Emily Johnson, Author at Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Rescued American kestrel bird turns to painting after losing ability to fly via USA Today

By Emily Johnson | October 24, 2023

Have you ever wanted to make art in the presence of a bird of prey?

Thanks to an army of dedicated people who have made it their job to protect threatened and injured birds, dozens of rescued raptors live as bird ambassadors in the village of Quechee, about 90 miles south of Burlington, Vermont.

VINS Offers Exciting Array of Live Animal Programs This Summer

By Emily Johnson | May 10, 2023

This summer, there are new live animal education programs at the VINS Nature Center! We are so excited to diversify the types of interactive experiences we offer visitors, all while maintaining an expert level of care and training for our collection of ambassador animals. Beginning June 17, visitors will enjoy new and long-running favorite programs throughout the summer months.

VINS Partners with Trout Unlimited

By Emily Johnson | April 13, 2023

VINS is delighted to partner with the Vermont Council of Trout Unlimited to support the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program in schools across the state. Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program in which students raise brook trout from eggs delivered in January by Trout Unlimited before releasing them in a local stream in late spring.

VINS Receives Prestigious Recognition for Forest Canopy Walk

By Emily Johnson | December 6, 2022

At its recent 50th Anniversary celebration, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science was honored with a first-of-its-kind recognition. Presented by Dr. Margaret “Canopy Meg” Lowman, VINS was given a Platinum Plaque from Mission Green, a new program whose mission it is to save 10 of the world’s most endangered forests by 2030 through the creation of canopy walkways.

The Return of Escaped Harris’s Hawk Paige

By Emily Johnson | August 4, 2021

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science is excited and relieved to announce that Paige, a Harris’s Hawk who flew off during a training session last month, is back home at the VINS Nature Center. Paige came to VINS in November of 2019 from a licensed falconer in Texas.