Join us for Owl Festival!

Welcome to VINS

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.

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

Contact Us

Nature Center Hours

VINS Nature Center
10 AM to 5 PM Daily

Wild Bird Rehab
802.359.5000 x212
8 AM to 4:30 PM Daily

"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!"

VINS Nature Center Visitor

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.

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Fiddlehead Foray

MAY 3 & 8 – Fiddleheads have a very narrow season, only lasting from late April to early May. During that time, foragers fan out across Vermont’s woodlands in search of these culinary treasures.
The workshop will explore the trails of the VINS Nature Center, ending in an Ostrich Fern glade, where participants can harvest fiddleheads to take home along with a suggested recipe for cooking them. Participants will be introduced to foraging safety as well as the sustainability and ethics of harvesting wild edibles.

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Pokémon Go Birding!

MAY 10 – 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!

Read More about Pokémon Go Birding!
Forest Canopy Walk

Forest Canopy Walk