VITAL COMMUNITIES
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.
Food & Farm
Keeping agriculture a vital part of UV life.
Energy
Moving towards energy independence.
What's Happening
Community Conversations: Resilience Through Local Food Security
A community conversation about increasing resilience through local food production and working lands
Join Vital Communities, Land for Good, and partn [...]
Upper Valley Everyone Eats
We are launching Upper Valley Everyone Eats! Between September 8 and December 18, approximately 2,500 meals from local restaurants will be available w [...]
2CLA Graduate Spotlight: Climate Change Hike at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP
The Climate Change Leadership Academy Class (2CLA) of 2020 graduated in May amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to highlight the [...]
2CLA Graduate Spotlight: Digging in on the Climate Crisis
The Climate Change Leadership Academy Class (2CLA) of 2020 graduated in May amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to highlight the inspiring cli [...]
Re-Housing Recovery Grants
Could you use $30,000 to rehab a rental unit?
The State of Vermont is funding apartment repairs for up to $30,000 per unit! The funds are part of the [...]
Curbing Food Waste and Its Climate Impact
Reprinted from the Summer 2020 Sustainable Hanover newsletter, this article addresses how to reduce food waste and its considerable climate impact. Au [...]
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 [...]
Fresh Food Sources: An Update
For an increasing number of families, the cost of putting food on the table is becoming more and more of a burden. If you or someone you know coul [...]
Theater + Pandemic: Four Upper Valley Theaters’ Stories
Remember when performances looked like this? (That's Opera North performing at Blow-Me-Down Farm in summer 2019.) Needless to say, times have chan [...]
Rebate Increases for Home Weatherization
Newly Increased Rebates for Home Weatherization
Now's the best time to think about weatherizing your home as both New Hampshire and Vermont state w [...]
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.
Photo Gallery
Program NEWS
How to Commute Safely During the Pandemic
Even with the need for physical distancing and many people working from home, transit and carpooling are available for those who need them. Here is some information on how to use each safely these days. Riding ...more
Safe Routes to School During Pandemic
School reopening is the big topic right now: how to do it safely, effectively, and efficiently. New requirements for health checks, physical distancing, and reduced bus capacity are likely to create bottlenecks, congestion, and lost ...more
Quests Along the Cross Rivendell Trail
Do you hope to do a longer hike before the good weather ends? Do you enjoy a challenge? We have a way for you to attain these goals! Two of our Quests incorporate sections of ...more
UV Indie Economic Impact Survey
Calling All Locally Owned and Independent UV Retail Stores and Restaurants! Vital Communities has commissioned an Independent Economic Impact Study that will give us data on the impact of locally owned retail and restaurant businesses on ...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
Bike & Walk Funding Available in Vermont!
Are you a Vermonter who would like to see better bike and pedestrian infrastructure in your town? Funding for this is available through the VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program to local governments, transit agencies, school ...more
Pick Your Own is OPEN ♥
Yes...Local as Usual, Safer than Ever. Pick Your Own strawberry farms opened this past weekend. Get out there and pick the delish! There is nothing like ripe berries. So good. Each berry that comes into season ...more
Berries: Delicious, versatile and in season now!
The Upper Valley berry season typically ranges from late June to early October. In our short, but fruitful season, we can enjoy raspberries and strawberries (although neither are technically real berries), then move into summer ...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
Quest to Refresh Challenge!
Do you need to press the reset/refresh button? Have you spent too much time behind a screen these days? We have a solution! Take our challenge – Quest to Refresh! Complete five or more Quests ...more
TLC 4WARD Crowdfunding for Businesses
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is suffering due to the effects of the pandemic and could use a little help from your friends? TLC 4WARD Upper Valley is here for you. The Local ...more
A Letter To Our Upper Valley Schools
I hope this note finds you all healthy and adjusting to the routines of remote learning and teaching. I know my family and I are starting to feel a rhythm in our days and finding ourselves to be ...more
Family Project: Write a Quest for your House!
Over these past few weeks I have experienced waves of anxiety and sadness, and at the same time such gratitude. I can’t imagine going through this crisis in any other part of the world. The ...more
Donation Platform for UV Businesses
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is impacted by Covid-19 and could use a little help from your friends? TLC/4WARD is here to help. Vital Communities launched The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley in ...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
13th Annual Roundtable - September 15
You're Invited! The 13th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable will be held Tuesday, September 15, 5-8 pm in West Lebanon! This annual gathering of local energy volunteers is open to all, whether you serve on an ...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