For the fourth consecutive year the Mad River Valley town’s Green Up Committees are collaborating under the banner of the Green Valley Rally on Vermont’s annual Green Up Day. On May 2, 2026  the Green Valley Rally will be the epicenter for all Green Up Day activities here in the MRV. It will take place at the Mad River Valley Welcome Center (at the corner of Routes 100 and 17) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can stop by to pick up Green Up bags, morning snacks, and roadside assignments. People will also have the chance to learn more about our partnering organizations such as the Friends of the Mad River, stewardMRV, Mad River Bear Inititative, the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Mad RIver Riders, the Mad River Path, valley conservation and knotweed eradication programs, and other stewardship organizations.

GREEN UP DAY BOTTLE DRIVE
Organizers are  asking all Green Up Day volunteers to separate clean(ish) refundable cans found along the roadsides this year. They will provide separate clear bags for these cans and ask that people bring the bags back to the Welcome Center. Funds raised from redeemed the cans are donated to the Mad River Valley Interfaith Council, which serves neighbors in need.

MEET THE STEWARDSHIP PARTNERS
Starting at noon and running through 2 p.m. there will be a BBQ from noon to 2 p.m. for Green Up Day and stewardMRV volunteers. During that time there will also be a stewardMRV volunteer job fair. People can learn more about other conservation and stewardship opportunities. Representatives from various local organizations involved in stewardship in The Valley will be on hand to share information about volunteer opportunities. Those interested can look into becoming a stewardMRV site steward, a Friends of the Mad River Watch volunteer, a Mad River Path volunteer or even help out with the Mad River Valley Recreation District.

TIRE RECYCLING
The Mad River Resource Management Alliance (MRRMA) is collecting tires at the Earthwise Transfer Station on Green Up Day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those who find a tire along a roadside can bring it to the transfer station for recycling free of charge. To recycle personal tires, the MRRMA will process those (with or without rims) for $5 each.

VOLUNTEER BBQ
There will be a BBQ for all Green Up day volunteers to come celebrate our collective efforts. The grill will be lit starting at noon! The John Lackard Blues Band will be playing for the entertainment of our volunteers. Thanks to Afterthoughts and Valley Meade Dispensary for sponsoring the live music!

Join us for the Bear Fair!

BEAR FAIR
A fun and informative community event focused on how we can better coexist with black bears here in the Mad River Valley. The fair will feature five interactive “stations” highlighting common bear–human interactions and practical steps you can take to reduce conflicts at home and around your business. Explore topics like securing trash, managing compost, removing bird feeders, and using electrification to protect property—all presented in an approachable, hands-on way. Four stations will be set up in the Cousins Beer Garden area, with a fifth hosted at the Mad River Valley Chamber Visitor Center. Inside the Visitor Center, attendees can drop in to watch “Living with Bears” video presentation by Vermont Fish & Wildlife bear biologist Jaclyn Comeau, running on a continuous loop. Stop by anytime to learn more, ask questions, and leave better prepared to live responsibly alongside one of Vermont’s most iconic wild neighbors.

Meet me at Afterthoughts!

KENTUCKY DERBY HAT PARTY & APRES GREEN UP DAY AT AFTERTHOUGHTS
Green Up Day always coincides with the Kentucky Derby so Afterthoughts decided to host an Apres-Green Up Day Kentucky Derby party with a build your own Kentucky Derby hat contest. Entries (made at home and worn to the event) must be made from repurposed, reused and reimagined materials (not necessarily litter from Green Up Day). The event will start around 4 pm, contest judging at 5 pm., Derby viewing at 6:50.

For more Green Up Day information contact our local coordinators or the Green Up Day Town Details:

• Waitsfield: Bri Skoldberg, briskoldberg@gmail.com, 802-829-0878.
• Fayston: Patty Pasley, plpasley@gmail.com, 802-825-1893.
• Warren: Warren Town Office, clerk@warrenvt.org, 802-496-2709.
• Moretown: Mike Dimotsis, dimotsisjane@gmail.com, 802-469-2812.
• Duxbury: Jessica Engels, jessicaengels58@gmail.com, 802-244-7133
• Swim Holes, Ira Shadis, ira@friendsofthemadriver.org

THANKS TO OUR GREEN VALLEY RALLY SPONSORS!!!