Conservation and Recreation Visioning

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 the CRV Steering Committee will host a Community Forum at Lareau Forest & Farm Pavilion for a discussion on balancing outdoor recreation and ecological integrity. The event begins with a potluck from 5 - 6 PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share, as well as a plate and utensils to help keep this a sustainable event. There will be a cash bar and an opportunity to share perspectives informally with Steering Committee members. In addition, attendees will be able to explore an online mapping tool created for CRV by Arrowwood Environmental to help individuals see what key ecological features and public trails might be on or near their land or areas they enjoy. The structured part of the meeting will run from 6 - 8 PM. We will present the CRV Shared Vision, Values and Guiding Principles for Ongoing Collaboration on May 21st and hope you will read it in advance.and be ready with questions. Many thanks to our Steering Committee members for their tireless work during the past 3 years!

CRV Survey results here!

Goal of CRV: Through an inclusive process, a set of maps, shared goals, guiding principles, and best practices that together will provide a well-supported vision for balancing ecological integrity with recreation and trails across the Valley. These resources below are intended to help the Valley community build a shared foundation as we move forward with the work of CRV:

Third Community Forum: Bring your friends, Weds. 10/9/24

Pre-meeting Packet, please read these items ahead of the meeting:

Second Community Forum: 5/29/24

First Community Forum: 6/15/23 review the report here!

Background on CRV from October 2023

Many thanks to Mad River TV for filming various sessions. With questions or to be added to our mailing list: madrivercrv@gmail.com

  • CRV: Help us find ways to balance a great trail network with a healthy ecosystem!

    Approximately fifteen local trails and conservation groups have been working together since 2022:

    Duxbury Rep/Duxbury Land Trust: Alan Quackenbush
    Fayston Conservation Comm: Brian Litmans
    Friends of the Mad River: Ira Shadis
    Mad Dog Trout Unlimited: Clark Amadon
    Mad River Path: Misha Golfman
    Mad River Riders: Bob Kogut
    Mad River Ridge Runners: Eric Baruzzi
    Moretown Rec Committee, Stark Mountain Foundation & MRV Bear Initiative: Chris Stephenson
    MRV Backcountry Coalition: Mark Haberle
    MRV Chamber of Commerce: TJ Greenwood
    MRV Planning District (open)
    MRV Recreation District: Laura Arnesen
    Sugarbush Resort: Joey Carey
    Waitsfield Conservation Commission: Phil Huffman
    Warren Conservation Comm: George Schenk/Jim Edgecomb

  • Background: Community Learning Sessions

    12/7/23, overview of Recreation and Ecology with two speakers: Gus Goodwin of The Nature Conservancy and Drew Pollak-Bruce of Communities, Recreation, Open Space Planning and Design. Watch the session here!

    2/6/24 The Effect of Trails on Wildlife by Meredith Naughton, Wildlife Biologist with the Green Mountain-Finger Lakes National Forest: Watch the session here!