The Vermont Trails & Greenways Council seeks to ensure that people will always have access to adequate land and water-based trails and greenways.
Vermonters and visitors continue to take to the roads and trails on foot, bicycles, horses and machines in increasing numbers. Our trails and greenways provide a bounty of benefits beyond the pleasure of recreation. More and more people are taking personal responsibility for their fitness and discovering the benefits of regular walking. Bicycling to work has seen a large jump particularly since the increase in gasoline prices. People of all ages are learning about Vermont’s natural and cultural heritage through an increasing variety of trail-based educational programs. Neighbors and friends in every Vermont community enjoy the social benefits of trails that connect important public places such as schools, parks and forests.
Our dedication to nurturing the creation of Vermont’s trails and greenways and protecting them from demise continues. Our diverse membership continues to work in concert on important issues such as increasing funding for trail planning and development, protecting the public rights-of-way, easing regulatory permitting, and fostering good landowner relationships. We continue to provide important planning and educational resources through our newsletter, publications, website and our trails tracks at the Governor’s Conference on Recreation in October.
To remain a viable force in shaping the future of Vermont recreation, VT&GC needs to maintain an active membership and continue foster partnerships with the private, public and non-profit interests. We will continue to fulfill and expand our statutory designation as an advisory council to state government and increase our membership and participation among local municipalities and trail related commercial interests. We are actively recruiting new members and contributors so that we can expand the services of the council and strengthen our staff support. Please take a minute to consider joining and supporting the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council so that we can keep up our important work.
Catamount Trail Association
The Catamount Trail (CT) is a 300-mile public-access, winter-use only, ski trail that runs the length of Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada. It is a cross-country ski trail that has been in the making since 1984 and was fully linked together in 2008. Thousands of skiers and snowshoers take to the trail every winter season — most for the day, many on Catamount Trail Association (CTA) tours, and some to ski end-to-end — all enjoying the backcountry, touring center, farmland and village surroundings along the way. The CTA is a non-profit, member-driven organization that develops, manages, and conserves the CT. The CTA builds partnerships to support the Trail, and fosters awareness and stewardship of Vermont’s diverse landscapes through promotion and use of the Trail. The organization also advocates backcountry and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for the quality of life, recreational, health, economic and educational benefits they provide. The CTA, based in Burlington, publishes the Catamount Trail Guidebook, a complete section-by-section guide to the 300-mile trail. Learn more about the CTA, its winter tours, and other special events held throughout the year at www.catamounttrail.org.
Current Trail Conditions Website
This wesbite offers a place to find and offer current trail conditions all over New England. Check out the Vermont page and let them know what it’s like out there!
Council Awards to be Given at Symposium!
This year’s Council Award winners have been notified, and we are thrilled! These awards will be handed out at our Symposium on October 15th.
Our award categories include:
David Kingsbury Smith Award: given to the individual who exemplifies a life-long dedication to trail stewardship and who has, through their efforts, made a significant contribution to trails in Vermont.
More events will be posted soon.
