Vermont Trails and Greenways

Developing an Outreach Plan to Celebrate your Town's Woods, Wetlands and Wildlife
2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
It can be daunting to plan the outreach for a series of events or plan an outreach strategy that may lead up to a proposed municipal change, sometimes years in the making. In this webinar you’ll learn more about creating an outreach plan with multiple events, separating messages for different audiences and identifying an over-arching theme that helps tie the series together. The panel of presenters includes Elise Schadler and Jens Hilke, with years of municipal technical assistance experience, and Megan Davin, a Communications and Outreach specialist. Join us for this exciting event to help improve your commission’s communications.

Session 1: Wednesday, October 22nd 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Register

Session 2: Thursday, December 4th 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Register

Presenters

Elise Schadler, Program Manager VT Urban & Community Forestry Program, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

Megan Davin, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish & Wildlife Department

Act 250 Tier 3 Meeting Rutland - Oct 22
2025-10-22 18:00 - 20:00
Tier 3 areas contain critical natural resources that merit consideration in the Act 250 permitting process. Moving to location-based Act 250 jurisdiction means reducing or eliminating Act 250 permitting in areas planned for growth (Tier 1 areas) and increasing Act 250 permitting in critical natural resource areas that lack suitable State-level review and protection (Tier 3 areas).
Act 181 (2024) mandated Act 250 jurisdiction for projects in Tier 3 areas as determined by the rules of the Board. During the rulem
Last year, the legislature passed Act 181, which creates new land designation “Tiers” intended to change the Act 250 permitting process. “Tier 1” areas where growth is planned for and encouraged will have reduced or eliminated Act 250 permitting, whereas “Tier 3” areas with important natural resources will face automatic permitting in most cases.
The Land Use Review Board (LURB) is responsible for developing the definitions for these Tiers, and has just released a proposed plan for Tier 3 lands as part of their Tier 3 Rulemaking process. Their website also includes a Map Viewer that shows the proposed Tier 3 zones, many of which lie in or near existing trail systems. The LURB is holding a series of public engagement meetings next week where Vermonters can ask questions and weigh in with their concerns.
The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council is pushing for clarification as to whether and how trails will be considered as part of Tier 3 Act 250 designations. Presently, trail projects in the Vermont Trails System can disturb up to 10 acres of earth before triggering a permit, though it is unclear if this policy – often referred to as Rule 71 – will persist if a trail touches a Tier 3 zone. We encourage trail folks to attend one of the following meetings to learn more and, as appropriate, communicate the negative implications of such a regulatory change. Take a look at the Map Viewer to see if and how your trails might be impacted.
Upcoming public meetings:

October 21 – Morristown Tegu Building Meeting Room, 43 Portland Street
October 22 – Rutland Regional Planning Commission Office, 16 Evelyn Street (2nd floor)
October 28 – Newport City Gateway Center Meeting Room, 84 Fyfe Drive
October 29 – Windsor Selectboard Meeting Room, 29 Union Street

Learn more and get links to meetings here

American Hiking Society's Crew Leader Training Program - Online, Self-paced
2025-10-28 08:00 - 17:00 | zoom
American Hiking Society’s Crew Leader Training Program is now open to individuals and organizations outside of AHS—and it includes our full Menu & Meal Planning Guide, including our crew leader’s favorite recipes, shopping lists and best practices on feeding groups in the outdoors!
This module walks you through the full process of planning safe, efficient, and satisfying meals for groups in any setting—from indoor lodges to remote backcountry sites, including how to make substitutions for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other allergies and preferences.
This self-paced, online program also includes:

8-10 hour comprehensive crew leader training at your own pace including videos, guides and slide decks using a Google Classroom learning environment that includes self-paced courses and quizzes.
One of a kind training on facilitating group dynamics by fostering respect, belonging, and individual potential for all participants
Equipment checklists for indoor, backcountry, and camping trail maintenance projects
Email, community agreements and Indigenous land acknowledgement templates

Whether you’re managing week-long backcountry trips or leading single day trail maintenance projects, you’ll gain tools to improve group safety, organization, and outdoor ethics—backed by AHS’s half-century of experience in trail stewardship.

RTP Grant Program Webinar: Pre-Application Materials
2025-10-28 13:00 - 14:30 | zoom
The webinar will provide technical and content guidance about how to complete the specific materials required for the pre-application phase, including the workplan, budget, design assessment tool, and permitting tools. There will be time at the end of the session for questions from attendees related to the templates and resources.
This session will be recorded. All registered attendees will receive a copy of the recording via email afterward. The recording will also be posted afterward on the RTP webpage.

Act 250 Tier 3 Meeting October 28 Newport City Gateway Center
2025-10-28 18:00 - 20:00
Last year, the legislature passed Act 181, which creates new land designation “Tiers” intended to change the Act 250 permitting process. “Tier 1” areas where growth is planned for and encouraged will have reduced or eliminated Act 250 permitting, whereas “Tier 3” areas with important natural resources will face automatic permitting in most cases.
The Land Use Review Board (LURB) is responsible for developing the definitions for these Tiers, and has just released a proposed plan for Tier 3 lands as part of their Tier 3 Rulemaking process. Their website also includes a Map Viewer that shows the proposed Tier 3 zones, many of which lie in or near existing trail systems. The LURB is holding a series of public engagement meetings next week where Vermonters can ask questions and weigh in with their concerns.
The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council is pushing for clarification as to whether and how trails will be considered as part of Tier 3 Act 250 designations. Presently, trail projects in the Vermont Trails System can disturb up to 10 acres of earth before triggering a permit, though it is unclear if this policy – often referred to as Rule 71 – will persist if a trail touches a Tier 3 zone. We encourage trail folks to attend one of the following meetings to learn more and, as appropriate, communicate the negative implications of such a regulatory change. Take a look at the Map Viewer to see if and how your trails might be impacted.
Upcoming public meetings:

October 21 – Morristown Tegu Building Meeting Room, 43 Portland Street
October 22 – Rutland Regional Planning Commission Office, 16 Evelyn Street (2nd floor)
October 28 – Newport City Gateway Center Meeting Room, 84 Fyfe Drive
October 29 – Windsor Selectboard Meeting Room, 29 Union Street

Public Meetings on New Act 250 Tiers - Windsor - October 29
2025-10-29 18:00 - 20:00

A Guide to Adaptive Mountain Bike Trailbuilding
2025-10-30 13:00 - 14:30 | zoom
Hosted by American Trails
Synopsis
This webinar will walk through the latest guidance for planning, designing, building, and retrofitting adaptive mountain bike trails, with a specific focus on nonmotorized, natural-surface trails. The speakers represent the critical stakeholders that should be involved in any aMTB trail project— trail manager, aMTB users, aMTB programs, and trail builder. Learn more about the webinar including the learning objectives and presenter(s) here.
Presenters

Nick Bennette, Executive Director, Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA)
Jeff Alexander, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
Greg Durso, Senior Program Director, Kelly Brush Foundation
Tom Lepesqueur, Owner & Builder, L&D Trailworks
Berne Broudy, Co-Founder and President, Richmond Mountain Trails (MODERATOR)

Thank You Partners!
We want to thank the partners of this webinar that include iZone Imaging, Professional TrailBuilders Association, GrizBurger Fund, 52Eighty Creative, Terrabilt Wayfinding Solutions, and our Federal agency partners with the Department of Interior including the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
We also want to thank our Trail Champion members for helping keep the live webinars produced weekly and free: Trail Design Specialists, Pilot Rock by RJ Thomas Manufacturing Company, Kansas Trails, Vacker Sign, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Alliance Action Sports Experts, Horsley Witten Group, and West Virginia University – Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative.

RTP Open office hours
2025-11-06 11:00 - 12:00 | zoom
Staff at FPR will host a virtual open office session for prospective applicants to learn more details about the grant program and ask questions.
This session will be recorded. All registered attendees will receive a copy of the recording via email afterward. The recording will also be posted afterward on the RTP webpage.

Building Communities Grants Due November 10
2025-11-10 | Vermont
The Agency of Administration Building & General Services Building Communities grant is due November 10. This funding source can be used for trails. Funded annually through the Capital Appropriations and State Bonding Act, to qualify for one of the Building Communities Grants, an applicant must be a non-profit organization, regional economic development organization, or municipality.
Learn more: Building Communities Grants Programs

Vermont’s Land Conservation: Where Do We Go From Here?
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00 | zoom
Vermont has an incredible track record of protecting land for people and nature. Using the Conserved Lands Inventory developed by Vermont Housing & Conservation Board as part of Vermont’s 30×30 effort, we reflect on the distribution of permanently conserved lands around the state, and how those lands intersect our most ecologically important places seen in Vermont Conservation Design. By looking at these past patterns, we can celebrate the work by federal, state, town, and NGOs. We can also reflect on the types of lands and parts of the state that have been historically under-represented in our land conservation investments, and prioritize future places to work for both people and nature. Join us for this exciting webinar to learn how your town’s efforts can contribute to making our conserved lands more diverse, equitable, and ecologically impactful.

Session 1: Wednesday, October 8th 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register

Session 2: Wednesday, November 12th 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Register

Presenters
Bob Zaino, Ecologist, VT Fish & Wildlife Department
Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish & Wildlife Department

RTP Open Office Hour
2025-11-18 15:00 - 16:00 | zoom
Staff at FPR will host a virtual open office session for prospective applicants to learn more details about the grant program and ask questions. This entire session is open for any questions related to the program.
This session will be recorded. All registered attendees will receive a copy of the recording via email afterward. The recording will also be posted afterward on the RTP webpage.

Recreation Trail Program (RTP) Pre-Application Due November 21
2025-11-21 | Vermont
FPR’s RTP grant is currently the most utilized source of public funding to build trails in Vermont. Grants awards are $50,000 maximum. Recommended $7,500 minimum – 20% match required

Pre-applications open and application materials released by October 7, 2025
Pre-application submission deadline: November 21, 2025
Full application submission deadline: February 1, 2026

Developing an Outreach Plan to Celebrate your Town's Woods, Wetlands and Wildlife
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:00 | zoom
It can be daunting to plan the outreach for a series of events or plan an outreach strategy that may lead up to a proposed municipal change, sometimes years in the making. In this webinar you’ll learn more about creating an outreach plan with multiple events, separating messages for different audiences and identifying an over-arching theme that helps tie the series together. The panel of presenters includes Elise Schadler and Jens Hilke, with years of municipal technical assistance experience, and Megan Davin, a Communications and Outreach specialist. Join us for this exciting event to help improve your commission’s communications.

Session 2: Thursday, December 4th 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Register

Presenters

Elise Schadler, Program Manager VT Urban & Community Forestry Program, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

Megan Davin, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish & Wildlife Department

National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC)
2026-05-11 - 2026-05-14
Join the Society for Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) for the 2025 NORC in Duluth, Minnesota.
