The stewardMRV program is off to an incredible start for the 2026 season, and one thing is becoming increasingly clear throughout The Mad River Valley: the culture of stewardship is growing stronger every year.
As part of the annual spring evaluation, I undertook a comprehensive review of all 27 recreation access points overseen by the program, and the results were both encouraging and deeply rewarding.
We continue to see a measurable decline in the amount of garbage found throughout the system, and that is an exciting testament to the continued success of this program and the expansion of the ethos of stewardship throughout The Valley,” said Spencer. “At the inception of the program, these spring evaluations resulted in a massive haul to the landfill, routinely filling an entire pickup truck with debris collected throughout The Valley. This year, after visiting every single site, I only collected enough garbage to fill one-third of a single trash bag during the entire system-wide evaluation, something that would have been almost unimaginable in the early years of the program. Nearly every location was found to be in near-pristine condition.
The stewardMRV program relies on approximately 30 dedicated volunteers who help maintain recreation access points throughout The Valley. Beyond the physical work itself, one of the program’s biggest goals is to create a stronger sense of environmental stewardship throughout the community.
The real goal has never simply been garbage removal. The goal is to build a community where people care deeply about these places and take pride in protecting them. Seeing these results proves that the mission is working. We encourage everyone to be part of this ethos of stewardship. Help us keep the Valley clean. If you see something, help us pick it up.
Earlier this May, The Valley also saw another tremendously successful Green Valley Rally and Green Up Day effort, which brought volunteers together from across the community to help prepare public spaces and recreation areas for the busy summer season.
We saw an incredible turnout this year. People showed up enthusiastic, energized and ready to help. It was one of the strongest displays of community stewardship we have ever seen.
The stewardMRV initiative began as a collaborative effort involving the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations with a shared vision of protecting and improving recreation access throughout The Valley.
Eric Friedman, the executive director of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce told me that the growth of stewardMRV has been exciting to watch. He said that what started as a focused stewardship effort has evolved into a Valley-wide culture of participation, pride and environmental responsibility.
For volunteers like Patty Pasley, the work has become deeply personal. She said that she loves the Chase Brook Town Forest, which she monitors. Over time, she said, she’s begun to feel a strong connection to the area she oversees and takes pride in keeping it clean and welcoming.
In addition to maintaining recreation access points, stewardMRV continues to collaborate with other Valley organizations, volunteers, municipalities and community partners on targeted cleanup and improvement projects throughout the Mad River Valley, including ongoing efforts at Bridge Street, the Recreation Hub, Boyce Hill, and Riverside Park.
StewardMRV is also collaborating with the State of Vermont on exciting enhancements to The Pines Rest Area. Planned improvements include enhanced parking areas, upgraded picnic facilities and a new trailhead kiosk designed to create an even more welcoming place for residents and visitors to relax, restore and explore while enjoying one of the Valley’s most scenic roadside destinations.
As summer approaches, stewardMRV’s early season success stands as a powerful reminder that when a community shares a common goal of caring for the places we love, everyone benefits and the entire Valley shines a little brighter.
Spencer lives in Warren and is the stewardMRV director.
