Meet Alden Smith
When Tennessee native Alden Smith graduated from Davidson College, he took an unexpected journey north. “Unexpected” because he planned to return south after a few years. Instead, he discovered a rewarding career, fell in love with Vermont, and now, three decades later, has become the new executive director of VINS, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, in Quechee.
VINS Celebrates 20 Years in Quechee
The VINS Nature Center celebrates 20 years in Quechee! Please join VINS on Saturday, June 8 to celebrate this milestone, National Great Outdoors Day, and Membership Appreciation Day. The day will be filled with live animal programs, scavenger hunts, guided nature walks, and multiple raffles.
VINS Announces the Science Symposium
Through guided, collaborative teaching, the Science Symposium gets students engaged in authentic, real-world science projects. This year’s themes include Life and the Lithosphere, Life and the Hydrosphere, Life and the Atmosphere, and Community Problem Solvers.
VINS Appoints Next Executive Director Alden Smith
The VINS Board of Trustees named Alden Smith the next Executive Director of the Quechee-based environmental education nonprofit. Smith will serve as chief strategist, fundraiser, educational leader, and operational manager of the organization.
Rescued American kestrel bird turns to painting after losing ability to fly via USA Today
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
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.
The Return of Escaped Harris’s Hawk Paige
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.
Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation Research
VINS Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation (CWBR) staff is aiding in monitoring the health of avian wildlife. Partnering with various organizations, CWBR is contributing to research efforts focused on Common Loon and Ruffed Grouse conservation, as well as leading a study on blood parasites in Vermont wild birds.
New Spring Program Schedule
VINS welcomes the spring season by extending open hours at the VINS Nature Center and offering new daily programs. Beginning May 1, VINS Nature Center will resume live bird programs, and the Forest Exhibit and Reptile Room will be open to viewers of all ages.
VINS Announces Winter Raptor Research Project
This winter and early spring, VINS is collecting information about the winter distribution of Red-tailed Hawks in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. The goal is to better understand the size of the wintering ranges required by individual Red-tailed Hawks, as well as the available food supply.