Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Songbird Aviary Tour
2025-06-02 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-06-03 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-06-04 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-06-05 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-06-06 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-06-08 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-06-09 12:30 - 12:50, 2025-06-10 12:30 - 12:50 (America/New_York)
Songbird Aviary Tour
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Spend some time in our Songbird Aviary! Our docents will familiarize you with this special group of birds and point out the ways you can make a great habitat for these important creatures in your own backyard.
Held in the Songbird Aviary.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Animal Encounter
2025-06-02 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-06-03 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-06-04 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-06-05 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-06-06 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-06-08 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-06-09 14:00 - 14:20
Animal Encounter
2 PM – 2:20 PM
Meet an ambassador animal and hear their story while we learn about the adaptations they have that help their species survive in the wild. Join us for a reptile ambassador on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, or a raptor ambassador on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday!
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Raptor Feeding Time
2025-06-02 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-06-03 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-06-04 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-06-05 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-06-06 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-06-08 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-06-09 14:30 - 15:00
Raptor Feeding Time
2:30 PM – 3 PM
Join our raptor care-givers for feeding time! Learn about the habits and history of each of the resident raptors at VINS as you watch them enjoy their daily meal.
Held in the Raptor Exhibits.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Raptors Up Close
2025-06-03 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-04 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-05 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-06 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-08 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-09 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-10 11:00 - 11:30
Raptors Up Close
11 AM – 11:30 AM
Take flight with us on an unforgettable experience! We’ll show you the unique nature of some of the world’s most highly skilled predators – raptors! In this live bird demonstration you’ll gain an up-close view and an in-depth understanding of these majestic birds.
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Remarkable Reptile Day
2025-06-07 10:00 - 17:00
Remarkable Reptile Day
Saturday, June 7 / 10 AM – 5 PM
Included with General Admission
Join us for a day celebrating all things reptiles! From turtle shells to snake smells, you will discover the amazing world of reptile adaptations. Enjoy close encounters, hands-on activities, crafts and more! Science speakers from the Vermont Herpetological Atlas and Orianne Society will cover current topics about both turtles and snakes in the state, so bring your curious questions for these awesome biologists. Meet native reptiles from the Vermont Natural History Museum and exotic species with Uncharted Wild, and learn what it really takes to care for reptiles with local pet rescue the Cold Blooded Crusaders. Join us and learn what makes reptiles so remarkable!
Program Schedule:
All-Day Activities:
10:00AM – 4:30PM: Cold-blooded Crafts – Get inspired by the beauty of reptiles and create something fun to take home! (August Pavilion)
10:00AM – 4:30PM: Reptile Games – Get stompin’ and slitherin’ as you explore the world of reptiles. Includes water games. (Near the Arc sculpture)
10:00AM – 4:30PM: Know Your Reptiles! – Think you can identify Vermont’s reptiles? Come visit the Canopy Walk to test your knowledge and learn more about the reptiles that might call your backyard home. (Forest Canopy Walk)
10:00AM – 4:00PM: Vermont Museum of Natural History – Chat with the educators at Vermont Museum of Natural History about some of the live reptiles they care for. (Neale overhang)
11:00 AM – 4:00PM: Saving Reptiles – Meet the dedicated folks from Vermont’s Cold Blooded Crusaders who rescue pet reptiles that need new homes. Learn about what it really takes to care for our scaly friends before you bring one home. Ask their knowledgeable staff all your reptile care questions and meet some of their ambassador animals! (Pop-up Corner)

Timed Programs:
10:00AM – 10:30AM: Reptile Mythbusting – Are snakes really deaf? Can a turtle change shells? Let’s bust some common myths surrounding our cold-blooded friends! (Hawkfly)
11:00AM -12:00PM: Reptiles of the World – Uncharted Wild will delight folks of all ages as they present reptiles from around the world. (Hawkfly)
12:00PM – 1:00PM: Turtles of Vermont with Kiley Briggs – How many turtles call Vermont home? Dive into the world of Vermont’s turtles with The Orianne Society biologist Kiley Briggs as he shares stories of protecting and studying the turtles of Vermont! (Neale Pavilion)
1:00PM – 2:00PM: Reptiles of the World – Uncharted Wild will delight folks of all ages as they present reptiles from around the world. (Hawkfly)
2:00PM – 3:00PM: Snakes of Vermont with Ira Powsner – Learn about the incredible diversity of snakes that call Vermont home, and the role that the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas has played in identifying and protecting threatened species across the state. (Neale Pavilion)
3:00PM – 4:00PM: Reptiles of New England – Meet some reptiles that call New England home with the Vermont Museum of Natural History. (Hawkfly)
4:00PM – 4:30PM: Reptile Myth-busting – Are snakes really deaf? Can a turtle change shells? Let’s bust some common myths surrounding our cold-blooded friends! (Hawkfly)
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.
