Elam and Natalie  As climber stewards, Elam and Natalie host events like climber coffees, micro-trash cleanups, and educational info. for responsible climber stewardship. New River Gorge Climber Coffee (begins Memorial Day weekend):
 Elam: 1) Born and raised in Seattle, I started climbing almost 15 years ago on the beautiful granite of Index, WA and Squamish, BC. After moving out to Connecticut for college I climbed all over the Northeast and all the way down to Chattanooga, taking almost every break from school as an opportunity to travel and climb. During this time I honed my love from scary gear lines, heinous off-width, and unprotected friction slab. After coming to the New for the first time in 2020 I immediately fell in love, finding opportunities wherever I could to come back and climb. I have a pretty varied background ranging from outdoor education, to farming, to theater and event production. This variety of work has involved a lot of teaching and education in different fields, which has given me great opportunities to develop and practice a variety of different teaching styles and skills. Much of this work has involved connecting people to the environment, either through creating access for them or through environmental education. 2) I was really excited to see the Climber Steward role posted for the New this year because it combines a lot of things I love and am passionate about. Besides the obvious perk of getting to spend the whole season in one of my favorite crags, this role also promised the chance to get to meet and make a lot of great community, to help connect people with an environment I love, and break into the world of climbing stewardship and education work. 3) I am super stoked on educating folks about the breadth and length of human history in the New and thinking about the ways that people have and continue to interact with the human and non-human communities within the region. 4) I think I would have to go with Biohazard as my favorite climb at the New. That first double crack section is super fun and engaging and then the roof is really a great punctuation to the climb (though the last time I got on it it was covered in bird poop that likely presented a literal biohazard and made it grippingly slick). 5) My favorite crag snack is a hard choice between some sour gummy candy and a good sandwich, preferably something fresh like a caprese.  Natalie:
1) I grew up outside of Philly, but didn't start climbing until I moved to Chicago for my freshman year of college. After a year of gym climbing, I transferred schools and ended up in Connecticut, where I started climbing outside at New England crags like Rumney and Ragged Mountain. I fell in love with outdoor climbing and met Elam, who introduced me to trad climbing. After graduating college, we built out our van and headed out to Washington state, stopping in the New for my first time along the way. While I loved climbing out West at Index and Squamish, I always looked forward to our cross-country trips when we would get a chance to stop in the New. My passion for building community and my background in education, farming, and visual arts, have helped me feel right at home in the New. Like Elam, most of my work has revolved around education--from teaching practical classes on farming, to academic philosophy courses, to horseback riding lessons whenever back home in PA. 2) The Climber Steward Program has in many ways the perfect combination of priorities for me: education, stewardship, outdoor recreation, and community. I always wanted to be able to spend more time in the New after the small introductions to the community and the climbing that I got every time I'd previously visited, and I am so grateful to have gotten this chance to. After a month in this role so far, I can pretty confidently say it's the best job I've ever had and one of my favorite places I've ever lived. 3) I love educating climbers about the local flora and fauna at the New and the impacts climbing has on it. I really enjoy helping people identify a really cool snake or bug that they encountered or teaching people about how food scraps left at the base of the crag threaten Allegheny woodrat populations and watching them connect the dots between their presence in a place and its impacts on the other inhabitants there. 4) My favorite climb at the New literally changes week-to-week with whatever I'm stoked on at the moment (right now I'm stoked on finger cracks after having a blast on Burning Calves). Come find me at Climber Coffee and ask me what I'm stoked on that week! 5) Definitely a gluten free Yumbel cookie.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2024 Contact: Mitch Lehman Office of Economic Development and Outdoor Recreation, City of Beckley, West Virginia Email: [email protected] Beckley Celebrates Completion of the Outdoors Economic Action Plan and Adoption of Basecamp Beckley Brand Beckley, WV—The City of Beckley proudly announces the completion of the Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan, an ambitious initiative designed to position Beckley as a premier destination for outdoor recreation. Central to this vision is bringing new outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, waterfall viewing, and more into the City to bolster community vibrancy, well-being, and business activity. The new Basecamp Beckley brand, helps position the city as the basecamp for adventurers exploring the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and other attractions within southern WV. Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan The Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan is a comprehensive roadmap for leveraging the city’s natural assets to create a thriving outdoor recreation economy. Key objectives include: ● Infrastructure Development: Enhancing trails, parks, and recreational facilities to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. ● Community Engagement: Fostering a culture of outdoor activity through local events, programs, and partnerships. ● Economic Growth: Stimulating local businesses and attracting new enterprises related to outdoor recreation. ● Sustainability: Promoting sustainable practices that protect and preserve the natural environment. The action plan was developed through extensive collaboration with community members, local businesses, and stakeholders and guidance from national resources such as the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Rural Economies Toolkit and the Destination By Design firm. “The $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy sits at the core of resilient rural economies, healthy communities, and vibrant main streets,” said Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs at Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). “In our years of research, few communities have stood out like Beckley, West Virginia for its vision and fearless local leadership to integrate outdoor recreation at the core of the community’s future—we consistently highlight Beckley’s approach to other communities across the country. That’s why we’re so excited to see this plan come to life with the support of the Beckley City Council. ORR and our members stand ready to support the implementation of the Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan and applaud the dedicated leaders who collaborated to reach this point.” It represents a shared vision for Beckley's future, rooted in the belief that outdoor recreation can be a powerful driver of economic and community revitalization. Local entrepreneur Jeff Webb recently started a new bike shop to take advantage of what the Beckley Outdoors initiative will bring to the City. “Trails Edge Cycles was born from the inspiration of the Beckley Outdoors initiative and to bring a top-notch bike shop to the Beckley community” ~ Jeff Webb, owner of Trails Edge Cycles New Brand and Strategic Vision Basecamp Beckley is more than just a brand; it represents Beckley's commitment to harnessing its natural beauty and vibrant community spirit as the hub in Southern WV. The new brand aims to highlight Beckley’s unique position as the ideal location to book lodging and a starting point for exploring the nearby New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and other destinations such as Winterplace, State Parks, Hatfield and McCoy Trails, and more. “We are thrilled to utilize Basecamp Beckley and Beckley Outdoors as part of our comprehensive strategy to boost local tourism and economic growth,” said Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Michelle Rotellini. “This initiative will serve as a beacon, drawing residents, new businesses, and visitors to our city and making Beckley the hub for all adventures.” The IMBA New River Gorge Ride Center Initiative Beckley Outdoors is excited about its inclusion in the New River Gorge Ride Center Initiative. The initiative, a USDA Rural Partners Network Signature Project facilitated by the WVU Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, will develop a world-class network of mountain biking trails and facilities that cater to all skill levels and make Beckley a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It complements the New River Gorge's scenic beauty, history, climbing, and whitewater by offering an unmatched outdoor experience that is a new draw to the region. “By assisting in developing the New River Gorge Ride Center, we aim to provide a premier biking experience that will attract new residents, visitors, students, and others from across the nation and beyond,” said Mitch Lehman, Director of Outdoor Economic Development. “This is a key step in our broader strategy to elevate Beckley’s profile as a premier place to live, work, attend college, and play in an outdoor destination.” Get Involved We invite you to: ● Attend upcoming public events and presentations to learn more about the Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan. ● Follow the plan’s progress on social media and the Beckley Outdoors website at www.beckleyoutdoors.com. ● Provide feedback and get involved in the implementation efforts. ● Join the new Beckley Outdoor Community Organization to stay engaged and contribute to making Beckley a premier outdoor recreation destination. Beckley has completed the Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan, a strategic initiative to establish the city as a premier hub for outdoor recreation. This plan introduces new opportunities for hiking, biking, waterfall viewing, and more, enhancing community vibrancy, well-being, and economic activity. The new Basecamp Beckley brand underscores Beckley’s role as the starting point for adventurers seeking to live amongst and visit the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and other attractions throughout southern West Virginia. For more information about the Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan, please visit www.beckleyoutdoors.com or contact Beckley City Hall. |
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