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 conditions by developing skills and career pathways within Vermont’s outdoor economy.

As part of the initiative’s first phase, Vermont outdoor businesses and organizations are incentivized to complete an approximately 10-minute survey by January 30th, 2026 to share workforce insights and training needs to guide future investments in a climate-ready sector. 

COWI is a collaboration between VOBA, the Agency of Natural Resources Climate Action Office, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Vermont Office of Workforce Strategy and Development, and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC). The initiative focuses on strengthening the capacity of Vermont’s current outdoor professionals while attracting new workers into careers essential to climate adaptation and resilience. 

“As our outdoor recreation sector ramps up climate preparedness and resiliency solutions, VOBA’s technical assistance is most effective when aligned with statewide frameworks that protect communities, support employees and working landscapes, and sustain local economies,” said Kelly Ault, Executive Director of VOBA. “We encourage outdoor businesses of all sizes to be part of this community-wide strategy which simultaneously offers a return on investment and competitive advantage.”

COWI is a priority action of Vermont’s Resilience Implementation Strategy. Released in September 2025, the strategy was launched by Governor Scott and Treasurer Pieciak and builds on the work already being done by the Vermont state government to adapt to our changing climate, evaluate and address gaps in current services, and identify strategic funding priorities to accelerate implementation. Jane Lazorchak, Head of the Vermont Climate Action Office in the Agency of Natural Resources, said “This initiative ensures the State’s outdoor businesses—critical to our outdoor economy, one of the state’s defining strengths—has the workforce tools and pathways needed to adapt to climate change while continuing to support the resiliency of our state’s lands and communities.”

“This initiative makes it easier for people to understand the outdoor workforce, access training opportunities, and see how those skills lead to real jobs—helping businesses find talent, while giving workers clear next steps,” said Jay Ramsey, Workforce Development Director for the Vermont Department of Labor. “By leveraging career stories and targeted services, we’re building stronger pathways from education and support services into careers, including roles that may not look like traditional ‘outdoor’ or ‘climate’ jobs but are essential to the future of both the industry and the state.”

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation contributed $2.1 billion to the state’s GDP in 2023 and employed 5% of Vermont’s total workforce, compounded by Vermont’s visitation economy of almost 10%. This is an even bigger component of Vermont’s workforce when factoring in additional outdoor sector jobs such as foresters, surveyors, parks employees, and recreation managers. 

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ABOUT Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance

The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is a state-wide organization established in 2018 to educate Vermonters on outdoor recreation and businesses on business development, collaboration initiatives, and outdoor recreation policy. VOBA and its 155 members strengthen Vermont’s outdoor economy through networking & learning, business development & technical assistance, research & branding, workforce development, and advocacy. VOBA supports investment in the state’s natural and recreation resources and equitable access for all in the outdoors.  

ABOUT Agency of Natural Resources Climate Action Office

The Vermont Climate Action Office (CAO) coordinates and provides significant expertise and capacity on state-led climate initiatives, as well as the monitoring, assessment and tracking of climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience activities. The CAO is a division within the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Secretary’s Office and is focused on three core areas: 1) Climate Program Coordination; 2) On-going support of implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA); and 3) Community and Stakeholder Engagement.

ABOUT Vermont Department of Labor

The Vermont Department of Labor is committed to enhancing the lives of working Vermonters by leading the state’s workforce initiatives. Through oversight of workforce development, labor market information, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation, the Department provides comprehensive services and resources to individuals and businesses—ensuring that all Vermonters can live well, be safe, and pursue meaningful employment.

ABOUT Vermont Office of Workforce Strategy and Development

The Vermont Office of Workforce Strategy and Development (OWSD) is charged with advising the Governor on policies and practices that grow and strengthen Vermont's workforce. The Office coordinates statewide workforce initiatives, oversees the State Workforce Development Board, convenes stakeholders across the public and private sectors, and develops and implements comprehensive strategies to address the state's current and future workforce needs. 

ABOUT 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). Serving as a central hub for a broad network of outdoor recreation economy stakeholders VOREC uses data, technical assistance, policy, funding and storytelling to strengthen the connections between Vermont’s outdoor recreation resources and the benefits that come from participation in outdoor recreation.