Ep58: Daniel Dunn & Meagan Evans: New boulder fields, climbing economics, and Tennessee conservation

The Climbing Advocate

This month’s episode features two rockstars out of the Southeast. Meagan Evans, Executive Director of the Southeast Climbers Coalition (SCC) and Daniel Dunn, Access Fund’s Southeast Regional Manager. Together they have worked to steward and conserve some of the region’s most cherished climbing landscapes. Most recently, the SCC protected a 58-acre boulderfield in northern Alabama known as The Citadel Boulders—an area that the SCC has been working to protect for nearly 20 years. Now the SCC, along with other major partners, are focusing their efforts on how climbing can contribute to broader conservation efforts in the Southeast. From Tennessee to Georgia and Alabama, the Southeastern U.S. is home to some of the most impressive and expansive climbing resources in the country. Within that area, the SCC sees thousands of annual climber visits resulting in a remarkable economic impact for the region. Climbers bring in millions of dollars in spending, supporting thousands of jobs. We wrap up the episode exploring some of these economic contributions and how climbing will play a big role in future conservation efforts. 4:46- Meg’s intro 9:26- Daniel’s intro 13:18- The Citadel acquisition 20:46- The early days of the Citadel boulders 24:08- Using strategic messaging to communicate about threatened areas 33:13- Citadel size and characteristics 36:36- Stewardship and infrastructure at the Citadel 39:49 Alabama’s Recreational Use Statute 47:16- Categories of land protection 55:15- Climbing economics and the future of conservation in the southeast 1:03:20- Accelerating climbing access in Tennessee Southeastern Climbers Coalition - https://www.seclimbers.org SCC’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seclimbers/ Citadel Secured! - https://www.accessfund.org/latest-news/victory-iconic-southeast-bouldering-area-secured Citadel Boulders - https://www.seclimbers.org/project/the_citadel_boulders/ Tennessee Economic Impact Study - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RJKqRlzX29oYP1aPusRjP5BGdwcd7MWT/view?usp=sharing Tennessee Access Accelerator Report - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dfuvshG9GZrVliDEdRNkKUB8Pgd1L6UY/view?usp=sharing Access Fund's Acquisition History - https://www.accessfund.org/capabilities/acquisition-history Access Fund's Land Holdings & Conservation Easements - https://www.accessfund.org/capabilities/land-holdings