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.
News
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.
Vermont’s outdoor recreation valued at $2.1 billion in 2023
VT Digger
Many Vermont residents value the outdoors. What they may not know is just how much the Green Mountain State’s outdoor recreation economy is worth. Outdoor recreation contributed $2.1 billion in value added, or 4.8% of the state’s gross domestic product in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. That means it made up the second-highest percentage of state GDP, after Hawaii. Since the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis started tracking this data a few years ago, Vermont has maintained its position near the top, said Rebecca Washburn, director of the lands administration and recreation division of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation in Vermont.
Dread your commute? These folks suggest trying a trail instead
VT Digger
Imagine a commute without the worry of traffic jams, potholes or detours, a path to town that’s nearby, maintained and linked to routes just like it all over the state.
That’s the Cross Vermont Trail Association’s vision — to create a web of trails for bikers and walkers to have easy access and safe travels between north-central Vermont towns.
