The Allied Climbers of San Diego (ACSD) have had many successes since forming in early 2007. We continue to grow each day, adding to membership, adding to past accomplishments, partnering with important stakeholders in the community, reaching out to assist other climbing organizations, and working to build and strengthen the local and regional climbing community.

Five of our more important milestones—some having national significance—are worth mentioning.

• ACSD formed to protect responsible access to outdoor climbing resources through empowering climbers. This was achieved by creating a membership-based advocacy organization that provides a voice to members who give back to the climbing community. Understanding the importance of networking to build community, ACSD partnered with the Access Fund by becoming an Access Fund Affiliated Local Climbing Organization.
   
• ACSD became a direct, local partner with the Federal Government’s two important land managing agencies responsible for oversight of San Diego’s most significant climbing resources. These partnerships were made possible by signing independent MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Cleveland National Forest (CNF) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office.
   
• ACSD recognized that use of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) as a rec-use zoning statute by Federal Agencies is inappropriate and successfully worked to overturn its use by the CNF through educating all parties involved that the MBTA does not provide land managing agencies legal authority to restrict recreation access to vacant habitat.
   
• ACSD then used the removal of the MBTA by the Forest Service as a rec-use statute to initiate a collaborative dialogue with numerous stakeholders to resolve access disputes on local Forest Service lands managed by the CNF. This collaboration was facilitated by the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and resulted in a win-win solution which achieved Raptor Management Protocols consistent with lead wildlife agency recommendations that uses joint-monitoring by climbers and agency wildlife biologists to establish seasonal buffer zones for nesting raptors.
   
• ACSD understood the importance of capitalizing on our achievements and launched initiatives with the CNF, BLM, City of San Diego, and City of Poway to have important climbing resources on public lands officially recognized. This is a long term goal which requires that both climbing trails and climbing crags receive designations and protections, listing them as valuable climbing recreation resources to be held in perpetuity for the public’s use—without threat of unreasonable restrictions.
   

These contributions are important. Together with other accomplishments achieved by bringing the climbing community together, ACSD is effectively changing the way climbing is perceived and managed. With increased involvement by climbers—by you—we can achieve even more.

All it takes to create change is a willingness to get involved. Numbers count when dealing with access issues. To add to our numbers—to make a difference—is as easy as signing up to receive the ACSD Monthly Newsletter and occasional e-blasts about important access issues.

To make your voice heard simply sign-up to become an E-Member at treasurer@alliedclimbers.org

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Upcoming Events:
 
ACSD Monthly Meeting
August 31, 7:00pm
 
Boulder and Brews
August 13
 
ACSD Annual Celebration
October 14, 5:30pm

Other Organizations
with Similar Interests:
 
Outdoor Outreach
 
Pro Peninsula
 
Access Fund
 
ASCA
 
Positive Adventures
 
San Diego River Park Foundation