The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC), along with five partner organizations*, was awarded an eighteen-month grant from the Vermont Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) to address trail accessibility in Vermont. As part of that grant, VTGC is conducting a trail user survey to gather feedback from people with mobility challenges or disabilities about their experiences when using Vermont’s trails to enjoy nature or pursue recreation activities such as biking, walking, hiking, bird watching, or paddling. VTGC and its partner organizations will use this feedback to better understand the obstacles that prevent people with mobility challenges and disabilities from accessing trails in Vermont, and identify opportunities to address and overcome those obstacles. The survey will be available through Friday, May 23th. The resulting data will be the topic of conversation at a roundtable event in early summer (date TBD) which survey respondents are invited to attend. The survey will be open through May 23; please share widely with your networks. Contact independent consultant Gretchen Elias at gretchenelias@mac.com with questions or for more information.
*Community Geographics, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Upper Valley Trails Alliance, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport, and Vermont Mountain Biking Association
News
Outdoor Recreation Day, February 12, 2025 @ the Statehouse
On February 12, VTGC co-hosts the second annual Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day. Join fellow outdoor enthusiasts, businesses, trail organizations, and agencies as celebrate outdoor recreation’s contribution to peoples’ wellness, community vitality, and economic growth. RSVP today. Interested in having a table to promote your organization? Email us at info@vermonttgc.org if you’d like to host a table.
Take Action: Urge Lawmakers to Support S.4
Please Take Action: VTGC is urging you to email the Senate Transportation Committee to ask them to Support S.4, a bill that would clarify that municipalities have explicit authority, but not obligation, to maintain Legal Trails. The bill would also provide towns with the authority to regulate the use of Legal Trails within their municipality, including what types of vehicles have public access on these trails.
Vermont House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development Hosts Outdoor Recreation Introduction
e House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development asked VTGC to provide an introduction to our organization and an overview of the VTGC 2025 Policy Priorities. Please see the presentation here and check out the video of our testimony (27:30). Chair Mike Marcotte from the Commerce Committee is the lead sponsor on our key priority bill that aims to study a pathway to a mechanism for recognition of private landowners who provide public access trails. We eagerly await the introduction of this bill that includes:
First Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub Summit charts bold vision for inclusive outdoor recreation
On Wednesday, June 14, Bolton Valley Resort’s Timberline Lodge played host to the inaugural Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub (TAH) Summit, bringing together more than 50 thought leaders and advocates to advance trail accessibility across Vermont. This collaborative event united representatives from more than 30 organizations and agencies, setting the stage for a transformative future in trail-based outdoor recreation.
American Trails Capacity Grant 2025 Opens
American Trails
American Trails and Bronco Wild Fund are pleased to continue the Trails Capacity Grant Program in 2025. This program is targeted for projects on all federal public lands, as well as state, local, and private lands accessible to the public. Project applicants may include nonprofit organizations, businesses, or agencies at the state or local level. American Trails is administering this grant program, and is soliciting proposals for funding, with awards between $2K and $10K per project. Deadline is January 31, 2025 by 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
