Purpose of award (summary of the goals and objectives of the project):work jointly to promote, enhance, and manage for sustainable climbing in the new river gorge national park and preserve with a…

Purpose of award (summary of the goals and objectives of the project):work jointly to promote, enhance, and manage for sustainable climbing in the new river gorge national park and preserve with a shared vision of protection, conservation, and stewardship.climber stewards will actively engage with visitors during the prime climbing season, spring through fall, and would immediately connect vital education, low impact best practices with visiting climbers. Climber stewards would rely upon a host of trusted outreach strategies and education techniques to connect with visiting climbers - meeting them where they are and with a common climbing bond. Climber stewards, investing their time in the area would gain a sense of connection and convey critical messages necessary to protect this special landscape.summary of project specific activities:climber coffee morningsclimber stewards would host 3 climber coffee events each week, facilitating conversation and connection. Morning event locations would fluctuate between trailheads, parking lots and campgrounds. Climber stewards program would provide coffee to entice climbers into coming and faciliatate interaction, distribute human waste bag, share area information, and host visiting educational speakers.cliffside chatsclimber stewards' role would be to connect with climbers where they are. Cliffside chats would include visiting various walls and connecting with climbers; group size, access erosion, closures, cultural concerns, biological concerns, regulations and parking practices would all be discussion points. Climbing would be voluntary and not specifically included as a requirement.stewardship & volunteerismclimber stewards would play a vital role in connecting visiting climbers to opportunities for involvement through volunteerism and stewardship - whether trail days, invasive weed removal, trash pick-up or additional opportunities a steward would be the tie keeping opportunities available.performance goals including milestones and expected outcomes:improve the long-term protection and community commitment to the new river gorge.climber stewards would spend a total of 28 days during the busiest climbing months: may through october, living in the heart of the climbing scene. The climber stewards would be docents, dedicated to creating a deeper connection between themselves, visiting climbers to convey critical messages necessary to protect this special landscape.beneficiaries:NPS visitors, park management, and community members