Friendly communities. Beautiful natural surroundings. Fresh, local food. Businesses and nonprofit organizations that care about the place we call home. There’s a lot to love about the Upper Valley!
Vital Communities is here to help you get to know the region. Explore the resources below to find ways to connect with your community today.
Who lives in our communities and what do they need? How do the communities differ from one another? The Community Health Assessment covers a wealth of important indicators about Upper Valley people’s lives. The assessment is completed every three years by Dartmouth Health’s Community Health program along with public health organizations, town leaders, schools, and community organizations.
We want to extend a warm welcome and invite you to join Upper Valley Welcome! Open to new and returning residents, this program connects you with local events, resources, fellow newcomers and welcoming locals. Meet new people, explore our region, and tap into local guidance as you get to know your community. Also, check out the Insider’s Guide to the Upper Valley, a crowdsourced compilation of things to do, especially for younger adults, created by the Upper Valley Young Professionals.
Looking for an easy way to keep in touch with your neighbors and what’s happening in your town or on a particular topic? Our Community Discussion Lists allow subscribers to post and respond to messages about their towns. Other lists address particular topics, such as agriculture, climate change, and more. Join your local list to get connected—and if you don’t see it on our list, check with your town about whether there’s something similar for your community.
Whether you are a visitor or resident – even a longtime one – you can enjoy an Upper Valley Adventure! Choose any of the five Adventures to find a map leading you to lesser-known gems aligned with various themes – as if an Upper Valley local were showing you around! Get to know our scenic and verdant working lands, abundant natural resources and activities, and unique and thriving Main Streets and culture!
Want to support the local economy when you shop? Check out The Vital Guide to find local restaurants, retail shops, service providers, farms and farmers markets and more. Do you work for or own a local business or farm? Make sure it’s listed!
Valley Quest is an award-winning, place-based education program that uses treasure hunts to celebrate community, natural history, cultural sites, stories, and special places. Discover the Upper Valley’s hidden gems on one of our 160+ Quests.
If you don’t have access to a car or want to drive less, you have options, including public transit, carpooling, and biking (or e-biking). You’ll save money, build physical health, and lessen the greenhouse gases and street congestion that cars produce. Connect with these options and calculate the annual cost of your commute by car to see how much you can save by using alternatives.
Several local newspapers cover the Upper Valley: The Valley News, The Vermont Standard, The Eagle Times, and The White River Valley Herald. The Burlington-based weekly Seven Days does some coverage of the Upper Valley as does the Rutland Herald.
Television coverage of the Upper Valley comes through WCAX, CATV, and Yankee Chronicle. Radio stations and networks covering the region include Vermont Public Radio, New Hampshire Public Radio, Great Eastern Radio, and The Point.
E-publications play an increasing role in keeping us informed. The weekday e-pub Daybreak pops into your inbox a fresh, up-to-the-minute digest of Upper Valley news and culture. The blog Artful focuses on the visual and performing arts.
Vital Communities’ program Leadership Upper Valley provides UV residents with a comprehensive knowledge of leadership and volunteer opportunities within the Upper Valley. Classes meet once a month for ten months.
Osher@Dartmouth is a lifelong learning institute within Dartmouth College dedicated to educating Upper Valley residents with year-round study opportunities.
The Learning Lab (TLL) is a nonprofit organization in Woodstock, Vermont that brings together an array of valuable courses, from art to history to dream analysis, and is open to the entire community.
Upper Valley Young Professionals (UVYP) brings the Upper Valley community of young professionals together for educational opportunities and social networking events in the area.
Adventures in Learning at Colby Sawyer College is dedicated to helping adults expand their education and knowledge of the world in an informal, no-pressure setting.