Purchase of a 55-acre tract to preserve important sections of Tennessee's Foster Falls climbing area and the historic Fiery Gizzard Trail has just been completed. The Access Fund in collaboration with the Friends of the South Cumberland, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition and other local groups have secured the area providing access and preventing potential logging of one of the most unusual, beautiful and historic natural areas in the Southeastern United States.

The Access Fund is one of several citizen advocacy groups that worked to restore access to the area. With a $35,000 grant from the Conservation Alliance, the Access Fund helped to purchase a section of the trail threatened with closure. The closure was due to complex access and environmental issues and multiple ownership.

Foster Falls and the Fiery Gizzard Trail draw over one million backpackers, hikers, climbers and general recreation visitors annually. It features gorges, waterfalls, steep sandstone walls, over one hundred varieties of herbacious plants, abundant wildlife and two campgrounds along its fifteen-mile path. The Fiery Gizzard Trail was named as one of the top 25 backpacking trails in the nation by Backpacker Magazine.

"This has been a long time coming and is a great success for the Access Fund, the climbing community and all of those who enjoy Foster Falls," said Access Fund Executive Director Sally Moser.

Moser continued, "This is an incredible example of years of hard work by several groups concerned about the area. Donations for the area came in not only from organizations but from individuals who care about Foster Falls from various southeastern states. We feel very proud to have been able to help make this a reality."

A portion of the grant was used for conservation efforts along the trail and the purchase will ensure public climbing and recreational access for future generations.