Get Involved

Often individuals feel overwhelmed and powerless to change the course of land use in Vermont.  Yet, we are all stewards of Vermont’s future.  In order to address the issues facing our state, preserve our sense of place and enhance our quality of life, we must all become involved as part of the solution.

Try not to become overwhelmed or change how you live all at once!  Determine your areas of interest and passion and just begin to take a small few step forward.

Become Informed

  • Learn more about smart growth principles, land use trends and the pros and cons of various planning on conservation decisions.
  • Read your town plan to understand the history, goals and strategies for your community. Understand how local policies are implementing these goals.
  • Track what Vermont’s Legislature and state agencies are doing.  Smart Growth Vermont can help – visit our State Policy page to learn more about the recent legislative session, receive our Legislative Alerts and our recommendations for public policy.
  • Learn more about the benefits of density and community design.

Participate

  • Volunteer for Smart Growth Vermont or another organization involved with these issues.  Your skills, expertise and energy allow us to expand our programs and reach in Vermont.
  • Become involved in your local planning process – attend meetings, provide comments, and promote smart growth policies and programs.
  • Volunteer to be on your local planning or zoning board.
  • Write a letter to your State representatives and share your thoughts on the current policy discussions.
  • Run for a local or state office and promote smart growth.

Support Smart Growth Development

  • Support well-designed infill and compact development projects in your neighborhood. Our Smart Growth Awards provide great examples of outstanding developments.
  • Support transportation options in your community.
  • Start a housing committee in your community.  Begin by understanding the housing needs for all members of the town and the obstacles to building homes.
  • Hold a workshop on housing density, design and the benefits of providing housing in the community core.
  • Join or start a downtown revitalization committee.
  • Work with your town to keep public buildings like post offices, libraries and town hall in the town center.
  • If you are developing a project, considering the smart growth principles before your start. 
  • Reach out to the local community to let them know about your project. 
  • Apply for Housing Endorsement from the Vermont Smart Growth Collaborative, created as a voluntary program which uses smart growth criteria to evaluate new housing projects.
  • If you are a business looking for new space, consider locating in an existing downtown or village center.  Your staff will be close to services, housing opportunities and schools.
  • If you are a business, considering offering employee incentives for not using their automobiles to get to work.  Consider offering passes for public transit or arranging for car-pooling.  One business in Vermont, purchased bikes for all their employees to support them biking to work. 

Develop A Connection with the Land

  • Support the neighboring farmer’s right to farm.
  • Join with your neighbors to preserve a working farm, forest or parcel of open space.
  • If you are a farmer, consider selling the development rights to your property to a land trust.
  • Buy products and gifts from locally-owned businesses.
  • Read our publication Communities and the Land.
  • Visit the new section of our website, Connect to the Land: A Guide for Taking Action, to learn about the many ways you can support Vermont's economy.

Enhance Your Purchasing Power

  • If you are considering moving, choose a home in an urban or village neighborhood, close to the places you visit. 
  • You can cut down on your driving time, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and increase your physical activity.
  • Patronize downtown and village stores and services and support local Vermont businesses (Learn more at Local First Vermont)
  • Look for the Vermont Fresh Network logo and support businesses that serve local food.
  • Try local first when gift shopping.
  • Buy locally grown food at your farmer’s market or local grocery store to support the farmers who maintain the rural landscape.

Get Out of Your Car

  • Walk or ride a bike instead of driving everywhere.
  • Visit Vermont RideShare to learn about car pooling.
  • Learn about Park and Ride locations.
  • Take public transportation.
  • Work to improve and maintain access to existing public areas and provide sidewalks and bike paths to these areas so they are safe and accessible.

Support Our Work

Your support enables us to help Vermont communities develop sound land use policies that respect our unique landscape.  Whether you join as a member, corporate sponsor or volunteer, you'll help Vermonters get the tools and guidance they need to plan for their community's future.