activities · 22
what they do
direct service · 16
- Anchor and Bolt Replacement Climbing Route & Trail Safety UpgradesConducts bolt and anchor replacement on climbing routes using trained personnel, having replaced over 1,636 bolts since inception, with over 270 replaced in 2024 alone.
- Bolt and Anchor Replacement Climbing Route & Trail Safety UpgradesConducts bolt and anchor replacement on climbing routes in Southern Arizona, having replaced over 270 anchors or bolts in 2024 and over 1,636 bolts since inception, following established safety standards.
- Climber Education EventsProvides climber education in Southern Arizona through various events, including talks on climbing project preparation, big wall climbing, climbing injuries, volcano climbing, alpine climbing, Denali planning, cleaning anchors, and life-saving interventions for injured climbing partners.
- Climber Education ProgramsProvides climber education in Southern Arizona through various events, including hands-on presentations and talks by experienced climbers, with events attracting at least 30 attendees.
- Climber Education and WorkshopsProvides climber education in Southern Arizona through various events and presentations on topics such as climbing project preparation, big wall climbing, common climbing injuries, cleaning anchors, and Leave No Trace principles, and offers downloadable resources on best practices for climbing respectfully on indigenous lands.
- Climbing Area Infrastructure and Trail Maintenance Climbing Route & Trail Safety UpgradesUpgrades trails and landings at climbing areas, such as Crags Against Humanity in the Coronado National Forest, and organizes volunteers for litter cleanup and erosion control, including building check steps and stabilizing loose banks, at locations like Windy Point on Mt Lemmon.
- Climbing Infrastructure Projects Climbing Route & Trail Safety UpgradesInitiates and manages climbing infrastructure projects, such as upgrading trails and landings at the Crags Against Humanity climbing area in the Coronado National Forest, including signage and Leave No Trace wag bag stations. This includes securing grants and coordinating volunteer and professional crews for construction.
- Climbing Infrastructure ProjectsInitiated and secured funding for climbing infrastructure projects, including upgrades to trails and landings at the Crags Against Humanity climbing area on the Coronado National Forest.
- Climbing Route Maintenance and Safety Climbing Route & Trail Safety UpgradesConducts bolt and anchor replacement on climbing routes in Southern Arizona using trained personnel following established safety standards, having replaced over 1,636 bolts since inception and over 270 in 2024.
- Community Engagement and CommunicationProduces and distributes monthly newsletters (CASA CliffNotes) to subscribers via MailChimp, writes informational and promotional emails for events and announcements, prints and distributes flyers for events, and organizes community events such as photo contests and raffles.
- Graffiti Removal Program Community Litter and Waste CleanupsOperates a graffiti removal program, having removed over 1,200 square feet of graffiti from natural rock surfaces since September 2015.
- Graffiti Removal Program Community Litter and Waste CleanupsOperates a graffiti removal program, having removed over 1,200 square feet of graffiti from natural rock surfaces in the Windy Point area, Gordon Hirabayashi area, and other rock along Catalina Highway since September 2015.
- Graffiti Removal Program Community Litter and Waste CleanupsOperates a graffiti removal program, having removed over 1,200 square feet of graffiti from natural rock surfaces in areas like Windy Point and Gordon Hirabayashi since September 2015.
- Land Stewardship InitiativesSupports land stewardship initiatives, including organizing volunteers for litter cleanup and erosion control at climbing areas like Windy Point on Mt Lemmon.
- Land Stewardship and Cleanup EventsOrganizes volunteers for litter cleanup and erosion control, including building check steps and stabilizing loose banks, at climbing areas like Windy Point on Mt Lemmon, through "Adopt a Crag" events.
- Leave No Trace and Indigenous Land Best Practices EducationCo-hosts presentations on the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace and provides downloadable resources on best practices for climbing respectfully on indigenous lands.
advocacy · 3
- Advocacy for Wildlife-Sensitive Climbing ClosuresWorks with land managers on wildlife-sensitive climbing closures at Summit Crags, upper mountain, and Pusch Ridge to protect peregrine falcons, burrowing owls, and desert bighorn sheep while maintaining climbing access.
- Wildlife AdvocacyWorks with land managers on wildlife-sensitive climbing closures to protect local wildlife while maintaining climbing access, focusing on species such as peregrine falcons and desert bighorn sheep.
- Wildlife-Sensitive Climbing Access AdvocacyWorks with land managers on wildlife-sensitive climbing closures at locations like Summit Crags and Pusch Ridge to protect species such as peregrine falcons, burrowing owls, and desert bighorn sheep while maintaining climbing access.
capacity building · 3
- Volunteer Coordination and Capacity Building Volunteer Mobilization & ManagementCoordinates volunteers and manages organizational operations, including finances and taxes, to support climber education and community engagement.
- Volunteer Coordination and Organizational Management Volunteer Mobilization & ManagementCoordinates volunteers, supports climber education, and manages organizational operations including finances and taxes, while also building strong relationships with entities like the Forest Service to facilitate project approvals.
- Volunteer Coordination and Organizational Management Volunteer Mobilization & ManagementCoordinates volunteers, supports climber education, and manages organizational operations including finances and taxes, while also building strong relationships with the Forest Service to facilitate project approvals.
strategies · 16
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Adherence to best practices for fixed anchor management af_aac_best_practicesThe organization ensures the safety and longevity of climbing routes by strictly following the Access Fund / American Alpine Club best practices for fixed anchor management during all bolt replacement projects, utilizing a dedicated anchor replacement team.
- Area Adoption Programs for Resource Stewardship area_adoption_stewardshipThe organization commits to stewarding and protecting climbing resources from user impact through the implementation of area adoption programs.
- Area adoption programs for resource protection area_adoption_programThe organization commits to stewarding and protecting climbing resources from user impact through area adoption programs, fostering a sense of responsibility and direct engagement in conservation.
- Building partnerships with land managers for access and support land_manager_partnershipsThe organization actively builds lasting partnerships with land managers to protect and advance climbing access, aiming to legitimize climbing on Forest Lands and encourage direct support from the Forest Service for access improvements.
- Climber Education and Knowledge Sharing climber_educationThe organization provides educational talks and presentations to offer tips and share knowledge on various aspects of climbing, including project preparation, big wall climbing skills, planning, strategy, and gear, to enhance climber proficiency and safety.
- Climber Education and Skill Development climber_educationThe organization provides educational talks and presentations to offer tips and share knowledge on various aspects of climbing, including project preparation, big wall climbing skills, planning, strategy, and gear, thereby enhancing climber experience and safety.
- Climber education and skill sharing climber_educationThe organization provides educational talks and presentations to share knowledge and tips on various climbing aspects, including project preparation, big wall climbing skills, planning, strategy, and gear, to enhance climber experience and safety.
- Fixed Anchor Management and Replacement fixed_anchor_managementThe organization ensures climbing route safety by following best practices for fixed anchor management, including bolt replacement projects, as outlined by the Access Fund and American Alpine Club, and by utilizing a dedicated anchor replacement team.
- Fixed Anchor Management and Replacement fixed_anchor_managementThe organization ensures climbing route safety through a dedicated anchor replacement team that follows best practices established by the Access Fund and American Alpine Club for fixed anchor management during bolt replacement projects.
- Infrastructure Projects for Access, Safety, and Resource Protection climbing_infrastructure_developmentThe organization undertakes climbing infrastructure projects with the aim of improving and securing access, enhancing safety for climbers and rescuers, mitigating erosion, protecting natural resources, and strengthening relationships with land managers. Project sites are strategically selected based on community and land manager input, prioritizing visible, heavily used areas with good accessibility and without environmental or archaeological concerns.
- Infrastructure Projects for Access, Safety, and Resource Protection climbing_infrastructure_developmentThe organization undertakes climbing infrastructure projects to improve and secure access to climbing areas, enhance safety for climbers and rescuers, mitigate erosion, protect natural resources, and improve the overall climber experience. These projects also aim to strengthen relationships with land managers and legitimize climbing on public lands.
- Partnership and Advocacy with Land Managers land_manager_partnershipThe organization builds lasting partnerships with land managers to protect and advance climbing access, legitimize climbing on public lands, and encourage direct support for climbing access improvements.
- Partnerships with Land Managers for Access and Protection land_manager_partnershipsThe organization builds lasting partnerships with land managers to protect and advance climbing access, and to steward and protect climbing resources from user impact through area adoption programs.
- Strategic climbing infrastructure projects for safety and resource protection climbing_infrastructure_developmentThe organization undertakes climbing infrastructure projects with the multi-faceted goal of improving and securing access, enhancing safety for climbers and rescuers, mitigating erosion, protecting natural resources, and strengthening relationships with land managers. Project sites are strategically selected based on community and Forest Service input, prioritizing visible, heavily used crags with good accessibility and without sensitive concerns.
- Volunteer-driven Stewardship and Maintenance volunteer_engagementThe organization leverages a dedicated volunteer base, including a leadership team and project-specific volunteers, to implement a wide range of initiatives. This includes trail adjustments, crag maintenance, graffiti removal, anchor replacement, event planning, community building, land stewardship, climber education, and safety, thereby fostering community engagement and efficient resource management.
- Volunteer-led stewardship and project implementation volunteer_engagementThe organization leverages a dedicated volunteer base, including a leadership team of passionate climbers, to execute a wide range of initiatives. This includes trail adjustments, crag maintenance, graffiti removal, anchor replacement, land stewardship, and educational activities, ensuring community involvement and efficient resource management.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Adopt a Crag
Volunteer events for trail work, clean-up, and maintenance at climbing areas.
CASA Photo Contest
An annual photo contest celebrating climbing and the outdoor community in Southern Arizona, with categories for "Climbing Community" and "Southern Arizona Climbing."
Crags Against Humanity Project
A climbing infrastructure project on the Coronado National Forest to upgrade trails and landings, improve access and safety, mitigate erosion, and protect natural resources.
Education Events
Hosts events and presentations on topics relevant to climbing, including injury prevention, mountaineering, climbing techniques, and outdoor ethics.
Leave No Trace (LNT) Wag Bag Stations
Installation and maintenance of wag bag stations to promote Leave No Trace principles and manage waste at climbing sites.
relationships · 15
who they work with
- AZWCC Partner — Co-presented an event on the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace.
- Access Fund Funder — Supports graffiti removal work with grants.
- Access Fund Partner — Awarded a Climbing Advocate Awardee to a CASA member.
- American Alpine Club Funder — Supports graffiti removal work with grants.
- CASA Partner — Partnering organization listed on the website
- CASA A-Team Partner — Collaborates on anchor and bolt replacement for climbing routes.
- Coronado National Forest Partner — Collaborates on climbing infrastructure projects
- Coronado National Forest Partner — Collaborates on projects identified in the Santa Catalina Trail Plan, including trail adjustments and crag maintenance.
- Coronado National Forest Partner — Partnered on a climbing infrastructure project at Crags Against Humanity, which the Forest manages.
- Coronado National Forest Partner — Partnered on the Crags Against Humanity infrastructure project.
- Forest Service Government — Provides approval and supervision for graffiti removal work.
- Granite Mountain Guides Partner — Presented the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace at an event co-hosted by CASA.
- Nick “The Guy With The Calves” Asbury Partner — Matched $500 in funding for anchor replacement efforts
- Rocks & Ropes Partner — Matched $1000 in funding for anchor replacement efforts
- Tucson Hop Shop Partner — Venue for various education events.