backcountry’s corporate charitable giving budget goes to organizations whose missions are to promote environmental stewardship and protect access and responsible recreation in North America’s wild places.

The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team, launched in the fall of 2011, extends the success of the Access Fund’s existing Adopt a Crag and TeamWorks stewardship programs that help local climbers around the country take care of the places they play. The program provides climbing communities and volunteers with the training and resources they need to address conservation issues before they become dire.

Look for the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team at a climbing area or event near you. You can follow the Conservation Team on www.facebook.com/conservationteam and find out their latest location by visiting www.accessfund.org/whereisct.