Amphibian Adventure
2026-03-21 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Amphibian Adventure
Saturday, March 21
3 PM – 4 PM / Neale Pavilion
First Rainy Evening / 7 PM On-call: Salamander Bucket Brigade / Dewey Mills tract
Free and open to the public, all ages.
Register here.
Registration suggested, but not required. If you are coming to the Nature Center only for this event, admission is free. If you are planning to spend time at the Nature Center before the event, General Admission is required.
Why did the salamander cross the road?
To get to the vernal pool!
Join us for Amphibian Adventure on March 21st to learn how you can help our amphibian neighbors safely travel to their spring homes. A VINS educator will teach you about this fascinating migration and give you the know-how to safely be an amphibian crossing guard.
On the first rainy nights of spring, when the temperature is above 40°F amphibians like the Spotted Salamander, Jefferson Salamander, Wood Frog, and Spring Peeper awaken from their winter slumber and leave their underground winter burrows and embark on a journey back to their birthplace. Hundreds of thousands of these creatures leave their forested wintering grounds to travel to vernal pools, temporary bodies of water, to mate and lay their eggs. This mass migration marks the annual event known as the “big night”. But this journey is not without peril, this migration can become dangerous when paths cross roads, but you can help! You can avoid driving on big nights, or you can join our team of salamander crossing guards to help shuttle amphibians across the road. To see when the next big night is going to happen check out this handy forecast.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Natural Wonders
2026-03-22 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-23 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-24 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-25 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-27 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-28 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-03-29 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.*
Location changes daily – inquire at the Nature Store.
*Includes a live animal on Saturdays and Sundays only.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Raptors Up Close
2026-03-22 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-23 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-24 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-25 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-26 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-27 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-28 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.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2026-03-22 12:30 - 12:50, 2026-03-23 12:30 - 12:50, 2026-03-24 12:30 - 12:50, 2026-03-25 12:30 - 12:50, 2026-03-26 12:30 - 12:50, 2026-03-27 12:30 - 12:50, 2026-03-28 12:30 - 12:50
Songbird Aviary Tour
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Spend some time in 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
2026-03-22 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-23 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-24 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-25 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-26 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-27 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-28 14:00 - 14:30
Raptor Feeding Time
2:00 PM – 2:30 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.

Forest Storytime
2026-03-26 10:30 - 11:00
Forest Storytime
Winter Sessions: JAN 8, 15, 22, 29, FEB 5, 12
Spring Sessions: MAR 19, 26, APR 2, 9, 16, 23
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Join an Educator for our early learner’s storytime sessions. We’ll read stories, play games, sing songs, and laugh with puppets. Each session will focus on a different topic to learn about animals, plants, or other wonders of nature. This experience is designed to help promote connection, exploration, curiosity, and joy for the outdoors.
This program is for children 5 and younger. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to purchase admission tickets at the Nature Store – you’ll be directed to the location on campus.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.
