The VINS Nature Center is open daily from 10am – 5pm.
All outdoor exhibits are open: Raptors, Songbird Aviary, Adventure Playscape, Nature Trails, and the amazing Forest Canopy Walk. Our indoor exhibits are open: Birds Are Dinosaurs, Forest Exhibit, and Reptile Room.
"My daughter and I enjoyed our visit yesterday very much. You continue to do outstanding work to preserve the natural world and educate people about your mission. I was very inspired by all that I saw and experienced. I wanted to share a photo of the volunteer that inspired me with her kindness, wealth of knowledge, and expertise in the care and handling of the amazing birds currently on site."
VINS Nature Center Visitor
"VINS (Vermont Institute of Natural Science) is a fantastic destination for nature lovers, featuring scenic trails, interactive exhibits, and incredible up-close encounters with birds of prey. The live raptor programs are both educational and engaging, offering insight into wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. The beautiful setting, hands-on learning experiences, and well-maintained facilities make it a perfect spot for families, hikers, and anyone passionate about nature. Whether exploring the nature trails or watching majestic eagles and owls, VINS offers an unforgettable experience that inspires a deeper appreciation for wildlife."
VINS Nature Center Visitor
"Fun place to go to and take your kids, close encounters with some of the most iconic birds - bald and golden eagles, snow owls etc., canopy trail is really cool."
VINS Nature Center Visitor
"Wonderful place for a day trip! Educational and amazing! Great staff that are helpful and very knowledgeable."
VINS Nature Center Visitor
"Awesome place to visit! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the birds are beautiful. The new treetop walk offers spectacular views of the surrounding pond, and the tall tower is a little scary! Come prepared to wear a mask and follow the safety guidelines set by the institute. Staff is very dedicated to making your visit a safe one!"
OCTOBER 17 – NOVEMBER 9 – The VINS annual auction will raise funds to support our work across the entire organization: our environmental education programs, research, and wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Our goal is $18,000. Your participation in the auction helps us reach thousands of children, educators, adult learners and bird patients each year. Whether you’re looking for something special for yourself or a loved one, this is a wonderful way to support VINS and local businesses this holiday season.
OCTOBER 26 – Join VINS and local photojournalist Rob Strong for an exclusive photo shoot with several of our resident raptors that will leave you with stunning pictures and great memories. This workshop will focus on capturing portraits of VINS’ feathered team members.
OCTOBER 30 – Join VINS Executive Director Alden Smith to explore the poetry of Robert Frost. Each session will be dedicated to reading and interpreting poems relevant to the season. These workshops will involve gentle trail walking through the woods and meadow of the VINS Nature Center, visiting natural spaces reminiscent of locations Frost wrote about. Poems will be sent to participants in advance of each session for those who want to read the poems ahead of time. The workshops will include walking, presentation, and discussion.