Welcome to VINS
The VINS Nature Center is open daily from 10am – 4pm. All outdoor exhibits are open: Raptors, Songbirds, Adventure Playscape, Nature Trails, and the amazing Forest Canopy Walk. In addition, our indoor exhibits are open: Birds Are Dinosaurs and the Forest Exhibit. We highly recommend prepurchasing your admission tickets to avoid long lines at the welcome center. We welcome all walk-ins.
Safety is Our Priority
Masks are required in all indoor spaces at the Nature Center, regardless of your vaccination status.
Contact Us
Nature Center Hours
VINS Nature Center
10am to 4pm Daily
Accepting Injured Birds
8am to 4pm Daily
802.359.5000 x212
VINS After Dark
DECEMBER 18 – Explore the wintery wonder of the VINS Nature Center in a whole new way. Wander the Forest Canopy Walk by moonlight, taking a moment to stargaze from your perch above the treetops. Bring your own snowshoes (or borrow ours) and hike the forest trails, listening for owls and other nocturnal creatures. You won’t want to miss this special event!
Winter Homeschool Series: Cycles & Change
JAN 11, 18, 25, & FEB 1 – Join our Science Educators on Tuesday mornings for a four-lesson virtual series. Learn about the continuous changes in nature from water cycles to life cycles. This will include a 20-30 minute Zoom meeting, virtual and printable resources, and a virtual Google Classroom with activities and extensions.
Homeschool Day: Tracking & Animal Signs
FEBRUARY 8 – Join our Science Educators in person at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science for a hands-on exploration of tracking and other animal signs. Learn about the best places to find tracks, how to identify certain animals by their footprints, and where else to look for signs of animal passage besides the ground. We will be moving around for this lesson, but be sure to bundle up!
