Raptor Feeding Time
2025-07-11 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-12 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-13 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-14 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-15 14:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Predators of the Sky
2025-07-11 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-12 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-13 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-14 15:00 - 15:30
Predators of the Sky
3 PM – 3:30 PM
Take flight with us for 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. What makes a bird a raptor? How sharp are those talons? What does an owl’s wing sound like as it moves through the air? Join a VINS Educator and explore these adaptations and meet some of these birds up close.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Hawk on the Walk
2025-07-11 16:00, 2025-07-12 16:00, 2025-07-13 16:00
Hawk on the Walk
FRI / SAT / SUN
4 PM – 4:15 PM
Keep an eye out while exploring the VINS Canopy Walk at this time. You might get the chance to watch a Harris’s Hawk diving and weaving among the trees!
Held on the Forest Canopy Walk. This program is weather dependent.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Incredible Insect Festival
2025-07-12 10:00 - 17:00
Incredible Insect Festival
Saturday, July 12 / 10 AM – 5 PM
Included with General Admission
VINS Members FREE
Welcome to the fascinating world of insects at the Incredible Insect Festival! Visit with the Caterpillar Lab as they showcase a wide selection of native caterpillars. Learn about the importance of pollinators while you meet a local beekeeper and get up close and personal with invertebrates of all shapes with Uncharted Wild. Meet the researchers of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies who have an active research site right in our meadow. Through demonstrations, exhibits, games and crafts, visitors to the VINS Nature Center will have a fun day discovering the incredible insects we share our planet with.
Station Schedule:
10:00AM – 4:00PM: Caterpillar Lab – Learn about the wonderful world of caterpillars with the Caterpillar Lab! Meet native New England caterpillars and take a close look with a magnifying camera. (August Pavilion)
10:00AM – 5:00PM: Black River Action Team – Did you know many insects live underwater too? Meet some live aquatic invertebrates from your local rivers and ponds, and ask a river scientist how you can help keep their homes clean and healthy. (HawkFly)
10:00AM – 5:00PM: Beekeeper Peter Hadeka – Come learn about the fascinating life of a bee hive with local beekeepers and some members of their hive on display. Honey for sale! (Forest Exhibit Overhang)
10:00AM – 5:00PM: Research in the Meadow – Want to learn about the latest research on pollinators, and how you can attract these important insects to your yard? VINS has partnered with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies to help them study the relationship between our local pollinators and a variety of native plant species. Ask real scientists questions about their work! (Meadow)
10:00AM – 5:00PM: Bug Safaris – Catch and identify the bugs of the meadow! Educators will be with you to help you spot and identify the critters you find. How many bugs will you catch? (Meadow Walk)
10:00AM – 5:00PM: Bugs of the Canopy Walk – Learn about what makes a bug a bug and even design your own. Maybe you’ll even spot a few wild bugs among the treetops! (Forest Canopy Walk)
10:00AM – 5:00PM: Gettin’ Buggy Crafts – Create an insect inspired by all the wonderful bugs you have seen around VINS: color, draw, and get creative with crafts! (Neale Pavilion Overhang)
Program Schedule:
10:30AM – 11:00AM: BUGS! – Laugh and learn with Jackson Gilman about doodlebugs, spiders, ants and other crawlies featured in this low-life revue! (Neale Pavilion)
11:00AM – 11:30AM: Invertebrates with Uncharted Wild – This up-close encounter will be sure to delight folks of all ages with a collection of invertebrates. Learn why spiders aren’t insects and how these tiny creatures survive in this big, big world. (HawkFly)
1:00PM – 1:30PM: Songbird Aviary Tour – If you love birds, you should definitely love bugs! Did you know that most songbirds depend on caterpillars to feed their young? Learn all about the songbirds that call VINS home in our wonderful aviary and how you can help their wild counterparts. (Songbird Aviary)
2:00PM – 3:00PM: Backyard Caterpillars with Jack Forrester – Join experts from The Caterpillar Lab to explore the impressive diversity of our very own backyards with photographs, videos, and a live microscope view. This talk will cover some insects that may be familiar and common, and some that may be brand new with exciting life histories all occurring seasonally in New England. Spend some time exploring ways The Caterpillar Lab finds these animals outside before learning some tips, tricks, and tools you can use to find, attract, and help support more caterpillars and moths in your own habitats. No matter your level of experience with local Lepidoptera, you can plan to leave this talk having learned something new! (Neale Pavilion)
3:00PM – 3:30PM: Predators of the Sky – Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors and which ones are big fans of bugs! (HawkFly)
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Natural Wonders
2025-07-12 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-07-13 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-07-14 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-07-15 10:30 - 11:00
Natural Wonders
10:30 AM – 11 AM
Join us on a journey of discovery through the wonders of the natural world. Designed for families with young children, this short interactive program explores a range of engaging topics including animals of New England, animal engineers, and local habitats.*
Meet a VINS Educator outside the Forest Exhibit.
*Includes a live animal on Saturdays and Sundays only
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Predators of the Sky
2025-07-12 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-13 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-14 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-15 11:00 - 11:30
Predators of the Sky
11 AM – 11:30 AM
Take flight with us for 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. What makes a bird a raptor? How sharp are those talons? What does an owl’s wing sound like as it moves through the air? Join a VINS Educator and explore these adaptations and meet some of these birds up close.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Rotating Education Station
2025-07-12 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-13 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-14 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-15 13:00 - 13:30
Rotating Education Station
1 PM – 1:30 PM
Something new every day! Take a stroll with one of our experienced educators through the woods or the meadow, learn about what’s going on behind the scenes in the Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation and Ambassador Care, or what the research team is working on in the field. We’re excited to highlight the most interesting things happening in the natural world in an interactive and engaging activity each day.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2025-07-12 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-13 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-14 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-15 14:00 - 14:20
Songbird Aviary Tour
2 PM – 2:20 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.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Yoga in the Canopy
2025-07-13 09:00 - 10:15 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Yoga in the Canopy
Sundays, July 13 & 20, August 3 & 24 / 9 – 10:15 AM
Sunday, September 7 / 4 – 5:15 PM
General Public: $26, VINS Members: $22; Registration is required as space is limited.
$2 off each additional registration if you sign up for multiple sessions. Enter Discount Code: MULTI25 at checkout.
Register today
Welcome to a yoga class like you’ve never experienced before. Ascend into the treetops on the Forest Canopy Walk and immerse yourself in the beauty of the summer foliage. Expect a slow-flow class that will incorporate sun salutations, standing poses, balance poses, and brief meditation. All levels of experience are welcome.
Details For Participants:
Participants should dress in layers for being outdoors and bring a yoga mat.
This workshop is designed for adults 18 and up. Interested youth 13 and up may participate with an adult.
In the event of rain, this event will be relocated to a covered outdoor area.
About the Instructor:
Sharon Comeau has been practicing yoga since 1999 and teaching since 2005. She started as an apprentice under Leslie Carleton’s fine tutelage, and received certification from Yoga Alliance in 2010, after studying with Deb Neubauer and Todd Norian. Sharon came to yoga from her interest in movement, as an athlete and dancer for most of her life. She started with Bikram Yoga, moved to the Upper Valley and in her yoga practice into vinyasa yoga, and her teacher training was in Hatha Yoga, focused on the Anusara School of Yoga. Known for her attention to detail, kind teaching, and heart-centered themes, Sharon is pleased to welcome yogis of all traditions and levels into her classes.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.
