Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Rotating Education Station
2025-08-03 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-08-02 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-08-01 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-31 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-30 13:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
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.

Predators of the Sky
2025-08-03 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-08-02 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-08-01 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-31 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-30 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.

Natural Wonders
2025-08-03 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-08-02 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-08-01 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.

Yoga in the Canopy
2025-08-03 09:00 - 10:15 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Yoga in the Canopy
Sundays, 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.

Hawk on the Walk
2025-08-02 16:00, 2025-08-01 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.

Predators of the Sky
2025-08-02 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-08-01 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-31 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-30 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.

Raptor Feeding Time
2025-08-02 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-08-01 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-31 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-30 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.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2025-08-02 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-08-01 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-31 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-30 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.

Magnificent Mammals Day
2025-08-02 10:00 - 17:00
Magnificent Mammals Day
Saturday, August 2 / 10 AM – 5 PM
Included with General Admission
Join us for a day exploring the amazing diversity of mammals. Discover the specialties of our furred cousins and find out how important they are to our ecosystems. Meet a few live mammals that could live in your backyard with Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, and explore the wonderful world of goats with Five Rooster Farm. Hear tales of the mystical world of mammals with the Vermont Museum of Natural History, be amazed to learn about the only group of mammals that can fly with experts from the Vermont Bat Center, and learn all about your aquatic mammal neighbors documented by James Heltz. With live mammals, pelts and skulls, and hands-on activities and crafts, it’s sure to be a magnificent day!
Event Schedule
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Vermont Museum of Natural History – Explore pelts and skulls of mammals across the world and meet a live mammal! (Neale Pavilion overhang)
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Meet the Goats of Five Rooster Farm – Discover the world of keeping goats! Learn all about their development and what it takes to care for goats with the wonderful folks at Five Rooster Farm. (Path to Songbird Aviary)
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Mammals of the Canopy Walk – Explore the mammals of VINS with images and videos from our trail cameras! (Forest Canopy Walk).
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Tracks and Scats – Who’s been in your backyard? Learn about what clues mammals leave behind as they pass by! (Forest Exhibit overhang)
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Skull Matching – Test your knowledge and match the mammal with its skull! Learn how to identify mammal skulls and what you can learn about their diet just from their teeth. (Next to the Forest Exhibit)
10 AM – 4:30 PM
Mammal Crafts – Let your creativity free and be inspired by the wonderful world of mammals. (August Pavilion)
10:30 AM – 11 AM
Nature in Action, Story and Song – Sing along to stories about the wild and wonderful animals around us with “Stand-up Chameleon” Jackson Gilman! (Neale Pavilion)
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Raptor Encounter – What’s the difference between a bird and a mammal? Meet one of our avian education ambassadors up close and ask an educator! (HawkFly)
11 AM – 12 PM
Mammals of New England with Squam Lakes Natural Science Center – Meet some of the magnificent mammals that live in the forests around us and learn how they survive in the wild. (HawkFly)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Bats are Mammals Too! – Learn all about the only flighted mammal with local expert, Berry Genzlinger from the Vermont Bat Center. How do bats fly? Where do they live? What do they eat? Which ones live in your backyard and how can you help them? All this and more! (Neale Pavilion)
2 PM – 3 PM
Mammal Tales with the Vermont Museum of Natural History – Take a journey around the world as a Storytelling Naturalist shares tales of animals and magic from around the world. (HawkFly)
3 PM – 3:30 PM
Goats with Five Rooster Farm – What do you call a baby goat? How long does it take for them to grow their horns? What do their headbutts mean? Can you train a goat? Learn all about goats and how they are cared for with the wonderful folks from Five Rooster Farm! (HawkFly)
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
New Neighbors – Meet your new neighbors, the beavers! Enjoy a wonderful documentary about learning to live alongside these fascinating animals in this film by James Heltz. Stick around for questions and behind the scenes details of the film. (Neale Pavilion)
4 PM – 4:15 PM
Raptor Encounter – What’s the difference between a bird and a mammal? Meet one of our avian education ambassadors up close and ask an educator! (HawkFly)
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Robert Frost Through the Seasons: Summer
2025-07-31 15:30 - 17:00 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Summer Poems: Thursdays, July 31 & August 14
Fall Poems: Dates TBD
Winter Poems: Dates TBD
3:30 – 5 PM
Cost: $14 General Public ($2 discount per session if sign up for multiple sessions – Use code MULTI25 in Shopping Cart)
VINS Members – free
Advanced registration required as space is limited. Register today.
Join VINS Executive Director Alden Smith to explore the poetry of Robert Frost. Each session will be dedicated to reading and interpreting poems relevant to the season.
These workshops will involve gentle trail walking through the woods and meadow of the VINS Nature Center, visiting natural spaces reminiscent of locations Frost wrote about. Poems will be sent to participants in advance of each session for those who want to read the poems ahead of time. The workshops will include walking, presentation, and discussion.
Each session will be unique; come for all of them or just one!
Details for Participants:
Classes will be held outdoors. Participants should dress for the weather.
