Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Rotating Education Station
2025-10-21 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-20 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-19 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-18 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-17 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
2025-10-21 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-10-20 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-10-19 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-10-18 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
2025-10-21 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-20 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-19 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-18 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.

Coffee on the Canopy
2025-10-21 08:30 - 22:00
Coffee on the Canopy: Celebrate the Fall Equinox
Tuesday, October 21 | 8:30 AM – 10 AM
Adults only; Registration appreciated, but not required

Greet the day high among the treetops on the VINS Canopy Walk at this free, adults-only cultivation series. Before our opening hours, sip coffee and savor fresh pastries as the morning sun lights up the Ottauquechee River and the first colors of autumn. Enjoy conversation with our Executive Director and staff in a peaceful forest setting.
Refreshments provided by King Arthur Baking Company.
Generously sponsored by Kate & Co. Real Estate.
For more information contact us at development@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Predators of the Sky
2025-10-20 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-10-19 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-10-18 15:00 - 15:30, 2025-10-17 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
2025-10-20 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-10-19 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-10-18 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-10-17 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
2025-10-20 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-10-19 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-10-18 14:00 - 14:20, 2025-10-17 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.

Screen Time & Growing Minds: What the Science Tells Us
2025-10-19 16:00 - 17:00
Screen Time & Growing Minds: What the Science Tells Us
Series Kickoff Event with Dr. Bill Hudenko
Sunday, October 19 | 4 PM – 5 PM
Free | Registration Required
Join us at VINS Nature Center for an essential conversation about one of today’s most challenging parenting topics: social media, phone use, and creating healthy digital boundaries for our children.
Dr. Bill Hudenko, a professor at Dartmouth College, Geisel School of Medicine and Chief Clinical Officer of Jimini Health, will kick off a series of events designed for all parents—whether your children haven’t yet entered the digital world or are already navigating smartphones and social media. Dr. Hudenko will ground us in the science: what we know about how young brains respond to phone use and evidence-based insights on healthy technology boundaries for families.
This event launches a new series of ongoing discussions hosted at VINS*, providing a judgment-free environment where we can connect and learn together. Whether you’re dreading the phone conversation or already managing devices daily in your house, this is an invitation to join other Upper Valley families for real conversations about the challenges we all face. No perfect parents required—just caring ones doing their best in our digital age.
*After this event, participants will have the opportunity to sign up for ongoing conversations and future speakers based on life stage: parents of teenagers, parents of younger kids, not currently parenting but curious, etc. Depending on interest, we may host an event specifically for teenagers as well. These will run through the fall and winter at the Nature Center.

About Bill Hudenko, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine
Chief Clinical Officer, Jimini Health
Bill Hudenko, Ph.D. has significant experience in the fields of both mental health and technology. Dr. Hudenko is a licensed psychologist, a researcher, and a professor who holds a joint appointment as a faculty member at Dartmouth’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. His research focuses on the use of technology to improve mental health delivery and patient outcomes. Dr. Hudenko has broad expertise in clinical psychology with an emphasis in child psychopathology and family systems. He has worked with hundreds of clients and has taught thousands of students during his tenure at Dartmouth, Cornell University, and Ithaca College.
Dr. Hudenko is also an experienced entrepreneur and is the former CEO of Trusst Health Inc., Voi Inc. and Incente, LLC – all successful mental health tech startups designed to transform the delivery of mental healthcare through technology. Dr. Hudenko is currently the Chief Clinical Officer at Jimini Health, a company utilizing AI to augment human therapists.
Dr. Hudenko received his BA from the University of Michigan, his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University, and his PostDoc from Dartmouth College.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Hawk on the Walk
2025-10-19 16:00, 2025-10-18 16:00, 2025-10-17 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.
