House devotional by Kelly Brush and resolution. Photos by John Atkinson/Catamount Outdoor Family Center.
Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day 2024
Vermont Business Magazine Over 85 non-profit trail stewards, outdoor business owners, ski area managers, and municipal leaders came to the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday for the inaugural Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day and to advocate for strategic investment for the future of outdoor recreation in Vermont.
The outdoor recreation economy brings $1.9 billion annually into Vermont, amounting to 4.6% of State GDP. Nationally, Vermont ranks second only to Hawaii for outdoor recreation contribution as a percentage of state GDP, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC), Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) and the Vermont Ski Areas Association (Ski Vermont) held a press conference seeking State funding for a comprehensive economic impact study, trail stewardship, flood recovery, and climate resiliency and adaptation.
Rep. Kari Dolan (D-Waitsfield) kicked off the press conference by reminding us why we love to play outside in Vermont.
“A big reason why we all love Vermont is our state’s outdoors. Whether you ski or board, boat or canoe, bike or hike, hunt or birdwatch or all the above, the Vermont outdoors delivers. This is our first ever Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day at the Statehouse, where we put a spotlight on our beautiful state and celebrate the importance of outdoor recreation to Vermonters and visitors, the growing outdoor recreation business sector, and the economic vitality of our communities.”
Treasurer Mike Pieciak, was there to speak in support of the vital role the outdoor recreation sector plays in the state’s financial outlook.
“Outdoor recreation is not only critical to Vermont's economic future and building vibrant, healthy communities, but it is also foundational to our state's brand. Last summer, the major credit rating agencies highlighted the value of outdoor recreation in supporting Vermont's robust tourist economy and attracting workers and young families to our state. As the industry continues to outpace projections, we must support our local outdoor recreation businesses and preserve and protect our state's unique landscapes, ensuring their availability for future generations to enjoy."
Sen. Kesha Ram-Hinsdale (D-Chittenden- Southeast) reminded us that recreators are also conservationists, and by ensuring everyone has access to the outdoors, we can preserve our natural landscape.
“The importance of welcoming everyone to enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits cannot be overstated, embracing our intrinsic community values of inclusion and representation. Vermont’s outdoors belong to everyone. The time is now, the outdoor sector and its workforce is well positioned to be climate-ready in order to ensure Vermont’s prosperity and natural places into the future.”
Lindsay DeLauriers, President of Bolton Valley Ski Resort, spoke of the value a comprehensive economic impact study could have in directing investment into stewardship and climate adaptation to ensure they can create a four-season outdoor experience.
“I was lucky enough to grow up skiing and playing in the same outdoors that I am now raising my own daughter in and am leading the modernization of Bolton Valley Ski Resort, a three-generation family business. Through optimizing our outdoor recreational assets and rightsizing investment into stewardship and climate adaptation we can meet the demand for our skiers, riders, and mountain bikers. create growth opportunities for our workforce, and build healthy, resilient communities across our State."
Caleb Magoon, Owner of Waterbury Sports and Power Play Sports in Morrisville, described how last year’s flooding drove home the importance of shoring up small businesses located in downtowns and villages.
“Outdoor businesses across the state drive local economies and ensure quality recreation experiences for Vermonters and visitors. However, the floods showed the fragility of the system and financial assistance is still needed for businesses and organizations to get back at full strength to provide products and services for those enjoying Vermont’s outdoors.”
The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is a state-wide organization working to strengthen Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. VOBA’s 135 outdoor businesses provide products and services to Vermonters and visitors and work together on entrepreneurship, career pathways, and sector branding. VOBA supports the natural and recreation resources we depend on and is dedicated to advancing equitable access for all in the workplace and outdoor spaces. www.vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org
The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC) is an member-based, independent nonprofit that works to advance outdoor recreation in Vermont and serves as official advisory body to the Agency of Natural Resources through the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR).
The Council is made up of 30+ Vermont trail stewardship organizations, municipalities, and supporting practitioners and was founded in 1989 to ensure that people will always have access to the trails and landscape of Vermont.
A non-profit trade association founded in 1969 to serve alpine and cross-country ski areas, the Vermont Ski Areas Association (Ski Vermont) is a proud ambassador of the thriving winter tourism industry in Vermont, where skiing and snowboarding are the official state winter sports.
The top ski state in the east and among the top destinations in the US, Vermont boasts world-class snowmaking quality, coverage, and efficiency, a wide variety of terrain, and profound historical impact on the sports of skiing and snowboarding - making it one of the most significant ski and ride destinations in the world.
Ski Vermont’s mission is to help maintain an environment in which the state’s ski areas can grow and prosper. Ski Vermont serves its 21 Alpine and 26 Cross Country member resorts in three major areas: Governmental Affairs, Marketing and Public Affairs.
Source: Montpelier, VT - Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance www.vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org
