From June 2–5, 2025, more than 100 outdoor recreation professionals, planners, managers, and researchers gathered in downtown Vancouver, Washington for a four-day event focused on the art and science of Visitor Use Management (VUM). Hosted at the Hilton Vancouver Washington and supported by sunny skies and light morning mists, the event included a two-day immersive training, a full-day symposium, and field workshops in some of the region’s most iconic landscapes.
The VUM Training: Foundations First
The event launched on June 2 with the Foundations of Visitor Use Management training, which brought together approximately 80 participants from across the U.S., Canada, and even Ireland. This engaging two-day training introduced the core principles of the VUM Framework through six interconnected sessions, hands-on activities, and in-depth discussions about defining and managing for desired future conditions in recreation settings.
Working in small groups, participants tackled realistic planning scenarios - navigating constraints, weighing trade-offs, and exploring how to balance high-quality visitor experiences with resource protection.
After a full day of learning and collaboration, attendees gathered for a relaxed networking happy hour at Loowit Brewing’s downtown pub. With the sun setting over the Columbia River, it was the perfect backdrop for casual conversation, connection, and plenty of fries.
Keynote Dinner & Raffle: Centering Tribal Voices
On the evening of June 3, participants gathered for a keynote dinner that spotlighted one of the most pressing issues in outdoor recreation today: the need for more culturally sensitive and sustainable approaches to managing recreation on Tribal lands. Cecilia Gobin (Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and member of the Tulalip Tribes), Peter Herzog (Washington State Parks), and Andrea Thorpe (Washington State Parks) shared insights from their work on the State-Tribal Recreation Impacts Initiative (STRII), a collaborative effort responding to years of Tribal advocacy for a more inclusive, respectful, and effective framework for addressing recreation impacts on state-managed lands.
Their conversation explored how STRII is helping to reimagine recreation planning through a co-stewardship lens - one that centers Tribal sovereignty, recognizes treaty rights, and embraces Indigenous knowledge systems. They also called attention to the limitations of the Visitor Use Management Framework, particularly its grounding in Western planning traditions, and encouraged attendees to think beyond standard models toward more holistic approaches. The evening closed with a lively raffle, adding a bit of celebration to a night rooted in powerful reflection and connection.
The VUM Symposium: A Day of Dialogue
The June 4 Symposium welcomed over 100 attendees for a full day of presentations, discussion, and knowledge exchange. The day began with a powerful plenary on Tribal Rights and Co-stewardship, grounding the event in the understanding that all visitor use planning must acknowledge and uphold Tribal sovereignty. From there, participants had the opportunity to dive deep into topics ranging from monitoring strategies in British Columbia to planning efforts on the Appalachian Trail. With 17 sessions across three themed tracks - VUM Application, Long-Distance Trails and Protected Areas, and Regional and Local Planning - participants explored practical case studies and emerging strategies from across North America. The sessions offered space not just to share what’s working, but to examine persistent challenges and inspire new collaborations.
Field Workshops: Learning from the Landscape
The final day, June 5, took participants out into the field to experience visitor use management in action. Attendees selected one of three field workshops:
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Pacific Crest Trail: Focused on balancing thru-hiker needs with resource protection.
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Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: Explored management of high-visitation sites, trail erosion, and scenic values.
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Silver Star Recreation Area: Examined varied access, ecological sensitivity, and sustainable trail design.
Each workshop offered the chance to learn directly from land managers, reflect on the complexities of implementation, and deepen understanding of place-based stewardship.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Visitor Use Management Training and Symposium was a testament to the collective commitment of planners, managers, and advocates working to ensure that visitor experiences are thoughtfully supported in ways that uphold the integrity of cultural and natural resources. Through shared learning, field immersion, and the centering of Tribal voices, participants left the event better equipped to navigate the real-world decisions that shape recreation planning in their own regions.
For those who couldn’t join in person, or who want to continue deepening their knowledge, a virtual Visitor Use Management training will be held September 16-18, 2025. Stay tuned for registration details, and join us in advancing the dialogue around effective and inclusive visitor use management strategies.