VITAL COMMUNITIES
Food & Farm
Keeping agriculture a vital part of UV life.
Valley Quest
Discover the special places in our region.
Leadership UV
Inspiring, educating, and engaging leaders.
Local First
Pursuing a thriving local economy.
Transportation
Working to reduce reliance on driving alone.
Energy
Moving towards energy independence.
Our Mission
Vital Communities engages Upper Valley people, organizations, and communities to create equitable solutions to our region’s challenges.
To fulfill this mission, we will:
- Identify, include, engage, and connect diverse groups in our community so that our goals and approach are informed by people of all ages, genders, races, cultures, faiths, abilities, educational backgrounds, professions, documentation status, income levels, sexual orientations, and geographic locations throughout the Upper Valley;
- Recognize and challenge systemic racism and all forms of discrimination in our organization and community;
- Incorporate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all our efforts.
What's Happening
Meet Vital Communities’ New Directors
An earlier version of this post had an incorrect job title for new Board member Greg Norman.
At its May 20, 2021, meeting, the Vital Communities Bo [...]
Hats Off to Our Four Departing Board Members
An earlier version of this post had an incorrect title for Sally Kraft.
At its May 20 meeting, the Vital Communities Board of Directors bid farewel [...]
Keynote Speech, Leadership Upper Valley Graduation, June 9, 2021,
The following speech was delivered by Monique Priestley, Chair, Vital Communities Board of Directors, at the Leadership Upper Valley Graduation on Jun [...]
24 New Graduates of Leadership Upper Valley
From small businesses and large, health care, municipal government, a church, and many other corners of the Upper Valley, 24 people came together on W [...]
June 4 “Light River Junction”: A Night to Remember
Copyright 2021 Rob Strong
The June 4 “Light River Junction: First Fridays with WRIF,” subtitled “A Night to Remember," promises more of the [...]
Are you ready to help improve home availability and affordability in our region?
For decades, we've known and talked about the fact that homes in the Upper Valley are too few and too expensive for people's needs. The pandemic has w [...]
Upper Valley Everyone Eats Hits $1 Million Mark
As it wraps up its ninth month of paying local restaurants $10/meal to prepare free nutritious meals for Vermonters in need, Upper Valley Everyone Eat [...]
In-Person Films and Fun at First “Light River Junction”
Friday, May 7, the skies cleared after a week of rain - just in time for the first Light River Junction First Friday event! Throughout downtown White [...]
Two New Tuck Fellows on Vital Communities Board
With hopes of learning new skills and having a positive impact on the Upper Valley, two new MBA candidates from the Tuck School of Business have joine [...]
Vermont Everyone Eats Hits 1 Million!
On Thursday, April 29, Vermont Everyone Eats, an innovative COVID-19 response program, is celebrating 1 million restaurant meals served to Vermonters [...]
Vital Communities’ agenda and programs emerge from, and are driven by, regional needs and community interests.
As a neutral convener, Vital Communities brings diverse people and organizations together to devise and implement collaborative solutions.
Vital Communities takes on issues where regional coordination and leadership can achieve results.
Greatest Hits
Photo Gallery
Program NEWS
Spring Salad Made From Anything
I made this colorful crunchy salad on the fly on Memorial Day when the grocery stores were closed for the holiday and my parents, siblings, and out-of-town cousin were on their way over for dinner. I ...more
Kale Pesto
I diligently planted several basil plants a few weeks ago. A few days later a crazy hail storm arrived. Afterwards, my poor basil plants were diminished to nothing but stems. So I replanted. All along, I was motivated ...more
Mastering Perfect Spinach
When my friend Justin opened a restaurant in Maine, I fixated on his strategy to train kitchen staff: cooks would learn the best one or two ways to prepare each vegetable, so they'd be optimally ...more
WAY TO GO! SPRING CHALLENGE
JOIN THE CHALLENGE MAY 1-16 AND BE ENTERED TO WIN PRIZES! Spring is here, so it’s a great time to Get Up and Go! Take the challenge to walk, bike, roll, bus, or carpool May 1 ...more
Launching Year 2 of the Upper Valley E-Bike Library!
Do you wish biking was part of your life? E-bikes can greatly increase that possibility. E-bikes (electric bikes) are like regular bikes but with an electric motor in addition to human-powered pedals, a battery to ...more
April 15, 2021: “Putting Your Money to Work Locally: Investing Clubs 101”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnLZ7akjtGw Interested in investing locally but don’t want to do it alone? Investment clubs pool money to collectively invest in local businesses and bring a social aspect to the process – they make investment fun! In this ...more
April 8: "Investing in Home Creation"
Investing for Home Creation Thursday, April 8, 5:30 pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUwM8Z2FD3Q The Upper Valley faces a shortage of housing, particularly in the lower-cost sector, that's affecting our ability to be a vibrant, equitable community. This session discussed how even ...more
Valley Quests Open May 1—including a Guided Event to a Vernal Pool!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 1: It's a big one for Valley Quests! Not only is May 1 Opening Day for Quests—"treasure hunts" that share the natural and cultural history of 160+ special areas in ...more
Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?
New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to grow your organization, our community, and the local economy, but don’t have access to capital? The Local Crowd ...more
Free Webinar on Writing Waterway Quests, April 8
Valley Quests are treasure hunts set in special locations around the Upper Valley. Each Quest follows a unique set of clues that teach you about a place’s ecology, wildlife, and history while leading to a ...more
NH Route 120 Improvements Near Exit 18
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has recently begun a project to study multi-modal improvements to NH Route 120 from Hanover Street to Etna Road in Lebanon, NH. This project (NHDOT reference #29612) seeks ...more
Quest to the Star!
Have you seen the star alight upon Mt. Tom in Woodstock? Wouldn't it be fun to see it up close? You can if you follow the clues of the Mt. Tom Quest. The star traditionally ...more
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Save Energy
This week marks the close of Vital Communities and volunteers’ 2020 Vermont Energy Savings project in seven towns in the Vermont side of the Upper Valley. Vital Communities partnered with Sustainable Woodstock (serving Woodstock, Hartland, ...more
Weatherize Webinar, August 17
Weatherize Webinar with NHSaves Monday, August 17 at Noon Did Covid-19 stop your 2020 weatherization plans in their tracks? NOW is the right time to jump back on the weatherize band wagon. Lower energy bills and cozy ...more
Welcome 31 New Upper Valley Change-makers
Vital Communities celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2020 on Wednesday, June 10. This event marked the program’s 14th graduating class, as 31 local leaders completed the 10-month program with a ...more
Five Inspiring Stories
On March 18, Vital Communities held a webinar featuring five inspiring stories from energy committees across the Upper Valley. Stories included: Electric charging stations in Bethel An Upper Valley eBike lending library Energy saving window ...more
Stand in Your Circle of Strength and Lead
Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper Valley at its annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration. The following are the event’s keynote remarks ...more
Heroes & Leaders: Creating a Vital Upper Valley
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to the Upper Valley. In 2019, we are pleased to honor ...more