Three communities are making steady progress on projects funded by the Northern Forest Destination Development initiative to serve residents and visitors with improved outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Recreation Capacity Development Initiative is building local capacity for improving recreation-related services through partner-led projects.

Grants from the Northern Forest Destination Development Program will fund trail construction, remote paddling opportunities, waterfront parks, accessible trails, and more.

The Center has launched the Northern Forest Rural Tourism Academy to help communities better capitalize on outdoor recreation and cultural amenities for community economic development.

The Northern Forest’s geological formations, rolling hills and thick forest landscapes make the region an excellent place to mountain bike.

The Community Destination Academy strengthens partnerships among area businesses, non-profits, and municipalities and helps rural communities secure increasing economic benefits from the recreation and travel sectors.

Attracting visitors and new residents is a continual challenge for rural regions like the Northeast Kingdom — known locally as the NEK. The “Get NEKed VT” campaign uses creativity and engaging communication to build interest in the region.

The Center is helping local leaders to put the Northeast Kingdom — a rural region comprised of Vermont’s Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties and known as the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) — on the map as a destination for visitors.