Passing The Torch

SCC staff is passing the torch to the new generation of climbing stewards. As a coalition of climbers, our organization has gone through numerous seasons of evolution.Through every transition one thing remains constant: the mission. Preserving access to outdoor climbing in the southeast for present and future generations is the rallying cry for climbers across state lines, preferred disciplines and age gaps. Over the decades, every climber comes to the realization that climbing is not free. It requires work, stewardship, money, relationship building, and the efforts of many volunteers to keep the climbing conservation dream alive and strong.

As we welcome new staff members Ben Lowe – Executive Director and Kara Matassino – Stewardship Director, it is with a heavy heart that we prepare to say goodbye to Kate Hanes and Caleb Timmerman. Kate and Caleb joined the team four years ago and have contributed significantly to the evolution of the organization. Throughout their time they have worked on numerous projects from the acquisition of Woodcock to the explosive growth of Trail Daze of Summer. These two have helped the SCC expand its impact and member base.

“When I first started climbing 15 years ago, I had no idea that so much work went into the stewardship and protection of climbing. Thanks to amazing mentors and my experience working behind the scenes as a climbing advocate with SCC, I’ve learned that as our sport grows it is the responsibility of every climber to step up and play a part in protecting the crags we love.”
– Caleb Timmerman

As the SCC prepares for this transition of leadership, the staff has been working hard to set up the next generation of climbing stewards for success. Passing the torch is not an easy task. There is institutional knowledge to download, key relationships to hand off, best practices to explain, and fundraising strategies to pass on. All of these elements combined are what makes for a rock-star climbing non-profit and what has made the Southeastern Climbers Coalition such a powerhouse for good in our region for decades.

“This is a pivotal time for the SCC. We need to make sure that we continue the great work that Kate, Caleb, Meg and all the other legends of the SCC have done to get us where we are today. While I’m certainly stepping into big shoes, I’m prepared to carry on the legacy of conservation that the SCC team and community has built for the past 30 years.”
– Ben Lowe

It is the highest priority of the new SCC staff, the SCC Board of Directors, and SCC Committees that the mission of climbing conservation continues the trajectory of growth we have been lucky enough to experience in recent years. Trail Daze of Summer is right around the corner and Kara has already been doing a fantastic job connecting with local area reps at climbing areas throughout the south to prepare for the stacked calendar of trail days. We are also in a great pace to pay off the Citadel loan, so Ben and Caleb have been digging into the fundraising potential of the SCC to brainstorm exciting events and new partnerships. Kate has served as both Stewardship Director and Interim Executive Director during her time with SCC. She will be continuing to serve on the SCC team for the next few months to ensure a solid transfer of all projects to the new SCC team.

“We’re doing a lot of things really well. Our team and the volunteer community of the SCC is stronger than ever and only continues to grow. From trail building to running events, our collective coalition experience has invested a lot of effort and brought us to a place we never thought was possible when we first joined the team years ago. If we can keep the momentum up and keep growing, our coalition can continue accomplishing so much.”
– Kate Hanes

The legacy of climbing access here in the southeast is built on an incredible foundation thanks to so many amazing individuals who have responded to the call of conservation when the need was greatest. Our community has cultivated a culture around caring for our climbing areas thanks to each generation passing on the values of stewardship and prioritizing relationships with your fellow climbers and land managers. From day one of the Southeastern Climbers Coalitions founding the words of Brad McLeod have guided our work. “Find a mentor, find out how to get things done, don’t reinvent the wheel.”

“One of my priorities as I join the SCC team is capturing as much of our history as possible. Knowledge from the people who have been part of the climbing scene, the protection of climbing areas and the stewardship of important relationships are all vital to capture so we can continue to build on the work of the climbing stewards that have come before us.”
– Kara Matassino

One recurring theme that continues to come up in our team discussions is that the SCC staff is not the SCC. It’s our members, volunteers, board members, donors and partners – all of you. It’s all of us coming together to protect access for future generations. Our shared love for the world’s best sandstone and the incredible diversity of top tier climbing brings us all together and inspires us to protect the boulders and cliffs that captivate our adventurous spirit. One of the most critical components of the sustainability of the SCC is the power of local volunteers. SCC empowers the boots on the ground, passes on the keys to the kingdom, and trusts folks to help keep the mission work going strong. With over 50 climbing areas to steward, it takes the whole community working together to preserve access for the climbers who will come after us.

As the SCC begins this new chapter, we invite you to keep up the momentum. Continue to rally together for the protection of our climbing areas. Stay on the trajectory of access wins and continued stewardship of the climbing areas we have the privilege to recreate on. The need for stewards and advocates for conservation has never been greater. Let’s continue to build on the success of our coalition and keep working together to be an organization for the betterment of the entire climbing community.

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