Skaha Bluffs Access

March 13, 2008

Hugh Dunlop has once again come to our aid and agreed to open the Braesyde Farms parking lot for the 2008 climbing season.

Long-term access to Skaha Bluffs is virtually assured, thanks to The Land Conservancy’s purchase of sublot 18, however the new access point will not be ready this year.

Climbers are asked not to park on Smythe Road, as negotiations for access to sublot 18 are continuing, as is work on the road into sublot 18.

Access to Skaha Bluffs will be via the same parking lot as last year, at the south end of Valleyview Road in Penticton.

The fee schedule for parking will also be the same as last year :

- $10 (including GST) per car containing up to 5 people.  If you show up after 2 PM, it only costs $6 (including GST).

- $20 + GST = $21 for vans & buses containing 6 to 15 people.

- $30 + GST = $31.50 for buses containing 16 or more people.

- $75 + GST = $78.75 for an annual pass.

 

LOOKING FOR A LAST MINUTE GIFT FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE ON YOUR LIST? GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME - SKAHA BLUFFS TIED UP IN A BIG RED BOW FOR CHRISTMAS?

PENTICTON, BC – TLC The Land Conservancy would love to have all fundraising aspects of the campaign to protect the Skaha Bluffs wrapped up in time for Christmas. Everything for the Fundraising Campaign has come together nicely. TLC urges everyone with a passion for the Bluffs, individuals and corporations a like, to make their final contribution to the campaign. Together we can celebrate this great Christmas present for both wildlife and climbers.

“This past weekend the conditions for the sale where removed with the sale closing set for January 15^th, 2008,” says Regional Manager of TLC’s Okanagan Office, Anne Armstrong. “Just image what a great gift it would be to have all the fundraising for the Bluffs Campaign tied up in a big red bow for Christmas?”

The final details on funds from government and foundations are now in place and TLC is set to secure the land forever for everyone. What remains is to raise the last $150,000 that TLC needs to complete the project. By buying the property, TLC and their partners will provide a permanent access route to one of Canada’s premier climbing destinations Skaha Bluffs and save rare endangered habitat.

“We are energized by this partnership with the BC Government, Mountain Equipment Co-op and other environmental foundations,” says TLC Executive Director, Bill Turner. “It is strong commitments from all of our partners as well as our donors that have seen this project succeed.”

Donations to the campaign have come from throughout BC, Canada and the United States. They have come as far away as Australia, New Zealand and England. To date, gifts have been contributed by concerned citizens, outdoor clubs and local businesses; making up 848 households and organizations.

“Not only is this purchase important to the climbing community, it is critical to maintaining, protecting and restoring diverse wildlife species and habitats in the Okanagan, which are some of the most endangered in Canada” says Turner. “This property contains critical habitat for endangered species such as California Bighorn Sheep, Pallid Bat, American Badger, Western Harvest Mouse, Screech Owl, Rubber Boa and Lewis’s Woodpecker and three species of snake; making this purchase significant to The Land Conservancy’s mandate of protecting key properties that represent the diversity of species and habitats.”

Donations for this valuable recreational and ecological site can be made at 1-877-485-2422 or www.conservancy.bc.ca For more detailed information about the project, please visit TLC’s Penticton Office, 262 Main Street, 2^nd Floor, and talk with Anne Armstrong.All donations are tax deductible.

TLC is a registered charity and land trust protecting wilderness areas and cultural landmarks in BC. Since 1997, TLC has protected over 100,000 acres of sensitive and threatened lands, involving more than 200 projects. TLC has grown to include over 6,500 members, and is now part of an international network of National Trusts with over 7 million members worldwide.

For further information:

Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director: cell (250 213-1090, bturner@conservancy.bc.ca

Anne Armstrong, TLC Okanagan Regional Manager: office (250) 488-0724, aarmstrong@conservancy.bc.ca

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept 28, 2007

TLC RECIEVES FINAL EXTENSION FOR SKAHA BLUFFS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

PENTICTON, BC –TLC The Land Conservancy has been graciously granted another extension by the current landowner of Sub Lot 18. TLC now has until January 15, 2008, to secure final funds from government and foundations to complete the purchase. By buying the property, TLC and their partners will provide a permanent access route to one of Canada’s premier climbing destinations: Skaha Bluffs.

“With land acquisitions there are many pieces of the puzzle that need time to complete. For Skaha Bluffs the funding from government and foundations are a significant piece and this extension will allow us to meet their internal deadlines,” says TLC Executive Director, Bill Turner. “We are very optimistic this fundraising campaign will move forward because all our partners are committed to seeing this project succeed.”

Since going public with the campaign to purchase 750 acres of private land beside the Bluffs (known as Sub Lot 18) in early March, TLC has received more than 750 individual donations from concerned citizens, community organizations, private donors and corporations on a local, national and global scale.

“I understand some donors might have concerns about access to the Bluffs for 2008 because building a proper road and parking lot on Sub Lot 18 might take time,” says Turner. “I would like everyone to know we will be working hard towards a short-term solution if need be.”

Last minute donations for this valuable recreational and ecological site can be made at 1-877-485-2422 or www.conservancy.bc.ca. For more detailed information about the project, please visit TLC’s Penticton Office, 262 Main Street, 2^nd Floor, and talk with Anne Armstrong. All donations are tax deductible.

TLC is a registered charity and land trust protecting wilderness areas and cultural landmarks in BC. Since 1997, TLC has protected over 100,000 acres of sensitive and threatened lands, involving more than 200 projects. TLC has grown to include over 6,500 members, and is now part of an international network of National Trusts with over 7 million members worldwide.

For further information:

Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director: cell (250) 213-1090, bturner@conservancy.bc.ca

Anne Armstrong, TLC Okanagan Regional Manager: office (250) 488-0724, cell (250) 488-0724, aarmstrong@conservancy.bc.ca

It is a great day for The Land Conservancy (TLC) and the climbing community: we received word that an extension will be granted for the Skaha Bluffs fundraising campaign. TLC will now have until September 30^th to close the deal on Sub Lot 18 as a permanent access route to one of Canada’s premier climbing destinations. The three month extension will allow TLC to secure government and foundation funds.

“Thanks to this reprieve I’m convinced we will be able to reach our goal of providing long-term access to the Bluffs for climbers, tourists and families in 2008. The current owner has given us until the end of September as a sign of good faith and we are grateful for this gift,” says TLC Executive Director Bill Turner. “All we need now is for people to show their support by donating. I know we can do this if we pull together as individuals, businesses, and governments.”

Since going public with the campaign to purchase 750 acres of private land beside the Bluffs (known as SubLot 18) in early March, donations have come from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and England, and have been contributed by climbers, outdoor enthusiasts, naturalists, and concerned citizens. Some significant corporate contributions have also been made, including $10,000 from The Access Society and a $250,000 land acquisition grant from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). In addition to the grant, MEC offered to match donations made by MEC members, up to $100,000.

To finalize the purchase of Sub Lot 18, $500,000 remains to be raised, $150,000 of which will need to come from public sources. The balance of the funds are expected to come through various foundations and government sources.

“It is amazing to see people from all over the world wanting to save this recreational landmark for its climbing reputation, as well as for its desert-like habitat which supports species at risk such as the California Bighorn Sheep, but we still need the public’s help to complete the deal,” says Turner.

TLC is strongly urging everyone who has been moved by the beauty of natural areas in BC to donate now at 1-877-485-2422 or www.conservancy.bc.ca. For more detailed information about the project, please visit TLC’s Penticton Office 262 Main Street, 2^nd Floor. All donations are tax deductible.

TLC is a registered charity and land trust protecting wilderness areas and cultural landmarks in BC. Since 1997, TLC has protected over 100,000 acres of sensitive and threatened lands, involving more than 200 projects. TLC has grown to include over 6,500 members, and is now part of an international network of National Trusts with over 7 million members worldwide.

For further information: Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director: cell (250) 213-1090, bturner@conservancy.bc.ca

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 4, 2007

TLC REQUESTS AN EXTENSION FOR SKAHA BLUFFS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

PENTICTON, BC– The fundraising campaign to purchase SubLot 18 as a permanent access route to one of Canada’s premier climbing destinations, Skaha Bluffs, is currently on hold as TLC waits to hear back on a request for an extension from the current property owner.

“Within the short timeframe, our fundraising efforts have been successful. We have received over $500,000 in donations, but we need more time to secure government and foundation funds for this valuable recreational and ecological site,” says TLC’s Executive Director Bill Turner. “I’m confident with an extension we will reach our goal of providing long-term access to the Bluffs for climbers, tourists and families in 2008. We should know the fate of our campaign by late next week.”

Since going public with the campaign to purchase 750 acres of private land beside the Bluffs (known as SubLot 18) in early March, donations have come from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and England, and have been contributed by climbers, outdoor enthusiasts, naturalists, concerned citizens, and corporations.

The most significant corporate contribution has been a $250,000 land acquisition grant from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). In addition to the grant, MEC launched a Bluffs donation program among its members. The program matched its members’ individual donations, up to $100,000.

“Everyday our phones are ringing, and donations are coming in via our website and mail. We even received 150 new TLCmembers as a result of this campaign,” says Turner. “It is amazing to see people from all over the world wanting to save this recreational landmark for its climbing reputation, as well as for its desert-like habitat which supports species at risk such as the California Bighorn Sheep.”

TLC is a registered charity and land trust protecting wilderness areas and cultural landmarks in BC. Since 1997, TLC has protected over 100,000 acres of sensitive and threatened lands, involving more than 200 projects. TLChas grown to include over 6,500 members, and is now part of an international network of National Trusts with over 7 million members worldwide.

For further information:
Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director: cell (250) 213-1090, bturner@conservancy.bc.ca

While it is not known how much still needs to be raised to purchase the land to secure access to Skaha Bluffs, the following is clear:

1. Donations are still needed and time is running out. The deadline is the end of THIS month - i.e in about 2 weeks from now!

2. MEC has offered to match members’ donations (made through The Land Conservancy) to a total of $100K. So far, members have donated about $70K.

3. The more that climbers raise, the more likely it is that other agencies will step in and make up the shortfall.

So, if you are thinking of donating, but have not yet done so, do it NOW.

Here’s how: The fund raising is being spearheaded by The Land Conservancy (of B.C.). Click on the Skaha Bluffs icon at the bottom of their homepage (http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/) and follow instructions on how to donate. Note: You do not need to join TLC to donate (this costs $35, is not tax deductible and will not be matched by MEC).

Dig deep (and soon),

jon jones

It is now a little under one month from the date at which the financing must be in place to finalize the purchase agreement for sublot 18, the proposed access site for Skaha Bluffs.

The bulk of the purchase price, expected to come from government and trust funds, will only be forthcoming when the deal is concluded, require matching funds, or are subject to an application and selection process. Only a few, key individuals are privy to these negotiations for these monies so there is still a large degree of uncertainty, outside that circle, as to how much still remains to be secured. There is little we, as climbers, can do to influence procurement of these funds and must simply trust the staff of TLC who are actively involved in the process and remain optimistic that the target can be reached.

The Nature Conservancy’s original budgeting called for non-Government sources to account for $1M. A little less than half of this has been raised in the first 2 months of effort. Private donations are at about $63K with a further $10K pledged but not yet secured. About 95% of this $73K has been donated by MEC members and so will be matched by MEC. Corporate donations from MEC and Black Diamond have not yet produced the expected rush of other companies eager to add to the fund. Here we have a little more opportunity to make aware the uninformed and exert some pressure on the hesitant.

If you have any contacts within the industries that serve the climbing world, have friends who are hesitant to donate, or feel there are places and groups that have not got the message please do whatever you can to make sure that all who might be willing are aware of the need and have the utmost encouragement to do so.

The simplest message to give them is to contact TLC via their site at www.conservancy.bc.ca or talk to Anne Armstrong at 250-492-0173.

Presented by The Land Conservancy:

A Skaha Bluffs Benefit Recital.

This recital is to raise support for acquisition of Sub Lot 18 in order to provide access to the Skaha Bluffs.

Join mezo soprano Mia Harris as she performs with accomplished painist Karen Lee-Morlang. Special guest speaker Dr Howie Richardson, author of “Skaha Rockclimbs”.

When? 7:30pm Friday May 11, 2007

Where? St Andrew’s - Wesley Church, Nelson at Burrard, Vancouver

The Land Conservancy (TLC), who are leading the effort to secure the 750-acre Sublot 18 to enable access to Skaha Bluffs, must put together the purchase price. This is currently undisclosed but thought to be well in excess of $5M. Much of the money will come from Government funds but around $1M must be found from private sources.

A recent meeting between TLC and the owner produced a two-month extension of the deadline for producing the money. The deadline had been the end of April but has been put back to the end of June – a much needed breathing space.

Just before Easter, the Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) announced that they would match member donations for the purchase of Sublot 18 up to a maximum of $100,000. Following that announcement, Peter Robinson, CEO of Mountain Equipment Coop, was in Penticton on April 10^th to announce that MEC are adding a further $250,000 grant.

This is clearly a major boost in the effort to raise the $1M. It has provided initial encouragement to individual and corporate donors. If MEC members play their part and donate $100,000, the contribution of MEC and its members will amount to about half of the required private funding.

Bill Turner, the main negotiator for TLC, reports there is still more than $1M to find from Government sources but seems confident that this can be done. Climbers should bear in mind, however, that while all levels of Government are keen to see the access issue solved, their main interest in Sublot 18 is because of its high value as habitat for wildlife.

Besides raising money, there are still a couple of issues to be resolved before climbers can be certain of continued access to Skaha Bluffs.

1) The road into Sublot 18 is along an easement. This must be renegotiated to reflect the change in ownership and use.

2) Once the lot is purchased, the road will have to be upgraded before it can be opened for use by the public. The road passes through a reparian area and stringent rules apply to work in these delicate, and disappearing habitats.

3) Although there is no official pronouncement, all indications are that a small part of Sublot 18 and the crown land on which most of the Bluffs are located will become a Park. Much of the reset of Sublot 18 will become part of a larger Wildlife Management Area. There will be much discussion and negotiation between the various interested parties before a user-plan will be finalised for this area.

Howie Richardson

OK Falls

TLC LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SAVE

NATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED CLIMBING AREA

PENTICTON, BC – TLCThe Land Conservancy announced today that it has negotiated temporary public access at the Skaha Bluffs, and is launching a fundraising campaign to purchase a nearby property with the intention of offering a permanent solution, protecting the Bluffs forever for everyone.

“Hugh Dunlop has graciously agreed to provide short-term access across his property to the Bluffs for the 2007 climbing season,” says Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director. “Mr. Dunlop will open his facilities effective March 16^th as he has done in previous years. This is a great day for the climbers and wildlife enthusiasts, but we still have a lot of work to do to address permanent access to this spectacular site.”

TLC has secured an option to purchase 750 acres of private land beside the Bluffs (known as SubLot 18) by the end of April 2007. Thanks to TLC’s partners and a generous donation by the current property owner, a significant amount of monies are secured, but to complete the deal TLC needs to raise $1 million from concerned citizens, community organizations, private donors, and corporations. Once protected, TLC with their partners will be able to grant permanent access to the Bluffs for climbers, tourists and families in 2008.

Every year thousands of people from across Canada and the United States travel to the Bluffs in Penticton to climb the gneiss rock faces, hike the desert-like grasslands, and admire the wildlife and picturesque scenery.

Located in the South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen area – one of Canada’s four most endangered ecosystems – the Bluffs are believed to be among the oldest rocks in BC. Over the centuries, the Bluffs have been weathered and ground-down, re-compressed and covered with solid ridges and deep ravines making them excellent conditions for rock climbing.

These same nooks and crannies mixed with the dry climate have also made the Bluffs ideal habitat for species at risk such as the California Bighorn Sheep, Pallid Bat, and Desert Night Snake. The Bluffs and the surrounding grassland, forest and wetland are vital to wildlife diversity as a source of water, food, shelter, nesting habitat and as movement corridors.

“The Bluffs are a unique recreational landmark in the Okanagan as well as in Canada. The surrounding region is vital habitat for species at risk. It only made sense for us to get involved because both these issues are closely connected to our mandate,” says Anne Armstrong, TLCRegional Manager in Penticton. “We are calling on everyone who has visited the Bluffs to contribute to saving this valuable site. We are also calling on everyone who has been moved by the beauty of natural areas in BC to donate now.”

TLCneeds the support of local residents, private donors, and corporations to make this dream a reality. All donations are tax deductible. Donations for the Skaha Bluffs can be made at 1-877-485-2422 or online at www.conservancy.bc.ca.

For further information:
Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director: cell (250) 213-1090, bturner@conservancy.bc.ca
Anne Armstrong, TLC Okanagan Regional Manager: office (250) 488-0724, aarmstrong@conservancy.bc.ca