Upcoming Winter Events

Welcome to VINS

The VINS Nature Center is open daily from 10am – 4pm.

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.

We highly recommend prepurchasing your admission tickets. We welcome all walk-ins.

Contact Us

Nature Center Hours

VINS Nature Center
10am to 4pm Daily

Wild Bird Rehab is Open
Accepting Calls Only
802.359.5000 x212
8am to 4pm

"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

"A must-visit! Perfect for social distancing - very safe and still so much to explore! The bald eagles were the highlight...and

the birds-are-dinosaurs exhibit is extremely well done, and the canopy walk is gorgeous (and easy even with little children)."

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!"

VINS Nature Center Visitor

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.

Read More about Artist Exhibition – Sandra Grant

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.

Read More about CSI for the Ocean

Birding Meet-ups

FEBRUARY 15 – Meet at the VINS Nature Center for these informal gatherings with fellow birders.  The Meet-up may take place at VINS or travel as a group to nearby locations such as Dewey’s Pond or the Quechee Gorge to visit the varied habitats of our area.

Read More about Birding Meet-ups
Forest Canopy Walk

Forest Canopy Walk