Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation requests roughly $54 million for FY26 as federal grants and park upkeep rise

For the record, Dani Vitsko, Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation, said the department’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget is about $54 million, an increase of roughly $7.1 million from FY25, with most of the growth tied to federal awards and higher operating costs.

The funding rise comes as Vermont State Parks reported more than 1 million visitors during the operating season and the agency manages roughly $280 million in park infrastructure, Vitsko said. "We're forest strong," she added, describing Vermont as about 76% forested and stressing the state’s recreational demand.

The increase includes about $1.5 million in additional general fund support; the remainder is distributed across federal, special and interdepartmental funds, Ansley Glimmer, the department’s director of finance and administration, told the committee. Federal funds are up by nearly $4 million, Glimmer said, driven by awards from the U.S. Forest Service and the Northern Border Regional Commission and increased core funding from the Federal Highway Administration recreation-trails program.

Why it matters: State parks and lands require major yearly maintenance and contracting. Vitsko said the parks program brings seasonal employment—roughly 450 seasonal staff on top of about 135 year-round positions—and runs a large number of vendor relationships (the department processes thousands of invoices annually and manages some 300 individual contracts and multiple umbrella contracts).

Key initiatives and risks - Federal grants: FPR reported approximately $50 million in federal awards, with $38 million unexpended and 147 active subrecipient awards. Vitsko said about $5.5 million in grants tied to the Inflation Reduction Act and one larger award are currently frozen pending federal actions. "We have some that help us implement our forest action plan… about $5,500,000 that we are not able to" draw down now, she said. - Land and outdoor access projects: The department described an interdepartmental MOU with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development for roughly $1 million to support three projects: improvements at Bingham Falls in Stowe, rehabilitation of two historic fire towers, and gateway and stormwater and parking improvements at Smugglers' Notch. - Park operations and assets: Vitsko said state parks saw a 41% visitation increase over six years and that operating expenses have risen about 34% over five years, driven by inflation, energy and contract costs. She highlighted rising trash-removal and firewood costs as examples. - Clean-water and resiliency equipment: The department plans to expand its inventory of portable steel skidder bridges—used to protect water quality during forestry operations—and to lend bridges to municipalities after storms.

Budget composition and staffing Glimer told the committee the total FY26 FPR budget is roughly $54 million and that personnel services line showed about an 18% increase year over year; she clarified in discussion that Vantage (the state's budgeting system) groups salaries, benefits and contracted services within that line, and that a notable portion of the increase reflects contract work rather than new payroll obligations. The department added two federally funded positions to support recreation grants through Land and Water Conservation Fund awards.

Federal award management and drawdowns Vitsko and Glimmer described supply-chain and federal-administration delays affecting drawdowns from the U.S. Forest Service and other federal programs. The Land and Water Conservation Fund awards—about $2 million in play for outdoor recreation projects—appear more stable, department staff said, and FPR reported recent draws of nearly $900,000 from that fund.

Program priorities and planning Vitsko highlighted three recent strategic efforts: a Forest Future roadmap (a 10‑year vision requested by the General Assembly), a state parks modernization study as the parks system celebrates its centennial, and a new statewide outdoor recreation initiative called "Move Forward Vermont Together," focused on stewardship, wellness and economic development.

What the committee asked and next steps Committee members questioned the size of the personnel-services increase and drawdown timing for federal awards. FPR said it will follow up with the committee and with the Appropriations liaison (Trevor) on outstanding details and federal draw schedules. The department also noted ongoing work with the Buildings & General Services procurement framework for large contracts.

Ending: The department concluded its presentation without a committee vote and said staff would provide requested follow-up materials to the Appropriations Committee.