Mad River Valley Planning District

08/06/2026

Swing by the Town of Waitsfield offices sometime soon to learn about General Wait's Elm Tree 🌳

This tree would have been a seedling when Samuel de Champlain first arrived in what would one day become Vermont... pretty neat!

08/03/2026

Don't miss the unveiling of General Wait's Big Elm Tree display on August 5! Congratulations to the Waitsfield Historical Society and all the volunteers who brought this project to life 🌳💫

07/09/2026

We hope you stayed dry this Fourth of July! 🎆 We certainly tried our best...

Have you seen our July newsletter? Take a look and get the latest scoop on local planning news, initiatives that affect your community, and events happening around the Mad River Valley! ☀

This month, MRVPD covered updates to Act 181, a new Waitsfield Traffic Ordinance, the Attitude of Gratitude Code of Ethics, the return of the Warren Wind Down AND the Round Up Revival, and the launch of Friends of the Mad River's Restoration Nursery... just to name a few. Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already!

MRVPD July Newsletter ⬇:
https://mailchi.mp/mrvpd/mrpvd-july-2026-newsletter-12821662

07/03/2026

Stay cool out there, MRV!

Cooling centers across Vermont are now open to help residents stay safe during the extreme heat this week. If you or someone you know needs a place to cool down, please visit our interactive map here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4fdb83b1ece3427ea81d83446ffb420b

If you need to find shelter, call 2-1-1.

Heat related illnesses can happen quickly and be very dangerous, so it's important to limit your time outside in the heat, stay hydrated and check on your neighbors. Pregnant people, infants and young children, and older Vermonters are at increased risk for heat-related illnesses!

06/22/2026

That's a wrap! Thank you so much for "checking in" with the Planning District over the past six weeks and sharing your perspective. Every response helps us better understand our incredible community.

We look forward to sharing the results of the 2026 MRV Community Wellbeing survey with you towards the end of the summer. Nearly 540 community members responded!

Another thank-you to our wonderful survey sponsors: Deco Restaurant and Bar, Sugarbush Resort SHaRC, and Gather Round Family Chef Service! Our survey participant raffle drawing will take place in early July, after we've processed both online and paper survey responses. Raffle winners will be contacted directly by MRVPD.

06/11/2026

Tonight at The Big Picture Theater & Café! We hope you join us in taking the Attitude of Gratitude Pledge🌲☀️🏞️

Join conservation and recreation organizations from around the Valley to kick off the newly developed Attitude of Gratitude code of ethics, a shared pledge to care for the trails, lands, farms, and neighbors that make the Mad River Valley so special! 🌳

📍Where: Big Picture Theater, Waitsfield
🗓When: June 11 at 6:00 PM

Take the pledge, meet other outdoor enthusiasts, and learn about different conservation and recreation initiatives in the Valley.

Together, we will continue to build a culture of respect, stewardship, and gratitude for the landscape we love!

This is a great opportunity to connect with folks from:
Mad River Path
Friends of the Mad River
Mad River Riders
Mad River Valley Backcountry Coalition
Mad River Valley Recreation District - MRVRD
Mad River Ridge Runners
Mad River Valley
Moretown Recreation Committee
Mad River Bear Initiative
Mad Dog Chapter Trout Unlimited
Fayston Conservation Commission
Waitsfield Conservation Commission
Warren Conservation Commission

The Attitude of Gratitude code of ethics was created by the Conservation Recreation Visioning (CRV) group. CRV is made up of Mad River Valley recreation and conservation organizations, with the shared goal of sustaining and enhancing environmental integrity while embracing opportunities for outdoor recreation.

06/08/2026

There's still time to take the MRV Community Wellbeing survey! Participants have the chance to win a gift card from a number of wonderful businesses, like Sugarbush Resort SHaRC, Deco Restaurant and Bar, and Gather Round Family Chef Service!

Your voice matters–every response helps us better understand our community. Results will be shared with Valley Selectboards, Planning Commissions, and other local decision-makers.

Take the survey today: https://bit.ly/2026mrvwellbeingsurvey

Have you heard about the MRV Community Wellbeing Survey? 💭

The survey, now in its fourth year, helps us better understand how our community is doing. Share your thoughts on wellbeing, belonging, affordability, housing, recreation, education, life satisfaction, and more to help guide future planning efforts in the Valley! 🌄

Check in with the Planning District by taking the survey! You might just win a gift card to Sugarbush Resort SHaRC, Deco Restaurant and Bar, or Gather Round Family Chef Service!

Take the survey today:
https://bit.ly/2026mrvwellbeingsurvey

05/30/2026

Have you heard about the MRV Community Wellbeing Survey? 💭

The survey, now in its fourth year, helps us better understand how our community is doing. Share your thoughts on wellbeing, belonging, affordability, housing, recreation, education, life satisfaction, and more to help guide future planning efforts in the Valley! 🌄

Check in with the Planning District by taking the survey! You might just win a gift card to Sugarbush Resort SHaRC, Deco Restaurant and Bar, or Gather Round Family Chef Service!

Take the survey today:
https://bit.ly/2026mrvwellbeingsurvey

05/29/2026

Join conservation and recreation organizations from around the Valley to kick off the newly developed Attitude of Gratitude code of ethics, a shared pledge to care for the trails, lands, farms, and neighbors that make the Mad River Valley so special! 🌳

📍Where: Big Picture Theater, Waitsfield
🗓When: June 11 at 6:00 PM

Take the pledge, meet other outdoor enthusiasts, and learn about different conservation and recreation initiatives in the Valley.

Together, we will continue to build a culture of respect, stewardship, and gratitude for the landscape we love!

This is a great opportunity to connect with folks from:
Mad River Path
Friends of the Mad River
Mad River Riders
Mad River Valley Backcountry Coalition
Mad River Valley Recreation District - MRVRD
Mad River Ridge Runners
Mad River Valley
Moretown Recreation Committee
Mad River Bear Initiative
Mad Dog Chapter Trout Unlimited
Fayston Conservation Commission
Waitsfield Conservation Commission
Warren Conservation Commission

The Attitude of Gratitude code of ethics was created by the Conservation Recreation Visioning (CRV) group. CRV is made up of Mad River Valley recreation and conservation organizations, with the shared goal of sustaining and enhancing environmental integrity while embracing opportunities for outdoor recreation.

05/21/2026

Have you subscribed to our e-newsletter? It's a great way to stay on top of planning initiatives and news throughout the Valley ☀

Check out our May message here... and take the MRV Community Wellbeing Survey if you haven't already!
https://mailchi.mp/mrvpd/mrpvd-may-2026-newsletter-12821139