2012/2013 OAC “Sends”
- Helping Land Managers understand. OAC volunteers met with Land Managers from Ontario Parks, National Parks, Conservation Authorities, National Parks and more during the 2012/2013 season. We shared with them climbing management best practices and worked to secure climbing access.
- Helping Climbers Understand. OAC volunteers organized and hosted the first OAC “Discussion Series” aimed to educate climbers about access issues by bringing them together to with Land Managers to learn and share. Communicated Kelso temporary closure and worked towards shortening service disruption. Mount Nemo access situation mitigation until the OAC and CH can roll out an anchor management plan.
- Helping with Sustainability. Continuation of the OAC commitment to a multi-year plan to attempt to eliminate the invasive species Garlic Mustard that threatens the forests of Conservation Halton. OAC volunteers participated in the FreeSpirit Tours “Clean & Climb” at Metcalfe to help protect from user impact. McMaster Climbing Club initiated a successful clean up event at Kelso with direction from the OAC.
- Building on Success. The formal management plan established for Niagara Glen expanded with Visitor Centre Interpretive Display and upcoming Site Host Program. Halfway Log Dump site host program ran successfully again in 2012.
- Sharing our Findings. The third OAC Climbers survey provided us with important information about the economic impact by region. This data was invaluable for gaining support from regional tourism organizations and businesses that in turn support climbing in their community.
- Finding Solutions. The OAC continued working to building sustainable climbing management solutions for at risk areas such as Kolapore (Swamp), Devil’s Glen and Lion’s Head while working to maintain access to areas such as Mount Nemo, Niagara Glen, and Halfway Log Dump.
- Promoting Access. OAC “Ontario Crags” calendar and T-shirt sales generated funds, promoted climbing and exposed climbers to the Ontario Alliance of Climbers and regional access concerns. Continued OAC presence through sign-up and information tables at TDB, UBS, BMFF, Reel Rock, Life Exploring Stone, Will Gadd presentation, etc.
- Growing. As the need for solutions to access issues grows, the OAC membership, volunteer base and influence continues to grow. Thanks to everyone who has provided constructive and meaningful support in 2012/2013. We need your support more than ever this year!
2012/2013 OAC Goals
For the 2012 planning cycle the Ontario Alliance of Climbers laid out the following goals to drive us towards accomplishment of our mission statement.
Community Goals
Promotion of access goals and engagement with the climbing community.
Drive awareness, engagement and membership.
- Create and sell the 2013 OAC Calendar ✓
- Increase participation in the Halton Conservation “Garlic Mustard Pull” Event
- Host a community event which provides the Climbing Community and opportunity to hear Land Manager speak ✓
- Continue to expand the reach of the OAC Social Media presence ✓
- Participate in the Metcalfe “Clean and Climb” Event
- Engage with the Bruce Trail Conservancy ✓
- Attend Indoor Climbing Comps to raise awareness of the OAC ✓
- Establish “Community Climbing Days” at crags
- Re-establish the OAC Climber survey ✓
- Establish a regular news letter/blog to help keep climbers informed
- Establish a program for local businesses and climbers to support one another
- Increase relationships with other community based organizations
Land Manager Goals
Secure and maintain environmentally sustainable climbing access with Ontario Land Managers.
Drive awareness, engagement and partnership
- Continue to update the “Crag Status” document ✓
- Facilitate the establishment of a community user group for Kolopore Uplands, Metcalfe, Devil’s Glen
- Continue working with MNR on establishment of climbing policy ✓
- Investigate establishment of compostable/temporary washroom facilities at climbing areas ✓
- Take Land Managers climbing
- Establish regular meetings with all land managers
- Work with Halton to manage and complete projects that support improved sustainable climbing access ✓
- Devils Glen – work toward establishment of formal access to the area and work to improve climber experience and self management (e.g parking, trails, etc)
- Work with NPC to manage and complete projects that support improved sustainable bouldering access ✓
- Examine possibility of establishing precedent of cliff development partnership with land mgr from “end to end”
- Formally open ice climbing access in Bancroft.
2011/2012 OAC Goals
Community Goals
Promotion of access goals and engagement with the climbing community.
Drive awareness, engagement and membership.
- Expand participation in key events within the outdoor land/recreation management landscape
- Continue community events (climbing competitions, charity fundraisers, etc) ✓
- Increase volunteer events frequency and climber participation in support of land management partnerships
- Design OAC promotional posters for print and distribution to climbing gyms and other key businesses ✓
- Establish updated OAC website as the single source for access knowledge within OAC territory ✓
- Hold the Annual General Meeting of the OAC for 2011/2012 ✓
- Explore working together with the ACC, Friends of the Glen, outlying access organizations etc. to support mutual organizational goals ✓
- Drive increased membership ✓
- Go live with online enrolment for OAC membership through OAC website ✓
- Continue to expand online presence of the OAC through OAC managed social media and web promotion ✓
- Establish a database of volunteers and skill sets to be leveraged from the community ✓
- Bi-Monthly news letter to members with more details them the web posts
- Add FAQ page to OAC website to address common concerns and questions ✓
- Addition educational download page to website to serve as a repository for climbing management related materials
- Promotion of Old Baldy, Halfway Log Dump, and Halton region permits ✓
Access Goals
Secure and maintain environmentally sustainable climbing access with Ontario Land Managers.
Drive awareness, engagement and partnership
- Continue work on Old baldy retro bolting facilitation to improve climber safety ✓
- Update crag access guide with all known cliffs ✓
- Establish formal access agreement to Niagara Glen with Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) ✓
- Enact Niagara Glen visitor centre presence ✓
- Update HWLD guidebook, continue Site Host program and continue working closely with Bruce Peninsula National Park ✓
- Increased interaction with Ministry of Natural Resource regarding climbing on MNR lands ✓
- Re-instate Earth Day at Halton and commit to multi-year plan for invasive species removal ✓
- Continue efforts with GSCA to re-open Eugenia Falls for rock climbing
- Continue efforts to with GSCA and HydroOne to open Eugenia Falls to ice climbing.
- Continue efforts to establish Mt. Nemo and Kelso anchor management plan ✓
- Continue work with Ontario Provincial Parks to establish broader management planning for climbing ✓
- Continue general efforts on the Bruce Peninsula to legitimize climbing as a self powered recreation activity ✓
- Continue to address Ice climbing access issues as they arise ✓
- Work towards establishing a formal climbing management plan for Devil’s Glen ✓