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Field Notes


Outdoor Recreation Day at the Statehouse - Feb 5
Capitol Building, 115 State Street & Pavilion Building, 109 State Street, Montpelier Thursday, February 5 from 8:00 - 3:30 pm Schedule 8:00-9:00 Coffee in the Governor’s Office - Statehouse, Ceremonial Office 8:00 - 8:50 House Caucus on Vermont Economy (tentative) 9:15-11:00 - Pavilion Building, rm 110 Governor Scott (invited) Commissioner Danielle Fitzko, Dept of Forest, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Heather Pelham, Dept of Tourism and Marketing Issue Messaging Sessio
Kelly Ault
4 days ago2 min read


Climate Outdoor Workforce Initiative: Take the Survey
Vermont businesses are invited to provide input for recruiting and retaining outdoor recreation employees with climate-resilient skills. Montpelier, VT (January 22, 2026) — The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) has launched the Vermont Climate Outdoors Workforce Initiative (COWI), bringing together state agencies and industry leaders to expand and market a climate-resilient workforce—roles that help the state and businesses prepare for and respond to changing climate

VOBA
6 days ago4 min read


Resilient Outdoor Assessment & Management
ROAM, Resilient Outdoor Assessment and Management, is a step-by-step framework developed by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance to help Vermont’s outdoor businesses and organizations build climate resilience.

VOBA
Dec 17, 20257 min read


VOBA Summit Success
OVER 150 RECREATION LEADERS ATTEND 7TH ANNUAL VERMONT OUTDOOR ECONOMY SUMMIT AT BURKE MOUNTAIN RESORT Donna Carpenter and the Carpenter Family of Burton Snowboards Honored with Sen. Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award East Burke, VT (Dec. 1, 2025) The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) hosted the 7th Annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit in November at Burke Mountain Resort last month, convening 155 outdoor industry businesses, organizations, and policymakers fo

VOBA
Dec 2, 20253 min read


Vermont Conservation Plan: Register for 3/9 Outdoor Recreation Listening Session
Register for the Outdoor Recreation Listening Session hosted by VOBA, Vermont Trails and Greenways Council and the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association on Monday, March 9 from noon - 1 pm. Many Vermonters are aware that Vermont has a legal mandate to conserve 30% of the state by 2030, a requirement set in place in 2023 as part of Act 59, otherwise known as the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act (CRBPA). Act 59 also set a more ambitious long-term goal of

VOBA
Nov 28, 20254 min read


2026 VOBA Policy Advocacy
Act 59 Vermont Conservation Plan Summary of the VCP process, role of outdoor recreation, and opportunitites for outdoor business and organization engagement Resilience Implementation Strategy Tier 1 activities Act 181 and Tier 3 Rulemaking Process VEDA VEDA Disaster Recovery Loan Fund BEGAP VOREC community grant program

VOBA
Nov 12, 20251 min read



VOBA
Nov 6, 20250 min read


Agenda: 11/13 Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit
8:00 - 9:00 Guided Walk - Patio in front of Willoughby’s restaurant Jon Schaefer, COO and Co-Owner, Bear Den Partners' Burke Mountain Resort & Brandon Sauer, Marketing Project Manager, Darn Tough Vermont 8:30 - 9:15 Networking Coffee & Sponsor Exhibits 9:15 - 9:25 - Ballroom Opening & Elections , Kelly Ault, Executive Director, VOBA Land Acknowledgement , Miguel Reda, Director of Communications, Unlikely Riders Welcome , Jon Schaefer, COO and Co-Owner, Bear Den Partne

VOBA
Oct 13, 20255 min read


VOBA to Present 2025 Sen. Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award to Donna Carpenter and Family
The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is pleased to announce that the 2025 Sen. Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award will go to Burton Snowboards owner Donna Carpenter and her family. The award presentation will be held on Nov. 13 at the Burke Mountain Resort & Conference Center during VOBA’s seventh annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit.

VOBA
Oct 13, 20255 min read


Resilient by Nature
Vermont’s outdoor industry is more than recreation—it’s a leader in innovation, climate adaptation, and sustainable business models. This year, the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is hosting a series of events and opportunities under the theme Resilient by Nature, designed to help businesses prepare for uncertainty, embrace circular systems, and thrive in a changing economy.

VOBA
Sep 24, 20252 min read


Upcoming VOBA Professional Skills Trainings
The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is excited to announce a new series of free professional skills trainings designed to help outdoor industry professionals sharpen their expertise and advance their careers.

VOBA
Sep 10, 20252 min read


VOBA Trailblazer Legacy Award Nominations
Nominations for the Fifth Annual Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award are being accepted here until 5:00 pm on September 12. VOBA...
Kelly Ault
Sep 4, 20251 min read


VOBA Hosts Outdoor Innovation Showcase at Burton Snowboards
On Thursday, August 21st at 3pm, the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) will partner with the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic...
Kelly Ault
Aug 24, 20252 min read


VOBA Professional Skills Trainings
Register now for a fall training hosted by VOBA! Further your career and your skills.

VOBA
Aug 21, 20251 min read


The 2025 Summer & Fall Event Schedule
From innovation and equity to climate resilience and career development—VOBA’s upcoming events are shaping the future of Vermont’s outdoor sector

VOBA
Jul 17, 20252 min read


VOBA Trail & Bike Professional Trainings
Last spring, VOBA administered 10 professional development trainings thanks to Economic Development Authority - Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation funding through the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.

VOBA
Jul 13, 20252 min read


Switchback Spring Trade Show
VOBA and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development hosted a booth at the June Switchback Spring show in Nashville, TN.

VOBA
Jul 10, 20251 min read


VOBA Diversity Statement
As stated in our mission, VOBA is dedicated to the conservation of the natural landscape, stewardship of recreation infrastructure, and diversity, equity and inclusion in work spaces and outdoor places.

VOBA
Jun 4, 20252 min read


Small Business Leaders Gather to Strengthen Outdoor Business Agility in Changing Times
On May 14, the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) hosted 50 small business leaders and service providers from across the State at...

VOBA
May 14, 20252 min read


Breakfast Workshop: Strengthening Outdoor Business Agility in Changing Times
Over the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, Vermont outdoor businesses and organizations have been assessing impacts from changes related to tariffs, reduced Canadian and international visitation, consumer spending, federal grant cuts, reduced access to recreation places, and workforce reductions within the federal government and AmeriCorps.

VOBA
May 8, 20252 min read


VOBA Professional Trail Skills: Saw Training
Trail clearing and storm damage cleanup presents a very dangerous situation that is
compounded by the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related weather
events.

VOBA
Apr 18, 20251 min read


VOBA Professional Bicycle Mechanic Skills: Retail Suspension Service
Are you a mechanic or paid staff member of a Vermont bicycle retailer offering suspension service to customers?

VOBA
Apr 17, 20251 min read


VOBA Professional Trail Skills Training: Water Management
With the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related hydrological events in Vermont, designing and maintaining trails with adequate drainage structures is key to the resiliency of trail networks and communities.

VOBA
Apr 17, 20251 min read


Vermont Outdoor Community Celebrates Success, Urges Strategic Investment in the Sector
Over 100 non-profit trail stewards, outdoor business owners, ski area managers, and municipal leaders traveled to the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday for the second annual Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day to share the success of the sector and to urge strategic investment in our outdoor businesses that foster the healthy, resilient communities we want to live and play in.
compounded by the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related weather
events.

VOBA
Feb 12, 20254 min read

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