Mission
The Upper Valley Trails Alliance advocates for the development, use, and maintenance of trails in the region. Through education, outreach & stewardship we:
- connect people and places through a regional trail network
- lead a coalition of local trail groups and advocates
- promote active lifestyles through trail use in all seasons
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Upper Valley Trails Alliance is committed to making the outdoors available to all. We believe that access to nature is essential to individual and community health and well-being. Trails connect us to the natural world and to each other, promoting curiosity, learning, and wellness. They literally shape the way we move through the world. Therefore, it is imperative that we who do trail work make our intentions clear.
Our motto, “People, Paths, Possibilities” asserts our mission: advocating for, developing, and maintaining a regional network of paths connecting people to possibilities – all people, all possibilities.
In practice this means that we – Board, Staff, Alliance Partners, Members, Volunteers – act in ways that further diversity, equity, and inclusion. Just as nature depends upon diverse ecosystems for survival, we embrace all who seek our trails, regardless of race; ethnicity or nationality; gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation; socio-economic status; age; disability; accessibility needs; religion or worship practices; veteran or military service status; education; or political affiliation. Everyone is safe and welcome here.
Our work reflects our commitment to these ideals:
- We sustainably develop and maintain trails throughout the Upper Valley, often in underserved communities.
- We connect people to the outdoors by providing accurate information and education to all in the following ways:
- We host Trail Finder: a FREE, comprehensive trail database with 700+ trail systems and 2,000 individual trails in Vermont/New Hampshire.
- We strive to combat “nature-deficit-disorder” by connecting elementary age children and their families to the outdoors through the Passport to Winter Fun With 31 schools and 32 home-school groups currently, Passport has reached more than 50,000 children and their families in the last decade.
- We inspire a rising generation of trail stewards through the Upper Valley High School Trail Corps program, fielding five trail crews every summer.
- We supply equipment and consulting services through organizational membership and access to our lending toolshed.
- Wherever possible, we construct trails that are accessible to all users regardless of experience or physical limitations.
- We partner with people and organizations who share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Strategic Vision 2025:
The UVTA will be the recognized leader and preferred partner for trail development, programs, information, and support in the region, creating an extensive, accessible, and integrated Upper Valley trail system for use by all residents.
Strategies
Develop
Sustainably grow, maintain, and standardize regional trail networks
- Incorporate previously identified trails into a regional network of publicly accessible and identifiable trails
- Expand and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with pertinent stakeholders, including mechanized and non-mechanized trail user/owner groups and private companies in the region
- Utilize a range of marketing tools, including Trail Finder, to promote use of and engagement with trails
- Work with land owners to ensure permanent access to and sustainability of trails
Connect
Engage adults and children in trail use and trail work by growing our educational and programmatic offerings
- Sustainably expand reach of existing programs
- Create new programmatic offerings to meet the needs of the broader trail community and of alliance members
- Proactively reach out to current and potential members of the trail community to communicate the services we offer
Advocate
Work with all stakeholders, from everyday hikers to policymakers, to implement a shared vision for regional trail stewardship
- Strengthen the alliance by cultivating intra-alliance relationships, holding regular gatherings, facilitating knowledge-sharing, and proactively communicating
- Communicate across many platforms to promote our shared vision
- Empower alliance members and community leaders to advocate for our shared vision
