Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Songbird Aviary Tour
2025-07-16 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-17 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-18 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-19 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-07-20 14:00 - 14:20 (America/New_York)
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.

Raptor Feeding Time
2025-07-16 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-17 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-18 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-19 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
2025-07-16 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-17 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-18 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-19 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.

Predators of the Sky
2025-07-17 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-18 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-19 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-20 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
2025-07-17 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-18 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-19 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-07-20 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.

Robert Frost Through the Seasons: Summer
2025-07-17 15:30 - 17:00 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Summer Poems: Thursdays, July 17 & 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
Register today. Advanced registration required as space is limited.
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.

Natural Wonders
2025-07-18 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-07-19 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-07-20 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.

Hawk on the Walk
2025-07-18 16:00, 2025-07-19 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.

Drawing from Nature: Pollinators and Good Garden Bugs
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Drawing from Nature: Pollinators and Good Garden Bugs
A Workshop with Watercolor and Ink
Saturday, July 19 / 9 AM – 12 PM
General Public: $52, VINS Members: $47
Registration required as space is limited. Register Today
Other Drawing from Nature class dates

Saturday, August 16 – Predators of the Sky
Saturday, September 20 – Fall Botanicals

We will begin this second class of our Drawing from Nature Series by exploring the summer wildflowers blooming in the VINS meadow. While outside, we’ll look closely at the diversity of pollinators visiting these blossoms and discuss identification techniques. Then, we’ll bring our references (both photos and specimens) indoors to experiment with brushstrokes and color. We will spend the rest of the workshop creating images in our nature journals.
Learn tips and tricks for drawing as well as for creating vivid pages that depict personal natural history experiences. Drawing, sketching, and watercolor, experience not necessary, all skill levels welcome.
This is the second class in our Drawing from Nature 2025 workshops. Join us for one class or the whole series. Sign up for multiple sessions and get a $5 discount on all classes. Use discount code MULTI25 in your cart.
Participant Details:
Spend a full day at VINS. Purchase discounted admission to the VINS Nature Center for $5. Discount available only to registered participants on the day of the workshop.
This workshop is designed for adults 18 and up. Interested youth 10 and up may participate with an adult. No registration fee required for an adult accompanying a youth participant unless the adult also plans to participate in the workshop.
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 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Forest Fairy Hunts
2025-07-19 10:00 - 15:00
Forest Fairy Hunts
Saturday, July 19
10 AM – 3 PM
Included with general admission
Where do milkweed pods become bathtubs and beds, and acorn caps become dinnerware? In Fairy Town at VINS, of course! Join the Fairy Court to help search the forest for our hidden fairy friends in a scavenger hunt adventure! Forest Fairy hunts offer children and their families a unique opportunity to learn about and connect with the natural world and to nurture respect for the environment.
After the hunt get hands on in nature by using natural materials to build your very own fairy house at VINS Fairy Town.
Wearing wings is encouraged! Recommended for ages 4 and up.
For more information contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Yoga in the Canopy
2025-07-20 09:00 - 10:15 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
Yoga in the Canopy
Sundays, July 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 VINS’ 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.
