On Wednesday, February 12th, 115+ outdoor recreation advocates took to the capital building in Montpelier as part of the 2nd annual Outdoor Recreation Day at the State House.
Advocates – including VMBA Ambassador Kim Bean – got the day started with a coffee reception. Photo: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
The event, co-hosted by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance, Ski Vermont, the Vermont Recreation & Parks Association, the Kelly Brush Foundation, Unlikely Riders, and The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council – which VMBA chairs – included coffee and lunch sessions to engage with legislators, testimony from outdoor rec advocates in five legislative committees, and a press conference. Throughout the day, messaging emphasized both the value of outdoor recreation – now responsible for nearly 5% of State GDP, second only to Hawaii – and the challenges it faces as we work to address deferred maintenance, fill experience gaps, and adapt to climate change.
Treasurer Mike Pieciak opened the day’s press conference speaking about the Outdoor Recreation Economy. Photo: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
Outdoor Rec Day also provided our advocates the opportunity to communicate the importance of two trail-specific pieces of legislation that we have been working on this session. Seth Westbrook, WAMBA Board Director and S6 trail boss, testified in the Senate Transportation Committee on S.4, An act relating to maintenance and use of legal trails, which would clarify the right of municipalities to manage and maintain these important public rights-of-way. The need for S.4 was made clear in the current battle over public access to a Legal Trail in Tunbridge, which could see the town lose the ability to maintain an important Legal Trail for bicycles and other nonmotorized use.
Nick speaks with Representative Gregg Burtt, of Cabot, who hosts public trails on his land. Photo: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
Our Executive Director, Nick Bennette, testified in House Agriculture, Food Security, and Forestry on H.147, an act that would establish a Recreational Trails Compensation Study Committee. H.147 would take a critical step towards a program that would officially recognize landowners who host public access trails, similar to how the Current Use program lowers appraised value for landowners who actively farm, log, or conserve their land. The Committee also heard from trail builders Tom Lepesqueur and James Patterson of L&D Trailworks, who spoke to the accomplishments and challenges the industry faces in Vermont.
Kingdom Trails Association Executive Director Abby Long testifies in the Senate Agriculture Committee (with WAMBA Director Seth Westbrook awaiting his turn) Photo: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
Scheduled events for the day wrapped up just like any good outdoor rec get-together should – with pizza – and facilitated conversations about stewardship, wellness, and economic impact. The afternoon then saw a ceremonial reading of House concurrent resolution H.C.R.24, officially designated the day as Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day at the State House in order to celebrate the importance of outdoor recreation to the economy, the quality of life, and the mental and physical well-being of Vermonters and visitors.
We will share updates on S.4 and H.147 as the session progresses, and let you know if and when we need your help in communicating the importance of these bills to your local lawmakers.