The Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub (TAH) is seeking proposals from experienced production companies to create a series of storytelling videos. TAH is a collaboration of partners: the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC), Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA), Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (VASS), and Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA). The partners combine knowledge, expertise, and passion to increase access to the outdoors for all people, regardless of their physical ability.
Read more about the Hub and submit a proposal by July 15.
The Town of Wilmington was awarded a VOREC Community Grant Program grant and has posted an RFP for contractors to improve a 2-mile stretch of the the Hoot, Toot , and Whistle Trail. Proposals are due Monday, July 29 by 4pm. Read more on the town website.
FPR and VOREC are pleased to present a Draft Vision and Priority Actions for the future of outdoor recreation in Vermont to the public for review and feedback. Community engagement sessions to collect public input are being hosted online and in-person throughout July.
Public input is also being collected through an online feedback form through July 31, 2024. Visit the Move Forward Together Vermont project website to learn more about community engagement sessions, the online feedback form, and find detailed information about the Draft Vision and Priorities.
Move Forward Together Vermont is a project of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative. The yearlong process will result in a vision and priorities for outdoor recreation in Vermont that will direct funding and resources for the next five years. Learn more at the Move Forward Together Vermont website.
In May 2024, the 51 projects receiving 2023 VOREC Community Grants were announced! These recipients stood out amongst the 127 applications the program received requesting over $21 million. Read the full press release and see a list of recipients here.
VTGC voted on its 2024 slate of board members. at the May 3 annual meeting Check it out here. Thanks to this fantastic group of volunteers. As VTGC completes its first year with a paid staff member, the board and staff have been working closely to identify organization goals and priority, and outlining achievable work plans. In the next few months, we'll also be inviting members to join committees to help move these goals forward. Keep your eyes out in coming enews' for more information.
Mark your calendars: The 81st Vermont Conference on Recreation and Trails Symposium is September 25 & 26 at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel. Kelly Brush, founder of the Kelly Brush Foundation, is the keynote speaker. Stay tuned to learn more about the many workshops led by VTGC staff, board, and members. We hope to see you there!
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail — 145 miles of which runs through Vermont — is beginning a project to understand and improve accessibility for people with mobility challenges.
The paddlers’ organization is seeking input via an online survey to help it identify needs and target future infrastructure improvements.
Thanks to everyone who came out for an amazing spring day at North Branch Nature Center. Kelly Brush Foundation’s Executive Director Edie Perkins’ keynote shared how providing people who have sustained spinal chord injuries opportunities to get outside provides them with freedom and joy. VTGC, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Upper Valley Trails Association, and Community GIS shared their plans for the Vermont Accessibility Hub, set to launch in June. Afternoon sessions allowed for networking while learning about creating regional trail systems, checking out an adaptive bike, and exploring how to create more regional opportunities for people facing disabilities to enjoy trails. More than 30 organizations were represented, including land trusts, Regional Planning Commissions, statewide and regional town trails organizations, professional trail builders, and more. Thanks for making it a great day!
Thanks to funding from the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s professional stewardship crew completed a new access to the Missisquoi River this summer in East Richford. Read more about the project here.
Recently, the Vergennes Recreation Committee celebrated the opening of 2,100-foot Vergennes Connector Trail, which includes a 155-foot wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. The trail will eventually be a 5-mile loop around the city.
November's 5th annual VOBA Outdoor Economy Summit provided a great opportunity for VTGC members to take part in statewide outdoor recreation and conservation conversations. VTGC Co-chair Nick Bennette sat on a 30x30 panel with Trey Martin (Vermont Housing & Conservation Board), Jamie Fidel (Vermont Natural Resources Council), and Shelby Semmes (Trust for Public Land) that revolved around the importance of public-access recreation as a driver for conservation. Our government affairs consultant, Jill Sudhoff-Guerin led a session on advocacy and key topics for the upcoming legislative session, with Board member Abby Long providing Council perspectives. Vice Co-Chair Mariah Keagy co-led a session on workforce issues. Governor Phil Scott and State Treasurer Mike Piecek were part of the official program, making it a great opportunity to raise not only the profile of Council priorities, but of the Council itself.
On October 19th, VTGC board members and FPR staff met with legislators to showcase the transformative benefits of outdoor recreation in rural communities. We were able to show legislators how Poultney is a great example of a town that is rebuilding new economic resilience through investing in and promoting its outdoor recreational assets. We started with a brief tour of Slate Valley Trails, led by VTGC Board member Caitrin Maloney and Sarah Pelkey, the Community Development Coordinator for the Town of Poultney. We illustrated firsthand how sustainable trail building can better withstand rainstorms like the ones we've had this summer. We then quickly caravaned to downtown Poultney and took another walk on the D&H Rail Trail, visited the Slate Valley Trails office and had a hearty lunch at the Rail Trail Eatery. Let your legislator know we look forward to working with them on H.467, so that we can create a future with healthy, ecologically-conscious, thriving Vermont communities.
East Montpelier Trails opened the Bobolink Trail, connecting the Mallory Brook Trail to Town Hill Road. Highlights of the trail include views of the mountains to the East and a beautiful new bridge built by Timber & Stone. The trail system is nearly complete, looping from the border of Montpelier, touching the border of Calais, through the heart of East Montpelier and through U-32 trails to the Cross-Vermont Trail. The trail started 30 years ago and is nearing completion at 17 miles.
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) launched the groundbreaking Move Forward Together Vermont: Designing our Outdoor Recreation Future initiative. This ambitious statewide planning endeavor combines the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and the VOREC Action Plan. It has been designed to address a critical need – creating and sustaining opportunities that strengthen Vermont’s outdoor recreation spaces and communities. There are multiple ways to engage in the process, which are listed on the project’s website.
North Branch Nature Center (NBNC) has opened not just one, but two new trails.The first trail is a Universal Access (UA) Trail, a crushed gravel path completed this summer that follows a meandering loop around the community garden at the northern end of the Nature Center’s 28-acre property.
“What is the impact of the VAST trail on Vermont’s economy?”
Reporter Howard Weiss-Tisman visits a Northeast Kingdom institution, chats with trail volunteers and jumps in the driver's seat to learn the ropes of snowmobiling.
VTGC voted on its 2024 slate of board members. at the May 3 annual meeting Check it out here. Thanks to this fantastic group of volunteers. As VTGC completes its first year with a paid staff member, the board and staff have been working closely to identify organization goals and priority, and outlining achievable work plans. In the next few months, we'll also be inviting members to join committees to help move these goals forward. Keep your eyes out in coming enews' for more information.
Mark your calendars: The 81st Vermont Conference on Recreation and Trails Symposium is September 25 & 26 at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel. Kelly Brush, founder of the Kelly Brush Foundation, is the keynote speaker. Stay tuned to learn more about the many workshops led by VTGC staff, board, and members. We hope to see you there!
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail — 145 miles of which runs through Vermont — is beginning a project to understand and improve accessibility for people with mobility challenges.
The paddlers’ organization is seeking input via an online survey to help it identify needs and target future infrastructure improvements.
Thanks to everyone who came out for an amazing spring day at North Branch Nature Center. Kelly Brush Foundation’s Executive Director Edie Perkins’ keynote shared how providing people who have sustained spinal chord injuries opportunities to get outside provides them with freedom and joy. VTGC, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Upper Valley Trails Association, and Community GIS shared their plans for the Vermont Accessibility Hub, set to launch in June. Afternoon sessions allowed for networking while learning about creating regional trail systems, checking out an adaptive bike, and exploring how to create more regional opportunities for people facing disabilities to enjoy trails. More than 30 organizations were represented, including land trusts, Regional Planning Commissions, statewide and regional town trails organizations, professional trail builders, and more. Thanks for making it a great day!
Thanks to funding from the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s professional stewardship crew completed a new access to the Missisquoi River this summer in East Richford. Read more about the project here.
Recently, the Vergennes Recreation Committee celebrated the opening of 2,100-foot Vergennes Connector Trail, which includes a 155-foot wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. The trail will eventually be a 5-mile loop around the city.
November's 5th annual VOBA Outdoor Economy Summit provided a great opportunity for VTGC members to take part in statewide outdoor recreation and conservation conversations. VTGC Co-chair Nick Bennette sat on a 30x30 panel with Trey Martin (Vermont Housing & Conservation Board), Jamie Fidel (Vermont Natural Resources Council), and Shelby Semmes (Trust for Public Land) that revolved around the importance of public-access recreation as a driver for conservation. Our government affairs consultant, Jill Sudhoff-Guerin led a session on advocacy and key topics for the upcoming legislative session, with Board member Abby Long providing Council perspectives. Vice Co-Chair Mariah Keagy co-led a session on workforce issues. Governor Phil Scott and State Treasurer Mike Piecek were part of the official program, making it a great opportunity to raise not only the profile of Council priorities, but of the Council itself.
On October 19th, VTGC board members and FPR staff met with legislators to showcase the transformative benefits of outdoor recreation in rural communities. We were able to show legislators how Poultney is a great example of a town that is rebuilding new economic resilience through investing in and promoting its outdoor recreational assets. We started with a brief tour of Slate Valley Trails, led by VTGC Board member Caitrin Maloney and Sarah Pelkey, the Community Development Coordinator for the Town of Poultney. We illustrated firsthand how sustainable trail building can better withstand rainstorms like the ones we've had this summer. We then quickly caravaned to downtown Poultney and took another walk on the D&H Rail Trail, visited the Slate Valley Trails office and had a hearty lunch at the Rail Trail Eatery. Let your legislator know we look forward to working with them on H.467, so that we can create a future with healthy, ecologically-conscious, thriving Vermont communities.
East Montpelier Trails opened the Bobolink Trail, connecting the Mallory Brook Trail to Town Hill Road. Highlights of the trail include views of the mountains to the East and a beautiful new bridge built by Timber & Stone. The trail system is nearly complete, looping from the border of Montpelier, touching the border of Calais, through the heart of East Montpelier and through U-32 trails to the Cross-Vermont Trail. The trail started 30 years ago and is nearing completion at 17 miles.
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) launched the groundbreaking Move Forward Together Vermont: Designing our Outdoor Recreation Future initiative. This ambitious statewide planning endeavor combines the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and the VOREC Action Plan. It has been designed to address a critical need – creating and sustaining opportunities that strengthen Vermont’s outdoor recreation spaces and communities. There are multiple ways to engage in the process, which are listed on the project’s website.
North Branch Nature Center (NBNC) has opened not just one, but two new trails.The first trail is a Universal Access (UA) Trail, a crushed gravel path completed this summer that follows a meandering loop around the community garden at the northern end of the Nature Center’s 28-acre property.
“What is the impact of the VAST trail on Vermont’s economy?”
Reporter Howard Weiss-Tisman visits a Northeast Kingdom institution, chats with trail volunteers and jumps in the driver's seat to learn the ropes of snowmobiling.
Congratulations to the 51 organizations who received funding in this year's four tracks: Implementation, Project Development, Outdoor Equity, and Flood Recovery. Grant recipients, FPR staff, and VOREC partners met at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports' (VASS) Pico Mountain headquarters for a May 29 Press Conference. Secretary Julie Moore, Be
Congratulations to the 51 organizations who received funding in this year's four tracks: Implementation, Project Development, Outdoor Equity, and Flood Recovery. Grant recipients, FPR staff, and VOREC partners met at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports' (VASS) Pico Mountain headquarters for a May 29 Press Conference. Secretary Julie Moore, Becca Washburn, Chair of the VOREC Steering Committee and Director of Lands Administration and Recreation for the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, and VOREC Program Manager Jackie Dagger provided remarks, followed by networking opportunities. Thank you to the many legislators, state personnel, businesses, and partners that make the VOREC Community Grant Program happen - this funding source has had an incredible impact on our state. Did you know the VOREC Community Grant Program started in 2018 with only $100,000?
FPR is hosting a
public informational meeting on June 12, 2024 from 6-8 pm at Kehoe Camp, 636 Point of Pines Road, Castleton, VT 05735. This meeting will provide a platform for discussions and presentations regarding the proposed draft plan. Additionally, we welcome feedback from June 12 to August 31, 2024, during the public comment period.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has announced their 2024 Vermont Community Leadership Summit: Forge Forward, Thrive Together! The event will take place on Tuesday, August 6th at Vermont State University in Randolph, Vermont.
Join hundreds of community builders from across the state to build skills, capacity, and connections
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has announced their 2024 Vermont Community Leadership Summit: Forge Forward, Thrive Together! The event will take place on Tuesday, August 6th at Vermont State University in Randolph, Vermont.
Join hundreds of community builders from across the state to build skills, capacity, and connections - and forge forward towards a thriving and resilient future for all. This year’s event offers a range of topics tailored to support and connect people in all aspects of local vitality and resilience and will be an opportunity to dig into what it takes for a community to thrive - capacity, economic vitality, emergency preparedness, youth engagement, inclusion, and more. Attendees can participate in any sessions of interest to them, or follow the optional “Participation Pathways” of Climate Resilience and Long-term Recovery; Youth Leadership and Engagement; or Understanding and Solving Our Persistent Challenges.
All who are interested in supporting their community and the future of the state are welcome and encouraged to attend! Visit vtrural.org/summit to learn more.
The mission of the VT Dog Hiking Challenge is to create opportunities for humans and dogs to discover new parts of Vermont, and get some fresh air and exercise at the same time. To complete the challenge you need to explore any 10 of the 36 trail options listed on the website, 13 of which are wheelchair accessible. There is a wide variet
The mission of the VT Dog Hiking Challenge is to create opportunities for humans and dogs to discover new parts of Vermont, and get some fresh air and exercise at the same time. To complete the challenge you need to explore any 10 of the 36 trail options listed on the website, 13 of which are wheelchair accessible. There is a wide variety of trails including bike paths, nature trails, rail trails, and mountain trails. This challenge is for everyone! No dog? No problem! You can do the challenge in honor of a dog, or even as a fundraiser for a local humane society. Here is an article about the challenge from Seven Days. Check out the VDHC website to learn more.
Professional trail builders can register for a training on trail construction and maintenance with an emphasis on drainage in creating and maintaining sustainable natural surface trails. The content is anchored in the Professional Trail Builders Association’s (PTBA) skills competencies for trail workers in construction and maintenance and
Professional trail builders can register for a training on trail construction and maintenance with an emphasis on drainage in creating and maintaining sustainable natural surface trails. The content is anchored in the Professional Trail Builders Association’s (PTBA) skills competencies for trail workers in construction and maintenance and current industry standard best practices.
The northern training will be instructed by L&D Trailworks, LLC and hosted by the Fellowship of the Wheel at the Sleepy Hollow Ski and Bike Center. The southern training will be instructed by Sinuosity, LLC and hosted by Stratton Bike Park. The trainings are sponsored by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance with funding from the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative community grant program.
photo L&D Trailworks
To learn more about American Trails and register for their webinars, check out their website. It's a gold mine.
State of the Sector Nonprofit Listening Tour. In an effort to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Vermont’s nonprofits and connect with organizations across the state, Common Good Vermont is hitting the road for a Nonprofit Listening Tour. They want to hear from you! What’s working? What’s not? Where are there gap areas? How can Common Good Vermont help?
Our work supports individuals and organizations who support and manage more than 7,000 miles of public trails statewide. Memberships provide funding for our work for the calendar year, January 1 through December 31, though you can join at any time.
Our tiered membership makes joining affordable to any individual or organization
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