Updates
4/14/2025-
The next VOREC Steering Committee meeting will be held virtually on Friday, June 20 from 11am - 12pm. All Steering Committee meetings are open to the public. Please see the "Get Involved" section below for more information on how to participate.
Check-out our full Meeting Schedule for 2025.
Who we are
The Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) is a state program administered by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) in partnership with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD).
A 15-person Steering Committee of public/private partners from across Vermont represent different sectors of outdoor recreation economy and inform the direction of the program.
Our work strengthens connections between Vermont’s outdoor recreation resources and the benefits that come from participation in outdoor recreation using Data, Technical Assistance, Policy, Funding, and Storytelling.
To learn more about VOREC explore our content below using the “Quick links” provided.
Quick links
- Program overview
- Core Concepts
- Projects
- Meet our Program Manager
- Meet our Steering Committee
- Get Involved
- Partners
- Resources
Program Overview
VOREC was established by Executive Order #11-17 signed by Governor Phil Scott in June 2017. The Executive Order tasks VOREC with promoting prudent stewardship of State recreation assets and marketing the outdoor recreation values and attributes of Vermont to effectively foster economic growth.
Mission
Convene a multi-sector network of collaborators that share resources, communicate openly, and reinforce work across outdoor recreation sectors to create a common culture of meaning.
Purpose
To stimulate a healthy outdoor recreation economy in Vermont that fosters partnership and connection across people, place and commerce so that all may thrive.
The Impact
- Data that identifies needs, gaps and assets to inform decisions.
- Policy that optimizes Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy.
- Funding that’s sufficient, flexible, and sustainable.
- Technical Assistance that facilitates the availability of services to provide relevant topic and process expertise.
- Storytelling that helps communities, partners, and individuals understand their collective contributions to outdoor economy in Vermont.
Core Concepts
Outdoor Recreation Economy in Vermont
Outdoor recreation economy in Vermont drives economic growth and enhances community well-being resulting from recreation outdoors that is supported by people, place and commerce. Partnerships among local and state government, businesses, and organizations play a vital role in maintaining the connections between these three key elements.
- People: Individuals who recreate outdoors, operate businesses, and contribute to the planning and stewardship of Vermont’s outdoor spaces. Their needs include reliable information, support, accessibility, safety, affordability, and a sense of belonging. Meeting these needs involves developing best practices and models, creating inclusive outdoor opportunities, promoting active lifestyles, and maintaining the infrastructure and services that support participation.
- Place: The natural landscape, built environment, and community services that enable outdoor recreation. This includes forests, waterways, trails, parks, and community spaces. Maintaining access to these places and ensuring a healthy environment requires conservation, infrastructure investments, and thoughtful planning.
- Commerce: The economic activity that’s fueled by outdoor recreation, ranging from tourism and hospitality to the production and sale of outdoor gear. A strong recreation economy depends on thriving businesses, sustainable tourism, and communities that support outdoor-driven investments.
Collective Impact
Collective impact is a network of community members, organizations and institutions who advance a common goal by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve systems level change. (Source: What Is Collective Impact - Collective Impact Forum)
Projects
VOREC Community Grants Program
This funding opportunity was established in 2018 when the Vermont legislature passed Act 194. Through public forums and surveys the VOREC Steering Committee identified the need to create a source of funding for the purpose of helping municipalities across the state implement projects identified in their municipal planning goals that build local economies with outdoor recreation at the center.
The grant started as a pilot program with $100,000 in 2018 and now has received two allocations of $5 million one-time general funds. The first allocation of $5 million was granted out in 2021 and the second award is accepting applications through December 2023.
The grant program website is kept up-to-date and information about the next round of applications will be posted once available.
Related resources
- 2021 VOREC Community Grant one-pager to Legislature (February 2021)
- 2020 VOREC Community Grant Report to Legislature (January 15, 2020)
Move Forward Together Vermont: Designing our Outdoor Recreation Future
Visit the Project website
Move Forward Together Vermont is a strategic vision for the state's outdoor recreation economy over the next five years and beyond. This guide to the future of outdoor recreation in Vermont comes after extensive engagement with thousands of Vermont residents, business owners, outdoor recreation planners, funders, and users. Over an 18-month period, focus groups, surveys, and feedback sessions yielded an unprecedented set of data that shaped the vision and priority actions for strengthening Vermont's outdoor recreation economy. Check-out more information about the vision, priority actions, and data that resulted through the Move Forward Together Vermont StoryMap.
The success of the vision and priority actions depends on the collaboration and engagement of outdoor recreation partners from all sectors. The plan calls on partners to work together to address challenges, share resources, and implement best practices. VOREC will play a key role in monitoring progress, monitoring challenges, and ensuring that the shared vision for Vermont's outdoor recreation economy is realized.
VOREC Action Plan
View our current Action Plan (2018)
This is an evolving document and will continue to be updated as VOREC's work moves forward
The VOREC Steering Committee is tasked through Executive Order #11-17 with developing and maintaining a strategy and specific action plan with measurable outcomes for the purpose of strengthening Vermont's outdoor recreation economy. Action must at a minimum:
- Contribute to efforts to market the outdoor recreation values and attributes of Vermont to effectively foster economic growth.
- Examine and promote laws, policies and initiatives that encourage outdoor recreation business.
- Strengthen stewardship of outdoor recreation resources and the organizations that support them.
- Mobilize the members of the VOREC to develop and implement the initiatives of the VOREC Committee.
- Encourage, incentivize, and guide the development of community-oriented outdoor recreation assets increasing economic impacts.
The current action plan was created in 2018 from feedback gathered through a series of public forums held across the state in Arlington, East Dummerston, Hartford / White River Junction, Island Pond, Rutland, Saint Albans and Waterbury. Feedback was also collected through a public engagement survey (Survey Charts) and emailed comments. It reflects the actions Vermonters have suggested will make the biggest impact for improving outdoor recreation opportunities in the state.
Related resources:
- 2020 Annual Report to Governor
- 2019 Annual Report to Governor
- VOREC Recommendations
- Governor Scott’s Press release on VOREC Recommendations
- Governor Scott’s Press Conference on VOREC Recommendations
Meet our Program Manager
Jackie Dagger was hired to support the VOREC Program in April 2021. In this role, she is responsible for leading efforts to enhance the VOREC program and strengthen Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. Dagger began her career in outdoor education before moving into consulting and then public service. After growing up in Woodstock, Vermont she moved to Washington state where she worked with local municipalities and state and federal agencies to develop and lead public engagement and outreach projects focused on transportation, wastewater management, and municipal planning. Jackie loves playing outside and can be found around Vermont enjoying some of her favorite places on skis, by foot or climbing up rocks. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from George Washington University and is a graduate of Seattle Antioch University’s Center for Creative Change.
Meet our Steering Committee
How it works
The VOREC Steering Committee is made up of 15 member positions which represent a wide variety of stakeholders in Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy. To see current steering committee members and the communities they represent take a look at the Steering Committee Member table below.
To find more information about upcoming meetings see the Get Involved section. Information about what the steering committee has been discussing is recorded in our recent meeting materials and virtual meetings are recorded and posted to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation YouTube channel.
Steering Committee Chair
Becca Washburn, Director
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR)
Division of Lands Administration and Recreation
Service Start: 2023
Steering Committee Vice Chair
Heather Pelham, Commissioner
Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD)
Department of Marketing and Tourism
Service Start: 2023
Steering Committee Members
Member | Organization | Rec Community | Location | Service Start | Current Term End |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jeff Alexander | Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports | Outdoor Recreation Non-profits (Adaptive Rec) | 2024 | June 2026 | |
Frazier Blair | Orvis | Outdoor Recreation Industry (Manufacturing) | Manchester | 2022 | June 2025 |
Mike Debonis | Green Mountain Club | Outdoor Recreation Non-profits (Hiking) | Waterbury Center | 2017 | June 2025 |
Abby Long | Kingdom Trails Association | VTGC Non-motorized Recreation | East Burke | 2019 | June 2025 |
Tommy O'Connor | Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association | VTGC Motorized Recreation | Barre | 2024 | June 2026 |
Sarah Pelkey | Town of Poultney | Economic Development Member-At-Large | 2024 | June 2026 | |
Yva Rose | Lamoille Valley Bike Tours | Outdoor Recreation Industry (Guide Service) | 2024 | June 2026 | |
Josh Ryan | Timber and Stone, LLC | Outdoor Recreation Industry (Trail Building) | East Montpelier | 2017 | June 2025 |
Shelby Semmes | Trust for Public Land (TPL) | Conservation Non-profits | Montpelier | 2020 | June 2025 |
Drew Simmons | Pale Morning Media | Outdoor Recreation Industry (Media) | Waitsfield | 2017 | June 2025 |
Frank Stanley | VT Traditions Coalition | Outdoor Recreation Planning Member-At-Large | Monkton | 2018 | June 2025 |
Karrie Thomas | Northern Forest Canoe Trail | Outdoor Recreation Non-profits (Paddling) | Waitsfield | 2019 | June 2025 |
Vacant positions
VOREC is working through active steering committee members and partners to fill these positions
- Outdoor Recreation Industry
Meeting Materials
- 2025 meeting materials
- 2024 meeting materials
- 2023 meeting materials
- 2022 meeting materials
- 2021 meeting materials
- 2020 meeting materials
- 2019 meeting materials
- 2018 meeting materials
- 2017 meeting materials
Guiding Documents
Get Involved
Upcoming events
Next Steering Committee Meeting
Friday, June 20 from 11 - 12 p.m.
Meeting ID: 249 105 620 066
Passcode: 9wp62Gj9
Join by phone
+1 802-828-7667
Conference ID: 391 899 516#
Steering Committee meeting agendas will be posted at least five business days ahead of the meeting.
Join our email list
Share your first name, last name, organization and email address using our Microsoft Form.
Notifications may include: Bi-monthly notifications ahead of Steering Committee meetings, information about Move Forward Together Vermont, and opportunities to join in partner events.
Contact us
Jackie Dagger
802-636-7410
jackie.dagger@vermont.gov
Becca Washburn
802-793-3432
becca.washburn@vermont.gov
Resources
Funding opportunities
State Funding and Assistance
Federal Funding and Assistance
- Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) Program
- Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RCTA) Program
- Vermont Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
- Vermont Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
- Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC)
Outdoor recreation economy information
Local
- Mad River Valley Active Transportation Plan
- Vermont Trails and Greenways Council Economic Impact Study
- Vermont ACCD Tourism Research
- Vermont Outdoor Industry Association Report
- The Gund Center’s Economic of Conservation Study
- Trust for Public Land: Vermont Return on Investment in Land Conservation
Regional
National