Mobile App Boosts Outdoor Recreation in Vermont
Organization Profile
- Population: 647,064 (2022 estimate)
- Tyler Client Since: 2006
- Project: Mobile Digital Solution for Outdoor Recreation
- Profile: Vermont partners with Tyler Technologies to modernize government services. More than 100 of the state’s government agencies use Tyler’s solutions to enhance the resident experience, create efficiencies, and improve outcomes for the Green Mountain State’s more than 600,000 residents.
Challenge
Recreation in Vermont’s natural landscapes holds significant economic importance, with snow sports coming in at number one and hunting, shooting, and trapping ranking second, while fishing and boating substantially contributing as well. More than 15,000 Vermonters are employed in outdoor recreation, whether by the state or independent outfitters, indicating its substantial impact on the state’s economy. Wildlife-based recreation is particularly significant, with nearly 70,000 licensed hunters and about 87,000 licensed anglers each year driving economic activity, especially in rural areas. Given the value and importance of outdoor recreational activities, the state wanted to empower outdoor enthusiasts to make informed decisions while enjoying Vermont’s natural beauty. This aligned with the department’s broader goal of simplifying interactions with state agencies, fostering economic stability, and enhancing recreational opportunities for all Vermonters.
The Vermont Outdoors app is a great tool that provides people with meaningful outdoor recreation information right at their fingertips. It allows the recreating public to find places to hunt, fish, or boat across the entire state. You can search regulations, upload citizen science data, or contact your local warden.
Mike Wichrowski
Vermont Fish and Wildlife
Solution
In 2021, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife released Vermont Outdoors, a mobile app that provides users with comprehensive information about outdoor activities across the state, including directions to boat ramps, fishing and hunting locations, and wildlife management areas. The app also offers up-to-date information on fish and wildlife regulations, including hunting seasons and trapping guidelines; a portal for purchasing or renewing licenses and permits for various outdoor activities; and reporting capabilities that allow users to report wildlife sightings, submit nuisance wildlife reports (such as black bears), and report violations through the “Operation Game Thief” program. Available for both Apple and Android devices, the app was released to coincide with the end of deer season and the upcoming muzzleloader season, providing timely access to vital information for outdoor enthusiasts.
Results
Within the first week of launch, the service had close to 5,000 downloads with steady usage continuing year over year. The app incorporates innovative geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and location services to easily locate various amenities such as big game reporting stations, boat ramps, shooting ranges, and designated hikes for plant enthusiasts.
Additionally, the system enables seamless reporting of violations. The app ensures efficient communication between users and staff, proactive resource management, and a pleasant user experience that ultimately enhances safety and accessibility for outdoor enthusiasts, all while saving users’ time and freeing up agency staff to focus on other areas of need.
Conclusion
Technology and nature may seem to be at odds, but Vermont was able to harness and leverage technology to enhance residents’ enjoyment of the outdoors, make government interactions easier and more enjoyable, improve wildlife management, foster economic stability, and make Vermont’s beauty more accessible. The state has bridged this gap, setting a course of enjoyment for many generations to come.