Advocating for Utah climbing in Washington D.C.

During the week of October 20th, 2025, SLCA’s very own Drew Brodhead headed to Washington, D.C. as part of the Grasstops Collective, a leadership and advocacy development program run through Outdoor Alliance.

The Grasstops Collective trains local community leaders to build relationships with policymakers and advocate for Outdoor Alliance’s conservation priorities from an authentic, on-the-ground perspective. Grasstops leaders are unique because of their meaningful presence in their communities—whether in business, nonprofits, or local government. They are the unofficial mayors of our outdoor spaces: the people who know everyone at the crag, the trailhead, or the put-in. Once trained in the fundamentals of outdoor policy, advocacy, and congressional operations, these leaders bring a grounded, local perspective to inform national conservation, recreation, and climate policy.

Beginning in June 2025, the program included an in-person kickoff, multiple Zoom trainings with Outdoor Alliance staff, the Congressional Management Foundation, and several past and current lawmakers. We were challenged to craft compelling personal stories, learn how to connect with elected officials, and build lasting relationships with our representatives and their staff.

During the October visit, Drew participated in four congressional meetings with:

  • Senator Curtis

  • Senator Lee’s Deputy Chief of Staff

  • Representative Maloy’s Chief of Staff

  • Representative Kennedy

Alongside Katie Goodwind (Access Fund and Outdoor Alliance), we engaged in honest and meaningful conversations about the implementation of the Protect America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act, both locally and nationally. Every office expressed enthusiasm and a willingness to continue pushing for clarity on the forthcoming national guidance from the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA).

A huge thank-you to Outdoor Alliance for the incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and step into a space that once felt foreign and intimidating. And thank you to the congressional offices who met with us—their enthusiasm for the climbing community was truly a breath of fresh air.









Julia Geisler