AGP Executive Report

Vermont Outdoors & Conservation: Vermont added nearly 400 acres to three state forest properties (Underhill, Granville, Roxbury), expanding public access while protecting floodplains, wildlife habitat, and water resources. Local Health Fundraiser: The second annual Cardiac Champ Challenge returned to St. Albans at Kill Kare State Park, raising money to strengthen local heart care at Northwestern Medical Center. Glamping & Camping Trends: A look at what’s new in glamping across the region, where “real beds” can cost far more than traditional camping—but often come with easier comfort. State Forest Access: New parcels include a Mount Mansfield State Forest addition near the Sunset Ridge hiking trail, plus other connected lands aimed at preserving outdoor traditions. Road & Travel Disruptions: Vermont’s AOT road construction report lists multiple I-89 and I-91 paving and lane-closure impacts for the week of July 27. Safety on the Roads: Vermont State Police issued a traffic alert for a Brookfield-area shutdown on I-89 SB near mm 37.6 due to a tractor-trailer crash. Community Events: Bennington County’s Third Annual New Vermonters Welcome Picnic is set for Aug. 23 at Lake Paran, a free event for recent arrivals. Education Outdoors: Ludlow’s Expeditionary School at Black River (ESBR) is launching its OWLS outdoor learning and wilderness survival program for 2026-2027.

Land Conservation: The Upper Valley Land Trust secured a $100,000 grant to permanently conserve 120 acres on Houghton Hill in Thetford, protecting hiking trails and a “minimally fragmented” forest network. Outdoor Access & State Forests: Vermont added nearly 400 acres to three state forest properties (Underhill, Granville, Roxbury), expanding public hiking and protecting floodplains, wildlife habitat, and clean water. Glamping & Summer Stays: A new look at glamping highlights why “glamorous camping” is booming, with real beds and on-site comforts priced well above traditional camping. Events for Visitors: Sunday’s Vermont calendar includes the Flow State Mountain Bike Festival in West Windsor, the Jig in the Valley in Fairfield, and more. Safety on the Road: Vermont State Police reported a DUI arrest after a single-car crash on VT Route 110 in Chelsea, with additional charges including false reports. Wildlife Science: Researchers found the first known transmissible freshwater fish cancer in Lake Memphremagog, raising new questions about disease spread in nature. Health & Outdoors: A tick-safety guide notes Vermont’s high tick illness rates and offers practical tips for staying bite-free while hiking. Heat & Cooling: Lawrence, elsewhere in the region, is urging heat precautions with cooling options like community buildings and splash pads. Traffic Planning: Vermont’s weekly road work update flags I-89 and I-91 paving and ramp closures, with overnight closures and detours expected.

Road & Access Updates: Vermont Business Magazine lists major July 27 highway work, including I-89 paving in Bethel–Brookfield, I-91 Exit 3 ramp closures in Brattleboro, and I-89 south lane delays in Montpelier–Waterbury—expect slowdowns and detours. Outdoor & Family Fun: The Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville opens nearly a week early (30+ acres of 6-foot corn, snowflake theme) after camper and traveler demand. Wildfire Safety: Fairfax firefighters responded to an unattended, unpermitted brush fire visible from I-89; residents are reminded to get permits and note fire danger is high in Northern Vermont. Conservation & Public Lands: Vermont adds nearly 400 acres to three state forests (Underhill, Granville, Roxbury), expanding hiking, hunting, fishing, and habitat protection. Health & Community: Green Mountain Care Board chair Owen Foster steps down effective Sept. 30 but stays on the board, as Vermont continues wrestling with hospital budgets and insurance costs. Local Events: Bennington County’s Third Annual New Vermonters Welcome Picnic returns Aug. 23 at Lake Paran, aiming to connect new residents.

State Forest Expansion: Vermont added nearly 400 acres to three state forest properties (Underhill, Granville, Roxbury), boosting public access for hiking, hunting, fishing, and exploration while protecting floodplains, wildlife habitat, and clean water. Healthcare Leadership: Gov. Phil Scott says Owen Foster will step down as chair of the Green Mountain Care Board Sept. 30, though he’ll stay on the board as a regular member as Vermont continues wrestling with hospital costs and insurance premiums. Outdoor Travel & Lodging Trends: A new look at glamping highlights why “glamorous camping” is booming—real beds, on-site bathrooms, and higher nightly prices (often $200+), compared with traditional camping costs. Community & Tourism Events: The Third Annual New Vermonters Welcome Picnic is set for Aug. 23 at Lake Paran in Bennington County, aiming to help new residents build connections. Safety for Visitors: Vermont’s health officials are tracking tick risk year-round, with peak activity in June–August, urging people to check after time outdoors. Travel Disruption Watch: Vermont Business Magazine lists upcoming highway construction affecting I-89 and I-91, with lane closures and detours that could slow trips.

Vermont Travel & Lodging: The Manchester View in Vermont’s Green Mountains just finished a renovation that keeps the classic look while refreshing 36 rooms and suites, with many offering private balconies and fireplaces—good news for travelers planning a summer stay. Outdoor & Family Fun: Vermont Little League’s 12-and-under All-Star tournament starts Saturday in Stowe, with Brattleboro chasing a rare third title and other teams aiming for their first state crown. Local Events: Northshire Coalition for Neurodivergent Adults launches its inaugural “Triple Threat Throwdown” fundraiser Aug. 1 in Manchester, mixing skateboarding, a cannonball contest, and basketball foul shots with prizes and raffles. Health & Safety: Vermont firefighters returned after helping Utah battle the Cottonwood Fire, part of a national mutual aid effort. Roads & Getting Around: Vermont Business Magazine lists planned highway construction impacts for the week of July 27, including I-89 and I-91 paving and ramp closures—expect delays and follow detours. Nature & Conservation: A Nature Conservancy elm project in southern Vermont is injecting Dutch elm disease spores to find survivors that could help restore American elms.

Conservation & Nature: A Nature Conservancy-led project in southern Vermont is injecting Dutch elm disease spores into a 28-acre grove of American elms to identify survivors that could help restore the species. Lodging & Scenic Stays: The Manchester View in Vermont has finished a renovation that keeps the classic mountain-view character, with updated rooms, fireplaces, and private balconies/terraces. Outdoor & Family Fun (Milton): Milton Artists Guild and the town are hosting a packed weekend of creative workshops and a BioBlitz for families and nature lovers. Agritourism/Workshops: UMaine Extension and UVM Extension are running a free dairy sheep mobile milking and milk-quality workshop in Gardiner (Aug. 20). Travel Planning: AAA reports gas prices keep climbing—U.S. regular is up 15 cents to $4.09, with volatility tied to crude oil markets. Local Governance & Tourism Marketing: Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order pushing state advertising dollars toward trusted local media, including for tourism messages tied to state parks. Health Alert for Travelers: CDC says cyclosporiasis cases are surging nationwide, with Vermont travelers urged to watch for symptoms after possible food exposure.

Ski Resort Crime: A Jay Peak “vault supervisor” was charged with embezzling about $70,790 from the resort’s safe, with cash taken in chunks between fall 2025 and spring 2026. Local Media Boost: Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order directing state agencies to prioritize Vermont local news outlets in advertising purchases, including tourism messaging tied to state parks. Short-Term Rental Rules: Norwich adopted interim short-term rental bylaws requiring registration and a $250 fee, with options to comply by stopping rentals, renting part-time, or switching to longer-term monthly rentals. Conservation for Visitors: The Nature Conservancy in Vermont awarded $387,250 to four projects protecting 2,163 acres, with public access and benefits for wildlife, freshwater, and recreation. Dutch Elm Disease Plan: Vermont conservationists began inoculating a 28-acre elm grove with Dutch elm disease to try to save the species—an effort that could shape future forest and park health. Student Loan Relief Push: Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Joe Courtney unveiled a bill to eliminate interest on federal student loans, a move that could affect travel budgets for borrowers. Travel Safety/Cost Watch: GasBuddy reported one Chittenden County city station selling diesel at $4.99, while Vermont’s diesel average rose to $5.18. Tourism & Community Culture: Manchester Community Library is building a new mural tied to its “Between Two Worlds” Yiddish literature program, with a benefit concert supporting a local multicultural center. Data Center Backlash: Congress and the White House advanced efforts to stop large data centers from pushing grid upgrade costs onto electricity customers, with Vermont among states weighing limits.

Housing & Community Input: Dorset is extending its Raptor Lane housing survey deadline to Aug. 12, with about 250 responses so far, as town officials tour the site and consider developing town-owned land west of Owl’s Head Mountain. Historic Craft Tourism: Marshfield’s Weaver’s Croft hosts “Reclaiming the Art of Historic Sailmaking” July 25-26, bringing together international experts to share hand-woven reproductions and waterproofing techniques. Ski & Lodging Development: Killington’s new Base Camp at Bear Mountain adds ski-on, ski-off luxury townhomes, with six move-in-ready this fall and more planned through 2028. Conservation & Outdoor Access: The Nature Conservancy in Vermont announced $387,250 in grants protecting 2,163 acres across multiple towns, with conserved land open to the public. Local Hospitality Update: Burlington’s former Courtyard by Marriott on Cherry Street reopens as The Harborvale after a $19M renovation aimed at serving both travelers and locals. Wildlife Management Hearings: Vermont Fish & Wildlife will hold two public hearings on proposed bear hunting regulation changes, including a unified Sept. 1–deer-season framework and tag requirements. Vermont Food Pride: Vermont cheesemakers won 54 awards at the American Cheese Society competition in Louisville, including Jasper Hill Farm’s Winnimere taking first place and best in show. Travel-Linked Health/Outbreak Watch: CDC updates show measles cases rising across the U.S., with summer travel flagged as a driver of spread. Nature Science Story: Researchers say a contagious cancer is spreading in Lake Memphremagog’s brown bullhead catfish, raising new questions about transmissible diseases in the wild.

Conservation & Access: The Nature Conservancy says Vermont’s third round of Vermont Biodiversity Protection Fund grants will protect 2,163 acres across Athens, Marlboro, Fairfield, Fletcher, Bakersfield and Thetford, with all conserved land open to the public. Wildlife & Hunting: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold two public hearings on proposed bear-hunting rule changes, including a single Sept. 1–end-of-deer-season season and a required bear tag; hearings are Aug. 24 (St. Johnsbury) and Aug. 27 (Bennington). Outdoor Travel & Wildlife Health: UVM researchers are behind new work on contagious cancers in Lake Memphremagog’s catfish, raising fresh questions about how widespread transmissible cancers may be. Local Lodging: Burlington’s former Courtyard by Marriott on Cherry Street has reopened as The Harborvale after a $19M renovation. Tourism & Community Growth: A Ripton couple turned a pandemic stay into a lasting business, now owning the Robert Frost Mountain Cabins. Tourism Policy: Vermont towns are trying different ways to regulate short-term rentals as housing pressure grows. Safety on the Road: Vermont is piloting AI wrong-way detection at Exit 17 in Milton after a rise in incidents. Measles Alert for Travelers: CDC reports measles cases have surged to 2,260 in 44 states, with summer travel driving new exposures. Abenaki Land Return: The New England Annual Conference deeded 270.5 acres (former Covenant Hills Christian Camp) back to the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation.

Trade & Travel Costs: Vermont businesses and breweries are bracing for higher prices and fewer Canadian visitors after the White House announced 50% tariffs on some Canadian products, with tourism already feeling the squeeze. Short-Term Rentals: Vermont towns are testing new ways to regulate vacation rentals as housing pressure grows; Stowe’s local reality is pushing back against the state’s argument that rentals are only a small slice of the housing stock. Forest & Outdoor Economy: A New York paper mill closure is raising alarms for Vermont’s forest products supply chain, while Vermont is also rolling out a new system for forest fire wardens that changes who issues burn permits. Lodging Industry Shock: Presidential Mountain Resort in Bethlehem has filed for bankruptcy protection, putting its future—and the local vacation-cabin business—up in the air. Public Health Watch: CDC says cyclosporiasis cases have topped 4,000 across 41 states, and Vermont travelers are being reminded to stay alert for food- and water-borne illness. Wildlife & Nature Safety: Vermont officials are tracking invasive pond slider turtles showing up in the wild after pet releases, warning they can threaten native species. Northern Lights: NOAA forecasts aurora could be visible across much of the Northeast tonight.

Vermont Politics & Housing: Three Democrats challenging Lt. Gov. John Rodgers laid out affordability, homelessness, and health/education priorities at a Vermont Public debate ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Cannabis Retail: Vermont’s new law doubles the daily purchase limit at licensed dispensaries, aiming to pull more buyers away from the illicit market. Forest & Wildfire Response: A new state law (Act 162) shifts how Vermont forest fire wardens are designated, leaving some towns scrambling to adjust. Tourism & Outdoor Planning: Upper Valley trail managers trained on GIS mapping to build safer, more sustainable hiking networks. Cross-Border Travel Shock: White House 50% tariffs on some Canadian products raise fresh concerns for Vermont businesses that rely on Canadian visitors. Forest Products Ripple: A New York paper mill closure is already worrying Vermont loggers and landowners tied to regional pulpwood markets. Wildlife & Conservation: Vermont officials are tracking released pet turtles—pond sliders can outcompete native species. Community Events: Athens’ historic Brick Meetinghouse hosts 2X2 on July 25; Bennington’s TrailFest returns July 25; Brattleboro’s Retreat Farm Ramble cycling event is Aug. 16. Health & Travel Safety: The Red Cross warns of a summer blood shortage that could affect care for travelers and locals alike.

Appalachian Trail Weekend in Bennington: TrailFest returns Saturday, July 25 (12–2:30 p.m.) at the Bennington Skate Park with free food, live music, a used gear swap, exhibitors, and transportation plus free lodging for 20 long-distance hikers. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA says a minor geomagnetic storm could make aurora visible Tuesday night across parts of Vermont and the northern U.S., with the best viewing window typically 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Lake Recreation Planning: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold open houses in Springfield (July 27), Hartland (July 28), and Jamaica (July 29) for draft updates to several Vermont lake master plans, with a 30-day public comment period starting at each stop. Local Radio Moves: Central Vermont Community Radio (WGDR) must relocate off the Creative Campus by March 1, 2027, after launching a new broadcast antenna and planning future FM translator coverage. Forestry & Tourism Ripple: Finch Paper’s plan to stop pulp production at its Glens Falls mill could hit regional logging demand, with Vermont contractors warning of broader impacts. Air Quality Alert Reminder: Canadian wildfire smoke continues to push air quality alerts into the Northeast, including Vermont—plan outdoor time accordingly. Home & Outdoor Inspiration: A solar-powered Tunbridge home on 52.6 acres highlights big views and energy design, while a Vermont mountain bike camp offers new trail adventures for kids.

Northern Lights Forecast: A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm is likely late Tuesday into Wednesday, with aurora chances best for northern-tier states near Canada—though faint displays may be harder to spot with lingering twilight. Local Water & Sewer: The Poultney Merger Committee keeps debating how to structure village water and sewer, including options tied to fire district planning and who carries the debt. Road Safety: A Route 22A crash in Benson closed part of the road for about three hours; no injuries were reported. Public Safety & Community: Stowe Fire welcomed an Austrian firefighter partner to swap training and recruitment ideas, while Rutland County’s Humane Society rebranded as Tails of Hope and plans a new headquarters fundraising push. Tourism & Outdoor Fun: Vermont’s Grammar School Mountain Bike Camp is in its 26th year, adding new trips including an overnight ride to Kingdom Trails. Health for Travelers: Upper Valley experts say Vermont has no linked cases in a cyclosporiasis situation tied to a lettuce recall; check guidance if you’re concerned. Wildlife Policy: The federal government is rolling back Endangered Species Act habitat protections, and states say they can’t fully replace the lost safeguards. Arts & Events: The Green Mountain Shakespeare Festival kicks off “Love’s Labor’s Lost” starting July 23, plus a packed week of Vermont music and summer programming.

Public Health & Travel: The CDC reports 2,260 measles cases across 44 jurisdictions, with summer travel raising the risk of new outbreaks—most cases are tied to outbreaks and often involve people unvaccinated or with unknown status. Wildfire Smoke Watch: A recent “reddish-yellow” sky episode eased for now, but experts warn Canada’s fire season can keep sending plumes into New England through August. Housing & Tourism Pressure: A LendingTree analysis says Vermont’s high “vacant” home rate is largely seasonal/recreational properties, leaving very few year-round rentals—an issue that hits vacation destinations and locals alike. Endangered Species Act Rollback: The federal government is removing habitat protections, and states argue they can’t fully replace the federal role—raising concerns for wildlife and land use. Local Events: Franklin County has 24 events this week (July 20–24), plus a July 22 tour of Kingdom Community Wind in Lowell. Green Mountain State Sports: Vermont Green men punch a ticket to the national quarterfinal; Vermont Green women finish as national runners-up. Energy & Industry: Green Mountain Power opens a free, pre-registered July 22 wind tour; and PLC says Finch Paper’s shift away from buying low-grade wood could ripple through the Northeast logging economy.

Wind Power Tour: Green Mountain Power is opening registration for a free, pre-registration-required tour of Kingdom Community Wind in Lowell on July 22 at 10 a.m., with a 90-minute GMP-led look at turbines up close. Luxury Real Estate: A Stowe mountain estate, “The Preserve at Wade Pasture,” is headed to a July 22 absolute auction with no reserve and no minimum bid. Road & Bridge Updates: Vermont’s AOT lists major paving and bridge work affecting I-89 and I-91, plus other local closures and lane reductions—expect delays and detours. Air Quality & Wildfire Smoke: Canadian wildfire smoke continues to trigger air quality alerts across New England, with haze and health warnings tied to changing conditions. Local History & Culture: Bellows Falls’ CCC legacy gets a closer look, and the Estey Organ Museum in Brattleboro celebrates a big donation that helps pay down its mortgage. Sports & Community: Vermont Green FC women finish as national runners-up after a penalty-kick loss; Lamoille County Field Days returns with family-friendly fair staples. Travel Planning Tip: If you’re heading out this weekend, check air quality first and build in extra flexibility for weather and road work.

Luxury Real Estate: A rare Stowe estate, “The Preserve at Wade Pasture” (11.6 acres) with underground features and a private sports arena, is headed to a July 22 absolute auction with no reserve. Road & Transit Updates: Vermont’s highway work is ramping up, including I-89 and I-91 paving and bridge rehab plus local bridge/road closures that could affect summer travel plans. Air Quality & Travel Safety: Canadian wildfire smoke is triggering air quality alerts across much of the Northeast, including Vermont, with haze expected to linger and conditions shifting through the weekend—plan outdoor time accordingly. Local Culture & Tourism: Brattleboro’s Estey Organ Museum got a major $35,000 donation that helps pay off its mortgage, keeping a distinctive music stop open for visitors. Family-Friendly Events: The Maple Roots Music Festival returns July 25 at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier, with Vermont artists, kids’ activities, and maple treats. Community Fair: Johnson’s 64th annual Lamoille County Field Days draws crowds for rides, animals, wood cutting, and local vendors. Sports & Weekend Plans: Vermont and New Hampshire teams faced off in the Lions Twin State Soccer Cup, plus local baseball and youth sports updates for the region.