Early Winter 2018 | 15 Trails Report guides, state and federal officials/ land managers, commissioners of various state entities, business and civic leaders, private landowners etc. The respect and discussion generated by such a diverse group was truly amazing to experience. In addition to catching up with some of those I knew from past dealings, I was also able to form some new connections amongst the group. I am always hopeful I will be able to help them out some day or that they will be able to help me out. That is what life is all about, right? After many hours of working in our table groups (which had at least one representative from each state) and attending the various presentations, I was able to pull a few key things from all that was taking place. One topic that was of great interest to me, as well as many others at the symposium, was how some recreational users are organized and have a funding system set up to fund their particular interests while others are working hard to get there. There was a clear division among the forms of recreation. This was where idea sharing was helpful. Organized groups with funding mechanisms could offer ideas to the user groups striving to get there. It was evident that with organization come numbers and with numbers come ideas and power, and often times, funding for your particular form of recreation. With funding come better trails and, again, new ideas, and the circle starts again! A couple of other common themes or “Big Ideas” as they referred to them as were collaboration amongst the entities in our own states. We can’t simply meet and say we are getting things accomplished. We would need to formulate it as a “doing” exercise and not a talking exercise: results oriented discussion! Second and more broadly, the majority of the attendees were on board with regional creation of a collaborative marketing strategy that highlights the Northern Forest as a whole. The leaves change color in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and New York. We all receive snow and have ski areas, snowmobile trails, etc. We all have lakes, small villages, little shops, maple syrup (although Vermont’s is the best), so why not work together to market the region and draw people in? Once they are in the Northern Forest, people can then narrow their focus and decide if they want to ski in Vermont or snowmobile in Maine, or do it all. We need to pool our resources and get the tourists here first! “Regional Messaging” was what we called it. I am hopeful that the connections and learning that took place at the symposium this year will continue through until the next symposium in 2020. It is clear that all forms of recreation are in this for the same reason, to let our minds and bodies be free to take our little piece of the Northern Forest and say, “This is mine!” Maybe only for a moment, but in this moment, it is important that we all coexist and work toward the common goal of recreating in and utilizing the Northern Forest. We can all work together and share in the responsibility of constructing, maintaining and enjoying trails that we collectively built. We may choose different ways to enjoy them, but we are enjoying them just the same. I must conclude by saying that the horrific damage that has taken place out west with fires, mudslides and so on was on all our minds while we were there. It was mentioned on numerous occasions. How fortunate we are to live in the Northern Forest, where those aren’t prevalent issues. Remember this the next time you are out on the trails enjoying the Northern Forest, no matter what capacity you are enjoying it in. Stop recreating for a moment, take a breath, enjoy the forest air, take in the bird sounds or just the lonely sound of the wind passing over the ridges and through the trees. After all, this is truly what we all enjoy about the Northern Forest. Let us not forget to enjoy it and to coexist with other user groups. May the 2018/19 Snowmobile Season be great, and may you all find that small moment in time when you are able to enjoy the Northern Forest for what it truly is…Magnificent! Full Service Machine Shop 1778 VT Route 105 Newport, VT 05855 MADE IN THE USA TUCKER SNO-CAT EQUIPMENT New and Reconditioned Equipment and Parts for Tucker Sno-Cats info@trackinc.com www.trackinc.com (802) 334-7779 OPEN HOUSE & GROOMER DEMO DAY February 15-16, 2019 | 8 AM to 3 PM • Maintenance Seminars • Operator Challenges (with prizes) • Product Line Representatives • Groomer Demos • Tours Coffee and donuts served in the morning. Lunch available to purchase from local snowmobile clubs. PLEASE RSVP by phone or email info@trackinc.com SNOWRABBIT GROOMERS