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
Climate Partners Summit Resources
Climate Partners Summit Resources
On February 25, 2021, over 70 interested partners and citizens joined the Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup (UVAW) [...]
“Put Your Money Where Your Life Is”: Reclaiming Our Local Economy
"Put Your Money Where Your Life Is":
Reclaiming Our Local Economy
Event series focuses on local investment as a tool for rebuilding our region's eco [...]
Join the Climate Summit on February 25
Climate change has the potential to affect everyone on the planet and virtually every aspect of our lives, including here in the Upper Valley.
The [...]
The 2021 Climate Change Leadership Academy is Recruiting!
Combatting climate change depends not just on major national and global policy, but also on action within our local community.
Promoting citizen-dr [...]
Calling for Civil, Inclusive Communication & Interaction
As an organization that brings people together, bridging boundaries and engaging our whole community to create positive change, we were shocked and sa [...]
Mutual Aid Groups are Volunteers of the Year!
When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the Upper Valley, it brought an ever-lengthening list of questions and concerns. Would supplies of food and othe [...]
Rehab Grants Create 68 Housing Units
Grants to landlords and property owners to help fix up vacant, unused rental properties have resulted in 68 new housing units in Windsor and Windham c [...]
Upper Valley Everyone Eats and Vermont Everyone Eats is Put on Pause
The following is a press release from Vermont Everyone Eats, for which Vital Communities is the Upper Valley hub, operating as Upper Valley Everyone E [...]
Climate Change Resources
Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup and Vital Communities present:
Upper Valley Climate Change Leadership Academy
RESOURCES
Presentation:
[...]
Singing the Praises of Upper Valley Everyone Eats
At a virtual gathering on November 24, people from social service agencies and restaurants across the Upper Valley gave powerful testimony about the b [...]
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
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
Digital Marketing Assistance for New Hampshire Businesses & Farms
Digital Marketing Assistance for New Hampshire Businesses & Farms Could your business benefit from professional consulting services to improve your marketing? With Rural Development funding, Vital Communities' Local First is hosting a free marketing workshop AND providing ...more
Farm-Way gift cards, fat bikes, and YOU!
Whether you live in Vermont or New Hampshire, grab your bike, sneakers, or boots and join Vital Communities, Local Motion, and Go! Vermont for the 2021 Vermont Winter Bike/Walk Challenge, through February 12 (International Winter ...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
Local Investment Inspiration & Resources
An "investment" always concerns the outlay of some asset today (time, money, effort, etc.) in hopes of a greater payoff in the future than what was originally put in. Where you choose to invest your ...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
Farm Viability a Priority for NH Nonprofits
Farm Viability a Priority for NH Nonprofits Farm and Food Businesses Eligible for Team of Coaches Tailored to Their Needs Organizations from around New Hampshire are partnering to offer teams of coaches to New Hampshire farms and ...more
Valley Quest Volunteer Monitors Needed
Do you enjoy being outdoors? Do you enjoy bringing others outdoors and making their experience something special? Then you are a good candidate for monitoring one or more of our 160+ Valley Quests throughout the Upper ...more
Upper Valley Everyone Eats: The Common Good; Not-So-Common Meals
With the close of 2020 came a pause for Upper Valley Everyone Eats (UVEE), the local hub of Vermont’s coronavirus relief program, Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), which pays Vermont restaurants $10/meal to prepare free meals ...more
Localvore Passport Webinar
Learn how Localvore Passport can help your business connect with customers at an informational webinar, Tuesday, January 12 or Wednesday, January 13! (Attend either event. The same information will be presented twice; Zoom link below). Vermont-based Localvore is ...more
That's Snow Excuse!
Don't be deterred by wet, cold or snow. Good times can be had when a-questing you go! Be sure to search our website Valley Quest page selecting for Season and Year Round to see what ...more
Love your bike ride, even in cold weather
We (Bethany and Mike from the Transportation team) are still riding our bikes these cold dark days, because it keeps us healthy and relieves anxiety! Your bike can offer fresh air, motion, and safe social ...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
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
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