Vermont HCR 182: House concurrent resolution designating February 5, 2026, as Outdoor Recreation Day at the State House

Bill Text

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No. R-223. House concurrent resolution designating February 5, 2026, as Outdoor
Recreation Day at the State House.
(H.C.R.182)
Offered by Representatives White of Waitsfield, Arsenault of Williston, Brown of
Richmond, Dolan of Essex Junction, Goldman of Rockingham, Houghton of Essex
Junction, Hunter of Manchester, Keyser of Rutland City, Kimbell of Woodstock,
Krowinski of Burlington, Lipsky of Stowe, McCoy of Poultney, Morrow of Weston, Ode
of Burlington, Sibilia of Dover, Stone of Burlington, Sweeney of Shelburne, Torre of
Moretown, Waters Evans of Charlotte, and Wells of Brownington
Whereas, Vermont is proud of its unparalleled and diverse natural landscape and
communities tied to outdoor recreation that are world-class tourism destinations, and
Whereas, our State’s outdoor recreational assets consist of more than 11,500 miles of
public access trails, including 217 miles of recreational rail trails; 135,000 acres of
wildlife management areas; 239,000 acres of State forests and parks; 99 picnic/day-use
areas; 196 fishing access points; and 20 alpine and 30 cross-country ski areas, and
Whereas, ninety-three percent of Vermonters annually participate in outdoor
recreation, and in 2012 Acts and Resolves No. 77, the General Assembly designated
skiing and snowboarding as the State’s official winter sports, and
Whereas, it is important that Vermont welcomes everyone to enjoy outdoor
recreational pursuits, and outdoor recreational venues embrace the intrinsic community
values of inclusion and representation, and
Whereas, outdoor recreation creates business opportunities, attracts new residents, and
offers workforce pathways that incentivize young Vermonters to remain in the State, and
Whereas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, in fiscal year 2023,
businesses in all 14 counties involved in outdoor recreation generated $2.1 billion in
economic impact, and the industry employed over 16,000 persons, comprising just over
five percent of the Vermont workforce, and
Whereas, Move Forward Together Vermont, Vermont’s Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan, establishes a vision to foster healthy and vibrant communities
through outdoor recreation, and
Whereas, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day is an occasion to celebrate the importance
of outdoor recreation to Vermont’s landscape, economy, quality of life, and the mental
and physical well-being of Vermonters and visitors, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly designates February 5, 2026, as Vermont Outdoor
Recreation Day at the State House, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
the Secretary of Commerce and Community Development; the Secretary of Natural

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Resources; the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation; and the Commissioner of
Tourism and Marketing.