Scott Massey's presentation to Sustainable Summits 2014.

1. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
The Professional Mountain Guide as a
Partner for Education and Resource
Protection: The American Mountain
Guides Association’s effort to set
standards in our mountain areas.

2. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
About the AMGA
The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) is a
501(c)(3) educational non‐profit that is dedicated to
supporting the American mountain guiding and climbing
instructor community.
Our Mission: To inspire and support a culture of
American mountain craft

3. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Definition
A “professional mountain guide” is an individual or
business that performs guiding services or instruction for
compensation in the terrain-based disciplines of rock
climbing, alpine climbing / mountaineering, or skiing
outside of developed resorts in a mechanized or non-
mechanized manner. The services or instruction are the
primary purpose of their business.

4. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
A culture of non-conformity

5. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.

6. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.

7. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Management History
Major Factors Influencing Guiding
Permit Management
Wilderness

8. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Permit Management
Concession Contract

9. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Permit Management
Outfitter / Guide Special Use Permit

10. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Wilderness Act
“… Areas of undeveloped Federal land retaining its
primeval character and influence, without permanent
improvements or human habitation, which is
protected and managed to preserve its natural
condition… and have outstanding opportunities for
solitude or a primitive and unconfined recreation.”

11. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Wilderness Act
Commercial Enterprise Prohibited

12. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Wilderness Act
“Commercial Services” allowed “to
the extent necessary for activities…
proper for… recreational or other
wilderness purposes…”

13. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Tension
“Recreational vs. Commercial”

14. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.

15. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Enter the AMGA:
Origins in 1979
Goals:
Create and Uphold Measurable Industry Standards
Unify the Guiding Profession
Ensure Better Safety Standards for Clients

16. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Increasing, Changing Use

17. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Mainstream Sports

18. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Outdoor Recreation Economy
$646 Billion Dollars!

19. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Life-long Pursuit

20. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Increasing Impacts

21. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Strategic Initiatives

22. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Teachers and Mentors

23. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Increasing Users --- Increasing Demand for Guides
Agency adaptations – Short-term permits
• NPS Commercial Use Authorization
• USFS Temporary Special Use Permit
• BLM Special Recreation Permit

24. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Challenges in Land
Management
Budgetary Challenges
White River NF – most recreation visitors in US
• Down 18% in 2014
• Almost 40% from 2009/10
Administrative Challenges

25. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
21st Century Paradigms
How does the professional mountain guiding user
become an effective partner to the land manager – one
that is seen as a professional asset, and not just
another “commercial user”?

26. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Solutions
Relationships
• Concession contract example
• How to set expectation with other permits?
Increasing professionalism in mountain
guiding trade

27. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
AMGA’s Effort: Our
Programs
Setting the Standard for Guide Education
Technical instruction and assessment to the internationally
recognized standard
Leave No Trace and stewardship are core components
Professional conduct is highly emphasized

28. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
AMGA’s Effort:
Advocacy
Educating public lands regulators on the value of professionally
trained and credentialed mountain guides
Goals:
All professional mountain guides trained for the terrain on
which they work,
Viewed as a resource for public safety,
Partnering with land managers for education and conservation

29. The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.
Photos: Dylan Taylor,
SEKI, AMGA stock
Many Thanks to our partners in the land management agencies,
our members for being dedicated to advancing the profession, and
all of you for being here and committed to working together for the
world’s mountain areas and their visitors.