Artist Exhibition – Betsy Smith
NOVEMBER 1 – JANUARY 31 – Betsy Smith’s artwork is a celebration of the amazing natural world around us, from distant galaxies to the fascinating wild creatures with whom we share our sacred Earth. Her preferred mediums are watercolors and acrylics. She particularly enjoys watercolor painting on location, where the experience of sunlight, weather, and birdsongs adds a lively dimension to the creative process.
Night Hike
JANUARY 25 – Experience the night through your senses and learn how our local wildlife experience the night-time a little bit differently. Play games, test your color vision, learn about different types of light after dark, and meet one of our education owls!
Artist Exhibition – Sandra Grant
FEBRUARY 1 – APRIL 30 – A lifelong fiber artist, Sandra brings color, texture, and innovation to her rug hooking creations, often inspired by birds. Her award-winning work has been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen shows, and the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild (GMRHG) exhibit, where she also serves as Education Chair.
Superb Owls
FEBRUARY 8 – Meet our ambassador owls and learn about what makes them such tough competition in the fields. Play owl games to learn what it’s like to hunt as an owl, and take a closer look inside the food chain through an owl pellet dissection.
CSI for the Ocean
FEBRUARY 11 – Plastic pollution is a global issue, with debris ranging from large fishing nets to microplastics infiltrating all oceans, including remote polar regions. Join VINS for a talk with Brooke Winslow of the Rozalia Project, who will share insights from her research with National Geographic Explorer Rachael Zoe Miller. Using forensic techniques, they investigate microplastic pollution in the Arctic and Antarctic to identify sources and develop actionable solutions for cleaner oceans.
Pokémon Go Birding!
FEBRUARY 15 – Professor Oak needs your help to “catch” real-life Pokémon at VINS! Join the Great Backyard Bird Count by photographing birds at our feeders, then report your findings to our team of Pokémon scientists for identification and fun facts. As a reward, you’ll receive collectible cards for each species you discover and contribute to real-world bird research!
Winter Wildlife Celebration
FEBRUARY 15 – Vermont’s wildlife thrives even in the coldest season! Discover how creatures like songbirds, raptors, reptiles, and reindeer survive the snow with activities like the Great Backyard Bird Count, winter games in the Hawkfly, and an up-close visit from the Vermont Reindeer Farm. Meet the resident VINS wildlife and uncover the wonders of winter, snow or no snow!
Owl Prowl
FEBRUARY 28 & MARCH 14 – Explore the natural world as we hike the beautiful trails at the VINS Nature Center and prowl for owls. Find out “Hooo’s” out there making raucous noises in the nighttime forest and discover the secret life of New England’s nocturnal residents.
Amphibian Adventure
MARCH 22 – Why did the salamander cross the road? Join a VINS educator to find out on an amphibian adventure! Learn what makes amphibians such amazing animals by playing games to see if you can hop as far as a frog or if you can find your way to a vernal pool.
Owl Festival
APRIL 26 – Join us for a day of all things owl! Meet live owls that range from Vermont’s forests to habitats all over the world and discover their life stories. Join in a craft inspired by owls, and play games to test your own owl skills. Learn all about the amazing world of owls and how you can help the ones in your backyard.