Vermont Trails and Greenways

How Can Vermont’s Best-In-Class Outdoor Recreation Adapt and Evolve? Listening Session
2025-02-25 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) has launched a statewide strategic planning process to develop the first-ever Destination Management Strategic Plan for Vermont. This initiative will shape the future of tourism in our state, and they want your input to guide the way
Share your voice! Participate in this important, upcoming listening session. Sustainability and responsible use are some of the topics often raised and may be discussed as we explore the visitor experience and the growth of Vermont’s outdoor recreation industry. Learn more and register here.

Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day
2025-02-12 08:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
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 .

Together on the Trail: Birdability and Accessible Birding
2025-02-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
This webinar will discuss birding access features that help make a trail inclusive of folks with disabilities and other health concerns.

NBRC Catalyst Grant Program Information Session
2025-02-05 12:30 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
2025 Catalyst Program Information Session: Wednesday, February 5 | 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM EST
This session will provide an in-depth overview of the 2025 Catalyst Program. Participants will leave with the information needed to prepare for the pre-application phase. Pre-applications are required for funding consideration.
The Catalyst Program stimulates economic growth and inspires partnerships that improve rural
economic vitality across the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) four-state region. The
Catalyst Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives that will modernize
and expand the region’s basic infrastructure and revitalize communities to support and attract the
region’s workforce. Established by Congress in 2008, the NBRC is a partnership between the
federal government and the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The NBRC
invests in job-creating projects that reduce poverty, unemployment, and outmigration

Access Versus Accessibility
2025-01-30 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
The webinar will discuss the distinction between access versus accessibility and will discuss and show examples of increasing trail access and accessibility by focusing on four areas using a DEIAB lens: Information, Language, Experience/Environment, and Authenticity.

Trailblazing Accessibility: Ensuring Equitable Access to Natural Spaces for Those with Disabilities
2025-01-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
This webinar will present information on how outdoor spaces can pose safety and accessibility concerns for those with various disabilities. Attendees will be introduced to solution-seeking methods of dismantling accessibility barriers that are applicable to parks, trails, and similar natural environments. A variety of solutions will be presented of varying price points, complexity, and environmental considerations, all in order to help facilities grow in a way that is sensible, sustainable, and most importantly, impactful for themselves and their surrounding community. Resources slides at the end will be optimized to be a strong stand-alone document that park leaders can reference when seeking to spearhead projects independently.

Navigating NEPA in Trail Development
2025-01-09 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Navigating the regulatory waters from trail plan through construction can be a daunting process, especially on federal lands when the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) applies. This webinar is a deeper dive into NEPA as an extension of a past webinar: Approvals, Permitting and Compliance (2023). This webinar will help answer key questions related to NEPA and trail development: What is NEPA? How do you know if you need it? How long does it take? What is a FONSI (Finding Of No Significant Impact)? What is a Categorical Exclusion (CE)? What is the difference between EA (Environmental Assessment) and EIS (Environmental Impact Statement)? What does compliance look like after the NEPA process? In addition to definitions and processes, this webinar will provide real-life examples of trail development projects that took different routes to navigating NEPA.

Trail Bumps: Lessons Learned from Removing 1,000 Bumps
2025-01-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
Root heaves are a common issue on paved multi-use trails that can make trails inaccessible, unused or cause permanent and life altering injuries to users. This webinar focuses on lessons learned from removing over 1,000 bumps from an 18-mile paved trail. The webinar includes discussion of an effective technique, bump removal options and their trade-offs, equipment, cost, and repair durability.

OpenStreetMap Trail Mapping for Responsible Recreation
2024-12-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
This webinar will dive into the technical side of the Trails Stewardship Initiative and will teach you about the easy-to-use tools you can use to keep your trails up-to-date in popular recreation apps.
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is the free, crowdsourced map of the world. In recreation, OSM helps trail users decide where to go by powering apps like AllTrails, Gaia GPS, CalTopo, and onX. In this talk, OSM experts Quincy Morgan and Jake Low will present an overview of OpenStreetMap before diving into the technical side of the Trails Stewardship Initiative: a collaborative effort to accurately map all the trails in the United States in service of responsible and accessible recreation. Come learn about the easy-to-use tools you can use to keep your trails up-to-date in popular recreation apps, and how you can leverage the power of OpenStreetMap to meet your own data needs.
Be sure to check out the first webinar hosted by OSM in August 2024, The OpenStreetMap US Trails Stewardship Initiative, that will pull back the curtain on the data behind the apps, and share the challenges, efforts, and successes of the OpenStreetMap US Trail Stewardship Initiative and the community collaboration behind it.

Innovative Development of a Year-Round, Destination Trail System in a Rural Area
2024-12-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
Learn about one organization’s innovative approach to building and maintaining a trail system that serves as a model for communities around the country. WinMan Trails is a year-round, public nonprofit trail system in Northern Wisconsin. With 45+ miles of silent sport trails, they offer mountain biking, cross-county skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and winter fat tire biking. Their innovative approach to building and maintaining a trail system serves as a model for communities around the country. With the support of initial private investments, WinMan has grown into a fully sustainable organization that is 100% supported by the generosity of its users and the community. Visit WinManTrails.com to learn more.

Innovative Development of a Year-Round, Destination Trail System in a Rural Area
2024-12-12 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Learn about one organization’s innovative approach to building and maintaining a trail system that serves as a model for communities around the country.

Fundamentals of Aggregate Surface Trails
2024-12-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
Whether you are looking to develop a trail that is suitable for use in all seasons or by all abilities, properly installing an aggregate surface can be an integral strategy for enhancing tread durability, sustainability, and user experience. After a general introduction to various types of trail surfacing, this webinar will focus on design and construction factors specific to aggregate surfaced trails. In terms of design, speakers will discuss how slope, soil, watershed, and designed use shape an aggregate surface trail project. Speakers will then delve into the construction logistics and specialized techniques including material transport, specialized equipment, and tread compaction. Speakers will share real-world examples of aggregate surface trail projects including successes and lessons learned. This session will conclude with a facilitated 10 minute Q&A.

Higher Education Trail Programs: Applying the Trail Competencies
2024-11-21 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
Join this webinar as a panel of speakers discuss the many ways that the Competency Framework has been used, or could be used, to create innovative higher education programs that build the next generation of trail professionals.

Building a Trail-Friendly Community: Three Things You Can Start Today
2024-11-14 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This webinar introduces you to three simple, concrete strategies to engage your community, entice locals and visitors, and take the next steps toward making the most of outdoor recreation and trails.

VT-100 Active Transportation Corridor Public Meeting
2024-11-13 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Yestermorrow, 7865 Main St, Waitsfield, 7865 Main St, Waitsfield, VT
Join the VT-100 Active Transportation Corridor Scoping Study Team and Advisory Committee on November 13th for an engaging public meeting to discuss this important project. This meeting provides an opportunity for municipal leaders, Regional Planning Commissions, federal, state, and local agencies, interest groups, abutting property owners, and community members to share their concerns, ideas, and feedback. Come learn about the project, provide input, and be a part of the conversation to help define future transportation improvements in our region.

Outdoors for Everyone: Engaging More People in the Outdoors.
2024-11-13 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | zoom
The outdoors are one of our greatest resources for physical and emotional health, however, the demographics of folks that engage in outdoor recreational activities often do not mirror that of the general population. In our webinar, we will learn from leaders in the field of creating opportunities for all people to get outside!
The Northern Forest Center invites you to join us for this event! Registration is free, but required to participate. November 13, from 12 – 1:30 pm. Register TODAY
Join us for a conversation with non-profit leaders from around the region who are pursuing their missions to welcome more people into outdoor spaces. We will learn from their successes in serving traditionally underrepresented segments of the population and explore opportunities for people to bring to their communities.
Our panelists will discuss why their programs are important for inclusive and vibrant outdoor recreation in our region.

VTGC Monthly Board Meeting
2024-11-13 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
VTGC Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month from 9 -11 am. Meetings include a featured topic, updates from FPR, a discussion about our legislative work, and strategic plans going forward to support our membership. Reach out to info@vermonttgc.org for more information, or login using the button below.

LWCF Grant Program Webinar: Pre-Application Materials
2024-11-12 14:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | zoom
LWCF Grant Program Webinar: Pre-Application Materials | Thursday, November 12, 2024, 2:30-3:30 PM
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, resiliency risk assessment, and permitting tools. There will be time at the end of the session for questions from attendees related to the templates and resources. The recording will be posted afterward. Register for the webinar.

Making Organizations Inclusive: Stories of Deaf Gain in the Outdoors
2024-10-24 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
This webinar will provide you with some of the needed tools, understanding, and resources of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing so that you can be more inclusive, respectful, and successful.

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) launch webinar
2024-10-22 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (LWCF) became effective in January 1965 to create parks and open spaces, protect wilderness and forests, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities. Funds are derived from federal recreation fees, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues from leasing oil and gas sites in coastal waters, federal surplus real property sales, and a portion of federal motorboat fuel taxes. Funds are apportioned to federal agencies, and to the 50 states and 6 territories through the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service (NPS). In Vermont, LWCF is administered by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. LWCF grants provide up to 50% matching assistance to the state and local governments.
Project applications are scored and ranked by a project application ranking committee following the Open Project Selection Process (OPSP) using established criteria. The resulting recommendations are reviewed and approved by the ranking committee. All applications must meet an identified need within the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and address local and regional needs. Municipalities must agree to dedicate the park or area where the project is located for public outdoor recreational use in perpetuity. In addition, the grantee must also agree to develop, operate, and maintain the development to acceptable National Park Service (NPS) standards for public outdoor recreation. Grants are subject to approval by the National Park Service (NPS).
FPR is offering a webinar that will include a presentation explaining the goals of the grant program, an overview of the process, and eligible activities to help inform project planning. There will be time at the end of the session for questions from attendees related to project planning and design. 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 LWCF webpage.

Recreation Trails Program (RTP) Launch Webinar
2024-10-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants are federally funded on an annual basis through the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and are administered at the State level in Vermont through the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR). FPR makes RTP funds available to Vermont communities for the development and maintenance of public recreational trails, for both motorized and non-motorized recreation. In the 2024 grant round, FPR anticipates awarding approximately $500,000 to maintain and build trails across the state of Vermont.
FPR is hosting a webinar that will include a presentation explaining the goals of the grant program, an overview of the process, and eligible activities to help inform project planning. There will be time at the end of the session for questions from attendees related to project planning and design.
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.

VTGC Board meeting
2024-10-09 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | zoom
Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month from 9 -11 am. Meetings include a featured topic, updates from FPR, a discussion about our legislative work, and strategic plans going forward to support our membership. Reach out to info@vermonttgc.org for more information.

Assessing and Advancing Belonging: Overcoming Roadblocks to Inclusion
2024-09-26 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This interactive workshop provides a framework for honestly evaluating your organization’s or community’s stage of inclusion.

Vermont Trails Symposium 2024
2024-09-25 00:00 - 2024-09-26 00:00 (America/New_York) | Killington Grand Hotel, 228 E Mountain Road, Killington, VT, 05751, United States
81st Vermont Conference on Recreation + Trails Symposium: September 25 & 26, 2024

We are thrilled to join forces with the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association (VRPA) to host this two-day conference dedicated to trail and recreation professionals and volunteers. With more than two dozen education and networking events, there’s something for everyone – from the grittiest trail worker to the volunteer town trails board member. View the full education session schedule here.
Nick Bennette (VMBA) & Jeff Alexander (Vermont Adaptive) will be leading ‘Enhancing Trail Accessibility: a Hands-On Adaptive Assessment’ and Sharon Plumb (VTGC) and Stephen Engle (Community Geographics) will be leading ‘Trail Accessibility Hub.’

Kelly Brush, founder of the Kelly Brush Foundation, is this year’s keynote. Keep your eyes on our enews and website – registration is open!
Scholarships are available.

NEK Candidate Forum
2024-09-13 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
VOBA, Kingdom Trail Association, Vermont Trails & Greenways Council, and the Vermont Ski Areas Association will host a community conversation for legislative candidates and their constituents from Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties on Friday, September 13 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at the Hub Trailside in Lyndonville. RSVP by 9/8.

Future of Facilitated Recreation
2024-09-05 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This session will explore challenges, opportunities, conversations and connections that are at the forefront of the profession of participant-facing facilitated recreation.
