Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Hawk on the Walk
2024-08-23 16:00 - 16:15, 2024-08-24 16:00 - 16:15, 2024-08-25 16:00 - 16:15 (America/New_York)
Hawk on the Walk
FRI / SAT / SUN
4 PM – 4:15 PM
What’s that shadow moving between the trees? Keep your eye to the sky on the Forest Canopy Walk while our Harris’s Hawk is out for a free-flight adventure!
Held on the Forest Canopy Walk. This program is weather dependent.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Drawing from Nature Class: Predators of the Sky
2024-08-24 09:00 - 12:00
Drawing from Nature Class: Predators of the Sky
Raptors, Vultures, and Corvids
A Workshop with Watercolor and Ink
Saturday, August 24 / 9 AM – 12 PM
$52 General Public, $47 VINS Member
Register Today*
*Sign up for multiple sessions and get a $5 discount on all classes. Use discount code MULTI24 in your cart.
Other Drawing from Nature Class dates:
October 5 – Fall Foliage: Leaves and Landscapes
Workshop Details:
Enjoy time sketching in the VINS raptor exhibits before the Nature Center opens to the public. You will have an opportunity to marvel at the unique adaptations of your choice of predator/scavenger from the sky, drawing them from life, aiming to express the personality and intelligence of your chosen subject. What distinguishes raptors from vultures from corvids? Meet a bird ambassador for an up close and personal view with time for photographs. Learn some tips for photographing birds as well as ID tips for the field – this will help you begin to create your own reference library. For the last hour of the workshop, you will begin a more finished work on a Raptor, Vulture or Corvid from your study.
Learn tips and tricks for drawing as well as for creating vivid pages that depict personal natural history experiences. Drawing, sketching, and watercolor experience are not necessary, all skill levels welcome.
Suggested Materials:

A water bottle
A high-quality journal with heavyweight, mixed media, or watercolor paper
HB pencil or mechanical pencil
An eraser
Micron pen size 01 and/or 005
Optional: your preferred art medium such as watercolor, gouache, or colored pencils

Instructor Bios:
Cynthia Moulton – Cynthia finds that observing and recording in a field journal enhances our engagement with the natural world. Teaching courses in ecology, animal diversity and biological illustration at Castleton University for the last 25 years has allowed her and her students to explore science through pen and ink, graphite and colored pencil.
Lois Moulton – Lois has been passionate about science illustration for years, creating numerous personal nature journals from her travels and time outdoors. As an educator at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts, she has been incorporating art as a tool for observation into her science classes since 1995. Lois specializes in watercolor and pen & ink.
For more information contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Turtle Time
2024-08-24 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-08-25 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-08-26 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-08-27 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-08-28 10:30 - 10:50
Turtle Time
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Meet Turt and Jersey, VINS Ambassador Turtles, as they have their morning stroll and breakfast. Chat with an educator about these cool creatures.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Predators of the Sky
2024-08-24 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-25 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-26 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-27 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-28 11:00 - 11:30
Predators of the Sky
11 AM – 11:30 AM
Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors. Be amazed by these efficient predators in an engaging presentation featuring VINS’ feathered ambassadors. Bird programs cover topics ranging from the mechanics of flight, seasonal migration and avian conservation issues to the extraordinary abilities of raptors. Through these in-depth and interactive programs, visitors gain newfound understanding and appreciation for what it takes to survive in the wild.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Reptile Rendezvous
2024-08-24 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-08-25 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-08-26 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-08-27 13:00 - 13:30
Reptile Rendezvous*
1 PM – 1:30 PM
Want to meet some totally “cool” creatures? Join a VINS Educator to learn all about our resident reptiles! We’ll listen to stories about how these creatures got their awesome adaptations, and meet a turtle or a snake.
*This program is dependent on the weather – our reptiles require warm temperatures.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2024-08-24 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-08-25 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-08-26 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-08-27 14:00 - 14:20
Songbird Aviary Tour
2 PM – 2:20 PM
Spend some time in our newest exhibit – the 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.

Raptor Feeding Time
2024-08-24 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-08-25 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-08-26 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-08-27 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.

Predators of the Sky
2024-08-24 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-08-25 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-08-26 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-08-27 15:00 - 15:30
Predators of the Sky
3 PM – 3:30 PM
Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors. Be amazed by these efficient predators in an engaging presentation featuring VINS’ feathered ambassadors. Bird programs cover topics ranging from the mechanics of flight, seasonal migration and avian conservation issues to the extraordinary abilities of raptors. Through these in-depth and interactive programs, visitors gain newfound understanding and appreciation for what it takes to survive in the wild.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.
